Seasonal and environmental influences upon the diurnal heart-rate pattern in wild rabbits living under seminatural conditions.
Diurnal patterns in the heart-rates (HR) of 16 wild European rabbits have been studied, based on more than 1200 days of radiotelemetrical HR recordings. HR shows a distinct diurnal rhythm which is closely coupled to the diurnal pattern of activity for free ranging animals. The rabbits' activity phase, accompanied by high HRs extends from late afternoon to early morning. It is followed by diurnal rest with low HRs, irrespective of burrow utilization. This diurnal resting phase is often interrupted by short excursions outside the burrow. The duration of the activity phase and the times of onset and cessation of activity are very stable across different individuals and over three years of measurement. Disturbances of this stable seasonal pattern are by predation and by weather influences. The importance of light cycle and human disturbances as synchronizers for diurnal HR pattern in wild rabbits is discussed.
Eisermann
K
K
Department of Animal Physiology, University of Bayreuth, West Germany.
D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000502:physiology*; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006339:Heart Rate; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D011235:Predatory Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D011817:Rabbits / Q000502:physiology*; D012621:Seasons; D012931:Social Environment; D014887:Weather