Seasonal Hair Glucocorticoid Fluctuations in Wild Mice (Phyllotis darwini) within a Semi-Arid Landscape in North-Central Chile

Author:

Veloso-Frías Joseline1,Soto-Gamboa Mauricio2ORCID,Mastromonaco Gabriela3,Acosta-Jamett Gerardo14ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Austral University of Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile

2. Institute of Environmental and Evolutionary Sciences, Austral University of Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile

3. Reproductive Physiology, Toronto Zoo, Toronto, ON M1B 5K7, Canada

4. Center for Surveillance and Evolution of Infectious Diseases (CSEID), Austral University of Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile

Abstract

Mammals in drylands face environmental challenges exacerbated by climate change. Currently, human activity significantly impacts these environments, and its effects on the energy demands experienced by individuals have not yet been determined. Energy demand in organisms is managed through elevations in glucocorticoid levels, which also vary with developmental and health states. Here, we assessed how anthropization, individual characteristics, and seasonality influence hair glucocorticoid concentration in the Darwin’s leaf-eared mouse (Phyllotis darwini) inhabiting two areas with contrasting anthropogenic intervention in a semi-arid ecosystem of northern Chile. Hair samples were collected (n = 199) to quantify hair corticosterone concentration (HCC) using enzyme immunoassays; additionally, sex, body condition, and ectoparasite load were recorded. There were no differences in HCC between anthropized areas and areas protected from human disturbance; however, higher concentrations were recorded in females, and seasonal fluctuations were experienced by males. The results indicate that animals inhabiting semi-arid ecosystems are differentially stressed depending on their sex. Additionally, sex and season have a greater impact on corticosterone concentration than anthropogenic perturbation, possibly including temporal factors, precipitation, and primary production. The influence of sex and seasonality on HCC in P. darwini make it necessary to include these variables in future stress assessments of this species.

Funder

Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo

Publisher

MDPI AG

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