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
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Here's what 'the hinge' move is, how to do it correctly
When you're picking something up from the floor or bending over to tie your shoe laces, you're performing "the hinge move," according to movement trainers.
Tips to make a house or apartment safe and accessible for older adults living at home
Here's a summary of tips from the U.S. National Institute on Aging and AARP, which offers a free room-by-room guide with practical suggestions for older adults living independently.
Here are some gardening questions, answers
When it comes to gardening, a lot of questions come up, including the best way to keep pets away from plants, maintaining your lawn and keeping the dandelions at bay.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.