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period*sex (p = 0.2) but varied with period ^3,73 = 4.6, p < 0.01) and sex (F_Jt73=37.2, p< 0.0001). Lean dry mass increased by 5.7% between fali and midwinter (Tukey: p<0.05) then decreased by 7.6% between midwinter and summer (Tukey: p < 0.01) (figurę 4.2). When controlling for size, males (1.46 ± 0.02 g) had on average 10.3% morę lean dry mass than females (1.32 ± 0.02 g).

Figurę 4.2 Seasonal variation in body mass and lean dry body mass throughout the year. Data are least square mean obtained from a GLM including period, sex, relative time of capture and period*sex as independent variables as well as body size as covariate. Different letters represent significant difference between periods.

Whole BMR did not vary with sex (p = 0.1) or the interaction term period*sex (p = 0.06) but varied with period (F_3t73 = 3.2, p < 0.05). BMR increased, although not significantly inpost-hoc analyses, by 4.1% from fali to midwinter (Tukey: p = 0.3) and then decreased significantly by 5.8% by the end of winter (Tukey: p < 0.05) to remain stable until summer (Tukey: p = 1.0) (figurę 4.3a). Mass-independent BMR (lean dry mass: Fi,₇₄= 46.2, p < 0.0001) was only related to sex (Fj.74 = 8.5, p<0.01) with females (0.265 ±0.003 W) expressing on average a BMR 5.6% higher than males (0.251 ± 0.003 W) (effect of period and period* sex p > 0.1 in both cases).