Tuning of Electroreceptors in the Blind Cave Salamander, Proteus anguinus L.

1997 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 132-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.A. Schlegel ◽  
A. Roth
Keyword(s):  
Proteus Anguinus ◽  
Blind Cave

scholarly journals Behavioural, physiological and metabolic responses to long-term starvation and refeeding in a blind cave-dwelling (Proteus anguinus) and a surface-dwelling (Euproctus asper) salamander

2001 ◽  
Vol 204 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Hervant ◽  
J. Mathieu ◽  
J. Durand
Keyword(s):  
Food Deprivation ◽  
Metabolic Response ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Energy Reserves ◽  
Energy Strategy ◽  
Quick Recovery ◽  
Proteus Anguinus ◽  
Surface Dwelling ◽  
Blind Cave

The effects of long-term starvation and subsequent refeeding on haematological variables, behaviour, rates of oxygen consumption and intermediary and energy metabolism were studied in morphologically similar surface- and cave-dwelling salamanders. To provide a hypothetical general model representing the responses of amphibians to food stress, a sequential energy strategy has been proposed, suggesting that four successive phases (termed stress, transition, adaptation and recovery) can be distinguished. The metabolic response to prolonged food deprivation was monophasic in the epigean Euproctus asper (Salamandridae), showing an immediate, linear and large decrease in all the energy reserves. In contrast, the hypogean Proteus anguinus (Proteidae) displayed successive periods of glucidic, lipidic and finally lipido-proteic-dominant catabolism during the course of food deprivation. The remarkable resistance to long-term fasting and the very quick recovery from nutritional stress of this cave organism may be explained partly by its ability to remain in an extremely prolonged state of protein sparing and temporary torpor. Proteus anguinus had reduced metabolic and activity rates (considerably lower than those of most surface-dwelling amphibians). These results are interpreted as adaptations to a subterranean existence in which poor and discontinuous food supplies and/or intermittent hypoxia may occur for long periods. Therefore, P. anguinus appears to be a good example of a low-energy-system vertebrate.

Metabolism and circadian rhythms of the European blind cave salamander Proteus anguinus and a facultative cave dweller, the Pyrenean newt (Euproctus asper)

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (8) ◽  
pp. 1427-1432 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Hervant ◽  
J Mathieu ◽  
J P Durand
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Resting Metabolic Rate ◽  
Activity Cycle ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Predatory Behavior ◽  
Proteus Anguinus ◽  
Surface Dwelling ◽  
Blind Cave ◽  
Cave Dweller

Comparisons of circadian rhythmicity, behavior, and metabolism between surface- and cave-dwelling salamanders allow evolutionary trends in these processes to be elucidated. The proteid Proteus anguinus, an obligate cave-dweller, showed no apparent daily rhythm of activity or resting metabolic rate. In contrast, the salamandrid Euproctus asper, a surface-dweller/facultative cave-dweller, had a circadian resting metabolic rate and activity cycle. These circadian rhythms had an endogenous component. The lives of both studied salamanders were characterized by long periods of inactivity punctuated by bouts of foraging or exploratory/predatory behavior. Proteus anguinus had reduced resting metabolic and spontaneous activity rates (considerably lower than those of most surface-dwelling amphibians), and therefore appears to be a good example of a vertebrate as a low-energy system. The low metabolic and activity rates of P. anguinus are interpreted as adaptations to a subterranean environment, where a poor and discontinuous food supply and (or) intermittent hypoxia may be present for long period

Opportunistic fungal pathogens isolated from a captive individual of the European blind cave salamander Proteus anguinus

2018 ◽  
Vol 129 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Bizjak-Mali ◽  
P Zalar ◽  
M Turk ◽  
M Novak Babič ◽  
R Kostanjšek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Proteus Anguinus ◽  
Blind Cave
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