Does altitudinal difference modulate the respiratory properties in subterranean rodents' (Cryptomys hottentotus mahali) blood?

2006 ◽  
Vol 88 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 77-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marna S. Broekman ◽  
Nigel C. Bennett ◽  
Craig R. Jackson ◽  
Roy E. Weber
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Rodents ◽  
Altitudinal Difference

scholarly journals Heat dissipation in subterranean rodents: the role of body region and social organisation

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
František Vejmělka ◽  
Jan Okrouhlík ◽  
Matěj Lövy ◽  
Gabriel Šaffa ◽  
Eviatar Nevo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Heat Dissipation ◽  
Ventral Surface ◽  
Body Region ◽  
Subterranean Rodents ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Social Species ◽  
Body Regions ◽  
Body Heat ◽  
Solitary Species

AbstractThe relatively warm and very humid environment of burrows presents a challenge for thermoregulation of its mammalian inhabitants. It was found that African mole-rats dissipate body heat mainly through their venter, and social mole-rats dissipate more body heat compared to solitary species at lower temperatures. In addition, the pattern of the ventral surface temperature was suggested to be homogeneous in social mole-rats compared to a heterogeneous pattern in solitary mole-rats. To investigate this for subterranean rodents generally, we measured the surface temperatures of seven species with different degrees of sociality, phylogeny, and climate using infrared thermography. In all species, heat dissipation occurred mainly through the venter and the feet. Whereas the feet dissipated body heat at higher ambient temperatures and conserved it at lower ambient temperatures, the ventral surface temperature was relatively high in all temperatures indicating that heat dissipation to the environment through this body region is regulated mainly by behavioural means. Solitary species dissipated less heat through their dorsum than social species, and a tendency for this pattern was observed for the venter. The pattern of heterogeneity of surface temperature through the venter was not related to sociality of the various species. Our results demonstrate a general pattern of body heat exchange through the three studied body regions in subterranean rodents. Besides, isolated individuals of social species are less able to defend themselves against low ambient temperatures, which may handicap them if staying alone for a longer period, such as during and after dispersal events.

scholarly journals Searching for signatures of positive selection in cytochrome b gene associated with subterranean lifestyle in fast-evolving arvicolines (Arvicolinae, Cricetidae, Rodentia)

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga V. Bondareva ◽  
Nadezhda A. Potapova ◽  
Kirill A. Konovalov ◽  
Tatyana V. Petrova ◽  
Natalia I. Abramson
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Oxidative Phosphorylation ◽  
Adaptive Evolution ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Subterranean Rodents ◽  
Amino Acid Sequence Variation ◽  
Tertiary Protein Structure ◽  
Metabolic Performance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Subterranean Species

Abstract Background Mitochondrial genes encode proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation. Variations in lifestyle and ecological niche can be directly reflected in metabolic performance. Subterranean rodents represent a good model for testing hypotheses on adaptive evolution driven by important ecological shifts. Voles and lemmings of the subfamily Arvicolinae (Rodentia: Cricetidae) provide a good example for studies of adaptive radiation. This is the youngest group within the order Rodentia showing the fastest rates of diversification, including the transition to the subterranean lifestyle in several phylogenetically independent lineages. Results We evaluated the signatures of selection in the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytB) gene in 62 Arvicolinae species characterized by either subterranean or surface-dwelling lifestyle by assessing amino acid sequence variation, exploring the functional consequences of the observed variation in the tertiary protein structure, and estimating selection pressure. Our analysis revealed that: (1) three of the convergent amino acid substitutions were found among phylogenetically distant subterranean species and (2) these substitutions may have an influence on the protein complex structure, (3) cytB showed an increased ω and evidence of relaxed selection in subterranean lineages, relative to non-subterranean, and (4) eight protein domains possess increased nonsynonymous substitutions ratio in subterranean species. Conclusions Our study provides insights into the adaptive evolution of the cytochrome b gene in the Arvicolinae subfamily and its potential implications in the molecular mechanism of adaptation. We present a framework for future characterizations of the impact of specific mutations on the function, physiology, and interactions of the mtDNA-encoded proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation.

