Dehnel's phenomenon

Javier Lázaro; Dina K N Dechmann

doi:10.1016/j.cub.2021.04.006

Dehnel's phenomenon

Curr Biol. 2021 May 24;31(10):R463-R465. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.04.006.

Authors

Javier Lázaro¹, Dina K N Dechmann²

Affiliations

¹ Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Radolfzell, Germany; Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany. Electronic address: jlazaro@ab.mpg.de.
² Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Radolfzell, Germany; Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.

PMID: 34033763
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.04.006

Abstract

Lázaro and Dechmann explain how some mammals that live through harsh winters exhibit seasonal shrinkage of the brain and skull, a process called Dehnel's phenomenon, which helps to spare energy during times of food shortage and high energetic demands.

MeSH terms

Animals
Brain*
Energy Metabolism
Mammals*
Seasons
Skull*