Journal of thermal biology最新文献

Recently, the red cotton bug has become a significant menace to cotton in India. With the potential for increased habitat suitability due to predicted temperature rise of 2.5 °C under future climate change in India, this pest could become even more severe in certain regions. Addressing the knowledge gap on the temperature-driven population growth of this pest is crucial for developing a climate-resilient pest management strategy. In this study, life history data gathered at various constant temperatures (15 °C-35 °C) were used to estimate temperature thresholds and thermal requirements for the red cotton bug development. Stochastic estimation of life table parameters and validation with real-time weather data were performed. The phenology model, integrated into a geographic information system, projected the future pest status based on SSP126 temperature change scenarios for the year 2050. The temperatures between 8.35 and 10.83 °C were estimated as lower developmental thresholds for various immature life stages. The optimum and upper threshold temperatures estimated for different life stages ranged between 22.14 - 28.32 °C and 35.80-39.08 °C, respectively. Thermal requirements of 447.97° days for life cycle completion were estimated. The optimum immature survival rates (>70%) were observed at temperatures between 25 and 30 °C. The temperature-dependent decrease in generation times from 90.45 days (15 °C) to 25.44 days (35 °C) was observed, whereas maximum fecundity was recorded at 32 °C. Simulation at fluctuating temperatures across different cotton growing locations provided reasonably similar results on potential population increase (finite rate of increase: 0.99-1.04 females/female/day and a generation time of 44.25-83.97 days). Risk mapping highlighted moderate to high suitability (ERI >0.4, GI > 6, and AI >4) of various cotton growing areas under current climate, and projected shifts in suitability under future climate change. The study has generated information valuable for implementing effective and timely pest management strategies for red cotton bug. Integrating the field observations with model outputs can enhance a practical understanding of red cotton bug dynamics.

Winter activity of hibernating mammals is likely to be influenced by climate change. Our study focuses on Nyctalus noctula, a non-cavernous hibernator using artificial roosts in a recently colonized winter region. Using continuous acoustic monitoring and temperature measurements inside and outside the roosts, we found that bats exhibit a circadian cycle (active at night, resting during the day) even during hibernation season. Activity duration and intensity changed in response to ambient temperature, photoperiod, and hibernation progression. Warm ambient temperatures led to increased nighttime activity, extending the duration of the active phase. As photoperiod increased, the rest phase lengthened, while the overall magnitude of activity decreased from the beginning to the end of the hibernation period. Below 0 °C vocal activity was nearly zero indicating a minimal probability of bat activity during both day and night. The species recent success in extending its hibernation range northward may be attributed to its flexible adjustment to prevailing environmental conditions. Nevertheless, it remains uncertain whether engaging in daily activity at temperatures above 0 °C confers any advantages at northern latitudes to prevent premature energy depletion. The persistence of circadian activity during winter could be a relic behavior, adapted from historical patterns of wintering in insect-rich and warm southern latitudes.