Taxonomy of Ctenomys (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae) in northwestern Patagonia, Argentina: the occurrence of the “mendocinus” lineage

Mammalia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro N. Tammone ◽  
Ulyses F.J. Pardiñas
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Subterranean Rodents ◽  
Mammalian Fauna ◽  
Southern South America ◽  
Monte Desert ◽  
Desert Shrub ◽  
Northern Patagonia ◽  
Northern Portion

Abstract Subterranean rodents Ctenomys are iconic representatives of the mammalian fauna from southern South America. Based on molecular data, eight lineages have been identified within the genus, although species-level identifications and relationships are still debated. Until now, the “magellanicus” clade has been the only lineage mentioned from arid, extra-Andean portions of Patagonia. Here, we report the presence of a Ctenomys population from northern Patagonia that is unambiguously associated with the Central Argentinean “mendocinus” lineage. Most of the 160,000 km2 comprising the northern portion of Patagonia – an area consisting primarily of Monte Desert shrub-land – are inhabited by Ctenomys populations of unknown taxonomy.

scholarly journals Variasi Morfologi Bambu Tali [Gigantochloa apus (Schult.F.) Kurz.] pada berbagai ketinggian tempat di Sub Daerah Aliran Sungai Pelus

Biosfera ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tria Fauzi Prabandani Hakim ◽  
Pudji Widodo ◽  
Eming Sudiana
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Blade ◽  
Morphological Character ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Close Correlation ◽  
Sea Levels ◽  
Morphological Variations ◽  
Blade Length ◽  
Central Java ◽  
Altitudinal Difference ◽  
Difference Effect

A study on the morphological variation of tali bamboo [Gigantochloa apus (Schult.f.) Kurz] has been conducted at various altitudes of Sub Watershed Pelus Banyumas, Central Java. This study was aimed at determining the morphological variations in relation to altitudes above sea levels. The method used was survey with stratified sampling.  The variables measured included culm diameter, culm internode length, culm sheath length and width, ovate-triangular blade length and width, leaf blade length and width, stem color and hairs, and altitude. The results of this study indicated that the altitudinal difference effect some morphological characteristics of tali bamboos such as: 1) green young seedling with black hairs found at 200-299 m and 300-399 m asl. 2) morphological variations are effected by altitude. Tali bamboo grows optimally at the altitude of 400 to 499 m asl. The results of regression analysis showed that the altitude has a relatively close correlation with somes of morphological character of tali bamboo.

Visual Systems and the Role of Vision in Subterranean Rodents: Diversity of Retinal Properties and Visual System Designs

2007 ◽  
pp. 129-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavel Němec ◽  
Pavla Cveková ◽  
Hynek Burda ◽  
Oldřich Benada ◽  
Leo Peichl
Keyword(s):  
Visual System ◽  
Subterranean Rodents ◽  
Visual Systems ◽  
System Designs

scholarly journals Convergent reduction of V1R genes in subterranean rodents

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hengwu Jiao ◽  
Wei Hong ◽  
Eviatar Nevo ◽  
Kexin Li ◽  
Huabin Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Rodents

scholarly journals Day and night in the subterranean: measuring daily activity patterns of subterranean rodents (Ctenomys aff. knighti) using bio-logging

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Milene G Jannetti ◽  
C Loren Buck ◽  
Veronica S Valentinuzzi ◽  
Gisele A Oda
Keyword(s):  
Daily Activity ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Total Duration ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Constant Darkness ◽  
Subterranean Rodents ◽  
Monte Desert ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Desert Rodents

Abstract While most studies of the impacts of climate change have investigated shifts in the spatial distribution of organisms, temporal shifts in the time of activity is another important adjustment made by animals in a changing world. Due to the importance of light and temperature cycles in shaping activity patterns, studies of activity patterns of organisms that inhabit extreme environments with respect to the 24-hour cyclicity of Earth have the potential to provide important insights into the interrelationships among abiotic variables, behaviour and physiology. Our previous laboratory studies with Argentinean tuco-tucos from the Monte desert (Ctenomys aff. knighti) show that these subterranean rodents display circadian activity/rest rhythms that can be synchronized by artificial light/dark cycles. Direct observations indicate that tuco-tucos emerge mainly for foraging and for removal of soil from their burrows. Here we used bio-logging devices for individual, long-term recording of daily activity/rest (accelerometry) and time on surface (light-loggers) of six tuco-tucos maintained in outdoor semi-natural enclosures. Environmental variables were measured simultaneously. Activity bouts were detected both during day and night but 77% of the highest values happened during the daytime and 47% of them coincided with time on surface. Statistical analyses indicate time of day and temperature as the main environmental factors modulating time on surface. In this context, the total duration that these subterranean animals spent on surface was high during the winter, averaging 3 h per day and time on surface occurred when underground temperature was lowest. Finally, transport of these animals to the indoor laboratory and subsequent assessment of their activity rhythms under constant darkness revealed a switch in the timing of activity. Plasticity of activity timing is not uncommon among desert rodents and may be adaptive in changing environments, such as the desert where this species lives.

Emmonsiosis of subterranean rodents (Bathyergidae, Spalacidae) in Africa and Israel

2005 ◽  
Vol 43 (8) ◽  
pp. 691-697 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Hubálek ◽  
H. Burda ◽  
A. Scharff ◽  
G. Heth ◽  
E. Nevo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Rodents
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