The key to winter survival: daily torpor in a small arid-zone marsupial

@article{Krtner2008TheKT,
  title={The key to winter survival: daily torpor in a small arid-zone marsupial},
  author={Gerhard K{\"o}rtner and Fritz Geiser},
  journal={Naturwissenschaften},
  year={2008},
  volume={96},
  pages={525-530}
}
Mammalian hibernation, which lasts on average for about 6 months, can reduce energy expenditure by >90% in comparison to active individuals. In contrast, the widely held view is that daily torpor reduces energy expenditure usually by about 30%, is employed for a few hours every few days, and often occurs only under acute energetic stress. This interpretation is largely based on laboratory studies, whereas knowledge on daily torpor in the field is scant. We used temperature telemetry to quantify… 
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  • T. Ruf, F. Geiser
  • Biology
    Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society
  • 2015
TLDR
The analysis strongly supports the view that hibernators and daily heterotherms are functionally distinct groups that probably have been subject to disruptive selection.
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TLDR
Given that taxonomically related species can and do use torpor, it remains to be determined what makes heterothermy in this species costly to the extent that its use is precluded.
Seasonal Expression of Avian and Mammalian Daily Torpor and Hibernation: Not a Simple Summer-Winter Affair†
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  • Environmental Science
    Frontiers in Physiology
  • 2020
TLDR
Seasonal use of torpor is complex and differs among species and habitats, with strong seasonality mainly found in the sciurid and cricetid rodents, but seasonality is less pronounced in the marsupials, bats and dormice.
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