Animals in urban areas can be exposed to human-mediated land use change and radiant
heat (called urban heat island effect). Few studies have empirically evaluated the effects of …

Measurements of body condition are typically used to assess an individual's quality, health,
or energetic state. Most indices of body condition are based on linear relationships between …

Hibernation is an adaptive strategy that allows animals to enter a hypometabolic state,
conserving energy and enhancing their fitness by surviving harsh environmental conditions …

Animals exposed to stressful developmental conditions can experience sustained
physiological, behavioral, and fitness effects. While extensive research shows how …

Hibernation (ie, seasonal or multiday torpor) has been described in mammals from five
continents and represents an important adaptation for energy economy. However, direct …

Conservation biology relies on understanding how animals are affected by human-induced
changes in their environment. We explored the influence of habitat types, seasons, and …

Predictions indicate that birds worldwide will be affected by global warming and extreme
climatic events which is especially relevant for passerines because the diurnal habits, small …

Abstract Background Condition indices (CIs) are used in ecological studies as a way of
measuring an individual animal's health and fitness. Noninvasive CIs are estimations of a …

Freshwater turtles are one of the most imperilled groups of vertebrates globally, and roads
have been associated with their decline. Although roads are typically viewed as an imminent …

Body composition (the total amount of fat mass, lean mass, minerals and water that
constitute the body) is an important measure for understanding an animal's physiology …