DOI: 10.5061/dryad.g79cnp5vw
title: Data from: hibernation telomere dynamics in a shifting climate: insights from wild greater horseshoe bats

description: Hibernation is linked with various hypotheses to explain the extended
 lifespan of hibernating mammals compared with their non-hibernating
 counterparts. Studies on telomeres, markers of ageing and somatic
 maintenance, suggest telomere shortening slows during hibernation and
 lengthening may reflect self-maintenance with favourable conditions. Bats
 in temperate zones adjust body temperatures during winter torpor to
 conserve energy and exploit mild conditions for foraging. Climate change
 may impact the hibernation cycle of bats, but more research is needed
 regarding the role of telomeres in understanding their response to a
 changing climate. Here relative telomere length (rTL) was measured in the
 long-lived greater horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (n = 223
 individuals) over three winters, considering climatic conditions.
 Cross-sectional analyses revealed between-individual variation in rTL with
 a strong year effect, likely linked to varying weather conditions and
 foraging success. Additionally, within-individual increases of rTL
 occurred in 51% of consecutive measurements, with evidence of increasing
 telomerase expression during hibernation in this species. These findings
 highlight the beneficial effects of hibernation on telomeres and potential
 consequences of changing climatic conditions for long-lived temperate
 bats. Understanding the interplay between hibernation, telomeres, and
 climate can provide insights into the adaptive capacity and survival of
 bat populations facing environmental challenges.
description: Power et al (2023) Hibernation telomere dynamics in a shifting climate:
 insights from wild greater horseshoe bats. Proceedings of the Royal
 Society B: Biological Sciences
 #\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~# #### Woodchester population data re-use: **PLEASE READ BEFORE USE OF DATA** The files attached contain data from a long-term project monitoring a population of wild greater horseshoe bats in Gloucestershire. Data from this population has been collected by Dr Roger Ransome since 1959, in addition to several other researchers. If you plan to use the data, there are a number of reasons of why it would be helpful to contact Dr Roger Ransome (rogerransome@hotmail.com) first. Data can be subject to change due to occasional errors, record merges and continuous updating of the pedigree. Multiple projects are currently ongoing and it would be preferable to avoid duplication of efforts. All identities and family relationships have been recoded and are not linked to previous archival data from previous papers from this population. #\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~# There are two datasets associated with this paper: 1. Power\_rTLData\_Proceedings.txt 2. Power\_WeatherData\_Proceedings.txt Variable descriptions for Power\_rTLData\_Proceedings.txt: ###### ID: Unique ID for individual bats (recoded) ###### SEX: Sex of individual (F/M) ###### FORE: Forearm length of individual (mm) ###### WEIGHT: Weight of individual (mm) ###### BCI: Body condition of individual ###### YBIRTH: Year individual was born ###### Exact\_AGE: If exact age is known (Y/N) ###### AGEY: Age (in years) ###### Hib\_Year: Hibernation year rTL was sampled ###### Hib\_Session: Hibernation session rTL was sampled ###### TL\_Z: Relative telomere length (z-score) ###### PlateID: qPCR plate ID ###### SampleStorage: Time sample was stored before DNA extraction (in days) ###### DNAStorage: Time sample was stored post DNA extraction (in days) ###### MLINE: Matriline of individual (recoded) Variable descriptions for Power\_WeatherData\_Proceedings.txt: ###### Date: Date of weather measurement ###### Rain: Daily rainfall (mm) ###### Average: Daily average temperature (C) NA in Rain and Average columns codes to missing data.