Bridging environment, physiology and life history: stress hormones in the Edible Dormouse (Glis glis)

The performance of wild animals is impacted by diverse challenges imposed the environment and distinct life history stages such as breeding hibernation. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are hormonal mediators that reflect response to these challenges, exerting their far-reaching effects on numerous processes energy allocation, immunity behavior. Whereas short term elevations GC levels crucial for survival, activation emergency stage, chronically increased GCs capable impairing various body functions ultimately hamper survival reproduction. aim this study was disentangle reproductive activity, prolonged food limitation hibernation stress hormone in Edible Dormouse ( Glis glis ) link them formerly observed rates. We therefore measured urinary cortisol Dormice South-western Germany during active season (2012-2014). Results our revealed activity associated with high levels. During mating season, particular individuals a low mass had Elevated were also pre-hibernation fattening females invested Thus, reproduction represents demanding, potentially stressful, event both sexes linked distinctly lowered rates occurring years activity. Prolonged mast failure, did not affect mortality, demonstrating ability dormice predict cope restriction.