Highly polymorphic microsatellite loci in the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus)

We describe seven polymorphic, dinucleotide microsatellite loci isolated from bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus, Rodentia: Muridae) collected from the Wirral Peninsula, United Kingdom. Microsatellites were isolated as part of a long‐term study on the wider effects of host–pathogen interactions of an endemic viral disease. These microsatellites showed between five and 13 alleles per locus in these populations. Observed and expected heterozygosities varied between 0.275 to 0.777 and 0.487 to 0.794, respectively. These markers will allow us to investigate the structure of this bank vole population.     

Photoperiodic modulation of testicular LH receptors in the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus)

The temporal changes in testicular binding of 125I-labelled hCG in juvenile bank voles (18 days of age, born and reared in a 18L:6D photoperiod) exposed to a long (18L:6D, Group L) or short (6L:18D, Group S) photoperiod for 0, 3, 7, 14 and 42-56 days were investigated. During testicular maturation, in Group L, there was a slight initial decrease in LH receptor numbers per testis followed by a marked prepubertal rise during the initial phase of rapid testicular growth after which a decrease took place. In Group S, during testicular regression, the temporal changes in LH receptor numbers per testis resembled those of Group L except that the corresponding increase in hCG binding during the initial week was considerably less marked and the receptor numbers remained thereafter at a significantly lower level than in Group L. Leydig cell count indicated that the observed changes in LH receptors per testis were due to changes in the number of Leydig cells as well as in LH receptors per Leydig cell. The present results indicate, that (1) photoperiod is an important modulator of testicular LH receptor numbers in this species, (2) photoperiod or age has no significant effect on the binding affinity of LH receptors, (3) short photoperiods arrest the induction of LH receptors as well as the increase in Leydig cell numbers associated with normal testicular maturation, and (4) changes in LH receptor numbers per testis correlate well with the photoperiod-induced changes in androgen biosynthesis, spermatogenesis and Leydig cell morphology observed in our previous studies.     

The occurrence of erythropoiesis in the thymus of the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus)

Summary The thymus of wild young and adult bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) was examined by histological methods for the presence of developing erythroid cells. Nucleated erythroid cells were observed in 26% of the glands examined by light microscopy and in 69% of the glands examined by electron microscopy.The largest number of developing erythroid cells was observed in the thymus of pregnant females, also showing raised reticulocyte counts (3.1–10.2%). However, erythropoiesis could also be found in breeding and non-breeding, first year and older animals.Erythroid cells were mainly located in the cortex, sometimes in small groups interspersed between lymphoid cells, and also randomly scattered in the cortex. Occasionally, macrocytic erythroid cells were also present. Pyknotic cells were commonly present, and granulopoiesis was frequently observed.     

Social overwintering and food distribution in the bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus

We studied overwintering in the bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus in four 0.5 ha enclosures in an abandoned field in central Finland in the winter 1987/88. In two of the enclosures food was offered evenly distributed over the whole enclosed area (Even Enclosures = EE), in the two others food was offered in one feeding patch with four feeding chambers 2 m apart (Patchy Enclosures = PE). Food was provided in about the same amount in both enclosures. The experiment commenced in early October, with 13 females and 11 males in EEs and 12 + 13 voles in PEs. After two months the voles in the PEs were concentrated around the feeding patches. Territoriality was not observed in EEs, instead the voles formed small exclusive overwintering groups consisting of 2-3 females and at least one male. The size of the home range of the females and males was identical during mid-winter as the voles were non-breeding. By the onset of breeding, range size increased in both sexes, but significantly more in males, however. The survival was about the same in all populations. Every population showed a mid-winter decline suggesting the effect of the mustelid predators observed in and around the enclosures. In the PEs the overwintering aggregations lasted until the maturation of the first litters. Food distribution affected the spatial distribution of the populations. We conclude that the patchiness of the habitat and especially the availability of food are the most important factors determining the social structure of overwintering populations.     

Blood system peculiarities in the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) under chronic environmental pollution

The parameters of peripheral blood and hemopoietic organs in mature and immature bank voles inhabiting a chemically polluted area were studied. Variability of the blood system parameters depending on the level of toxic load and the animals’ reproductive status was determined. Alteration of the cell composition of erythrocytes and leucocytes, the structure of erythrocytes, and the hemoglobin fractions and leucocyte functions describe the adaptive response to the factors of a changed environment more than the concentration of leucocytes, erythrocytes, and blood hemoglobin.     

Transfer of mitochondrial DNA from the northern red-backed vole (Clethrionomys rutilus) to the bank vole (C. glareolus)

Summary Using a silver staining method to detect DNA fragments produced by restriction enzymes, it was possible to compare mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs) from 85 individuals of the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) trapped at 25 localities in Fennoscandia. There are two distinctly different mtDNA lineages, one occurring in southern and central Fennoscandia and the other in the northern parts. A fragment comparison method shows about 12.7% nucleotide sequence divergence between these two lineages. This major difference between animals of the same species could theoretically be explained by intraspecific lineage survivorship independent of species hybridization, or by introduction of an atypical mtDNA via hybridization with a closely related species. Analysis of mtDNAs from the two otherClethrionomys species present in Fennoscandia (C. rutilus andC. rufocanus) shows that the mtDNA of northernC. glareolus is very similar to that ofC. rutilus and that the mtDNA lineages of these two species cluster together in a phenogram, with small genetic distances among them. By contrast, electrophoresis of proteins encoded by 17 nuclear loci reveals fixed allelic differences between these two species at 8 loci. Hence the presence of two distinctly different mtDNA lineages withinC. glareolus may be a consequence of a limited episode of hybridization betweenC. glareolus andC. rutilus, probably during the postglacial recolonization of Fennoscandia 8000–13,000 years ago.     

