International Journal of Molecular Zoology 2024, Vol.14, No.3, 182-196 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/ijmz 189 changes are driven by the need to adapt to the urban environment, which often involves increased human presence and altered resource availability. Additionally, urban mammals tend to produce larger litters, and traits such as body size, behavioral plasticity, and diet diversity play varying roles in their adaptation to urban settings (Santini et al., 2018). Studies on non-commensal rodents, such as the common vole, have shown that urban populations exhibit higher risk-taking and exploratory behaviors compared to their rural counterparts, which may be due to behavioral flexibility rather than genetic differences (Depasquale et al., 2020; Mazza et al., 2020). This behavioral plasticity is crucial for coping with the rapid environmental changes induced by urbanization. By examining these case studies, we gain a deeper understanding of the diverse adaptive strategies employed by mammals to survive and thrive in varying environments, from the extreme cold of the Arctic to the arid deserts and bustling urban landscapes. 7 Impacts of Climate Change on Mammalian Adaptations 7.1 Shifts in habitat and distribution Climate change is driving significant shifts in the habitat and distribution of mammalian species. As temperatures rise and precipitation patterns change, many species are moving to new areas to find suitable environmental conditions. For instance, species are migrating poleward or to higher elevations to escape the heat (Pecl et al., 2017). This redistribution can lead to novel ecosystems and altered ecological communities, which may disrupt existing species interactions and create new ones. Additionally, the realized climatic niche of many terrestrial mammals is shrinking due to climate change and human activities, with over half of the studied species experiencing a reduction in their niche (Moreno et al., 2020; Marco et al., 2021). Marine mammals are also affected (Chikina et al., 2016), with high-latitude species experiencing some of the most significant habitat changes due to melting ice and changing sea temperatures (Silber et al., 2017). 7.2 Alterations in food availability and diet Climate change is altering the availability and distribution of food resources, which in turn affects the diet of mammalian species. For example, the endangered brown bear population in the Cantabrian Mountains is expected to face a decline in the availability of key plant species that serve as their main food sources due to climate warming (Penteriani et al., 2019). This reduction in food availability may force bears to shift towards a more carnivorous diet, increasing conflicts with livestock farmers and affecting their fat storage before hibernation. Similarly, unpredictable food supply due to climate change can influence the endocrine and metabolic functions of terrestrial mammals, impacting their survival and persistence (Fuller et al., 2020). 7.3 Changes in reproductive timing and success Climate change is also affecting the reproductive timing and success of mammalian species. Many species rely on photoperiod cues to time their reproduction with optimal food availability. However, climate change is causing mismatches between these cues and actual environmental conditions, leading to suboptimal breeding times (Walker et al., 2019). For instance, African wild dogs have shown a climate-induced phenological shift that is contributing to lower reproductive success, highlighting the complexity of species' responses to climate change (Abrahms et al., 2022). Additionally, the potential for genetic adaptation to climate change may provide some buffer against these impacts, but it is not guaranteed to prevent declines in reproductive success across all taxa (Meester et al., 2018; (Razgour et al., 2019). In summary, climate change is driving significant shifts in habitat and distribution, altering food availability and diet, and affecting reproductive timing and success in mammalian species. These changes underscore the need for dynamic conservation strategies that consider the multifaceted impacts of climate change on mammalian adaptations. 8 Human Influence on Mammalian Adaptation 8.1 Habitat destruction and fragmentation Human activities have led to significant habitat loss and fragmentation, which have profound effects on mammalian populations (Gaynor et al., 2018). A meta-analysis revealed that habitat fragmentation decreases
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