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How do temperature changes influence dormancy?
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Dormancy
Virginia big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianushibernating) are true hibernators, entering a state close to death for much of the winter.
Temperature changes are a primary environmental factor influencing the onset and termination of dormancy across various organisms. Because most species exist within a specific thermal range, temperatures exceeding these limits can induce a dormant state to protect the organism from environmental stress.1
Influence on Animals
- Cold-blooded vertebrates: For reptiles, low temperatures directly induce a state of torpor known as brumation. They seek underground niches to avoid freezing, and their emergence is often triggered by rising temperatures in the spring.2
- Warm-blooded vertebrates: While homoiotherms maintain stable body temperatures, some can enter hibernation or estivation in response to extreme cold or heat, respectively, by adjusting their metabolic rates.3
- Insects: Temperature, often in combination with photoperiod, regulates the endocrine system to trigger diapause, a period of suspended development.45
Influence on Plants
Temperature is critical for breaking seed dormancy. Many species require a period of cold, known as stratification, to complete afterripening before they can germinate. Additionally, seasonal temperature shifts help regulate the formation of resting buds in trees, while specific temperature fluctuations can signal to seeds that they are at an optimal depth for growth.67