Associations between over‐winter survival and resting metabolic rate in juvenile North American red squirrels

Abstract

Summary 1. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) varies considerably among and within species. Two central questions in physiological ecology are whether values of RMR are repeatable and whether an association exists between RMR and fitness. 2. First, we investigated the repeatability of RMR in food hoarding, juvenile, North American red squirrels ( Tamiasciurus hudsonicus Erxleben). Second, we explored links between RMR and survival. A low RMR may enhance survival if it reduces winter expenditure costs and/or allows more energy to be allocated towards autumn food hoarding. Alternately, a high RMR may enhance survival if it enables juveniles to hoard more food by increasing the throughput of energy available for investment in hoarding activities. 3. Resting metabolic rate adjusted for body mass, was repeatable in both males and females ( r = 0·77) over a short‐term (mean 24·3 days) but only among females ( r = 0·72) over a long‐term interval (mean 192 days). 4. Heavier juveniles and those with a lower RMR relative to their body mass were more likely to survive over‐winter. Multiple selection models found significant selection for a decreased RMR (β′ = −0·56 ± 0·16) and increased mass (β′ = 0·69 ± 0·17). Survivors also tended to have more food stored within their hoard. 5. A low RMR relative to body mass and large body mass may have allowed individuals to minimize the expenditure costs related to a larger body mass, while maximizing thermal inertia.