Researchers at University of Manitoba find connection between ground squirrels and climate change
Ground squirrels and climate change, how are these two things connected?
University of Manitoba researchers have found a link between the two subjects and it has to do with the rodents' feet and sperm.
Miya Warrington and Jane Waterman, two researchers at the U of M, recently discovered some male Richardson's ground squirrels came out of hibernation during a warm winter and they had non-motile sperm.
The researchers said this was caused by the warmer-than-normal temperatures which caused the ground squirrels to end hibernation early.
Despite "shooting blanks" out of hibernation, the researchers said it didn't impact the number of young that were born this time.
"It could have gone badly. You could've had a year of not having as many young," said Warrington in an interview with CTV News.
However, this discovery led the researchers to look at ground squirrels in Africa.
Waterman has run a research project in South Africa on a population of Cape ground squirrels and had already compiled data on the animals over the years.
The researchers found the temperatures had risen by more than two degrees over the last 20 years where the ground squirrels were living and as a result, they noticed the rodents now have larger feet and smaller bodies.
The larger feet and smaller bodies help the animals cool down faster in the hot climate.
Warrington said these changes may seem small and not overly significant but it is something to keep an eye on.
"The thing about (ground squirrels), they are ecosystem engineers. So, these little ground squirrels, they create these burrows in clusters across the grasslands. And this actually contributes to the diversity of other animals there," said Warrington. "So if these guys even start changing how they behave, as well as their foot size and social behaviours, you could see changes in the ecosystem."
Warrington said they don't know yet if these changes can be classified as good or bad but there are several scenarios that they could speculate on.
"Maybe they are cooling down, but maybe it affects their ability to run away from predators...the other thing is if bodies are getting smaller, does that mean burrows are going to get smaller and change the landscape a bit, and what animals can use it. We don't know some of this stuff, but it's all things to think about because they are changing their environment just by being there. Anything that affects them could potentially affect the rest of the ecosystem."
She said people don't ignore the fatal impacts of climate change such as large wildfires or flooding, but added we can't ignore the non-lethal impacts either, like ground squirrel feet size, saying these seemingly little impacts now could lead to larger effects in the future.
"I think when we really think about these small effects, I think it's just to be mindful that these effects are occurring. Don't ignore them and just say, 'We're only going to look at the big things, only big things matter.' The small ones, they're indicators that something is going on."
The findings of Waterman and Warrington were published in the Journal of Mammalogy.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Thieves use stolen forklift to rip cash machine out of U.K. bank
Police in the U.K. are searching for a group of suspects seen on video using a forklift to steal a cash machine from a bank.
'There was a lot of black smoke': Crane operator sounds alarm while trapped during highrise fire in Halifax
A tower crane operator alerted emergency crews after noticing a fire on a construction site in Halifax Tuesday morning.