Hantavirus antibody occurrence in bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) during a vole population cycle

Puumala virus, genus Hantavirus, is the etiologic agent of nephropathia epidemica, a mild form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. The bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) is the natural reservoir species of this hantavirus. We initiated sampling of bank voles at sites of recently identified human nephropathia epidemica cases and paired control sites in the fall of 1995 in coastal areas of northern Sweden. Sites were trapped annually in spring and fall until 1999. Prevalence of antibody to Puumala virus was similar among local bank vole populations in the two types of sites over time. During peak years, however, the absolute number of bank voles was higher in case sites than control sites. Consequently, the likelihood of Puumala virus exposure was increased at case sites during population highs. This would imply that the risk of Puumala virus exposure to conspecifics and humans is habitat and site dependent with a temporal component.     

A new dicrocoeliid from the bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus (Rodentia: Microtidae) from Poland

A new dicrocoeliid trematode, Brachylecithum glareoli n. sp., is described from the biliary ducts of the bank vole, Clethrionomys glareolus, in southwest Poland. This is the first dicrocoeliid species described in rodents from Poland. It is characterized mainly by the maximum body width at the level of the vitellaria; large, longitudinally oval testes; round, or transversely oval, ovary that is smaller than the testes; vitellaria located in the midbody; cirrus sac dorsally overlapping ventral sucker, but never reaching beyond half of its length; and large, distinctly elongated eggs.     

Maternal effort and male quality in the bank vole, Clethrionomys glareolus.

Parental investment in reproduction is adjusted according to potential benefits in terms of offspring survival and/or mating success. If male quality affects the reproductive success of a female, then females mating with high-quality males should invest more in reproduction. Although the subject has been of general interest, further experimental verification of the hypothesis is needed. We studied whether female bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) adjusted their maternal effort according to male quality, measured as mating success. To enable the measurement of maternal effort during nursing separately from male genetic effects the litters were cross-fostered. Further, the genetic background of male quality was examined. Male quality did not correlate with litter size or offspring size at birth. Offspring growth was positively related to food consumption and milk production of mothers. However, these direct measurements of maternal effort were independent of male quality. Male mating success appeared to be significantly heritable indicating that there are genetic benefits. Still, females did not adjust maternal effort according to the genetic quality of their offspring. We suggest that female bank voles gain significant genetic benefits from mating with high-quality males whereas they cannot improve their reproductive success by increasing maternal effort.     

The reproductive cycle of the Skomer vole (Clethrionomys glareolus skomerensis)

A histological examination has been made of the reproductive organs of the Skomer vole to study the reproductive cycle and fertility of this race of the Bank vole ( Clethrionomys glareolus ) in its insular habitat. The main aim of the work was to compare the cycle with that of Clethrionomys on the mainland of Britain which was similarly investigated by Brambell & Rowlands (1936).     

Individual variation and repeatability of basal metabolism in the bank vole, Clethrionomys glareolus

Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is a fundamental energetic trait and has been measured in hundreds of birds and mammals. Nevertheless, little is known about the consistency of the population-average BMR or its repeatability at the level of individual variation. Here, we report that average mass-independent BMR did not differ between two generations of bank voles or between two trials separated by one month. Individual differences in BMR were highly repeatable across the one month interval: the coefficient of intraclass correlation was 0.70 for absolute log-transformed values and 0.56 for mass-independent values. Thus, BMR can be a meaningful measure of an individual physiological characteristic and can be used to test hypotheses concerning relationships between BMR and other traits. On the other hand, mass-independent BMR did not differ significantly across families, and the coefficient of intraclass correlation for full sibs did not differ from zero, which suggests that heritability of BMR in voles is not high.     

Effect of photoperiod on cultured granulosa cells of the bank vole, Clethrionomys glareolus

Gonadal function of the bank vole females depends on the photoperiod. This experiment was to show whether photoperiod applied on the whole animal in vivo would affect the function of ovarian cells in vitro. Granulosa cells from large ovarian follicles of bank vole reared in long or short photoperiod were cultured as monolayers in control or luteinizing hormone supplemented media. Formation of cell colonies, activity of delta5, 3beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase and progesterone secretion were investigated. First colonies of long day cells were formed already on day 1. On day 2 they enlarged and became abundant. Short day cells formed colonies only on day 2. Colonies of similar size to 2 day colonies of long day cells appeared only on day 6. There were also differences in steroid dehydrogenase activity and in progesterone secretion between long and short day control and hormone treated cultures. We conclude that photoperiod applied in vivo affects ovarian cell function in vitro.     

Avoidance of used endometrial sites by blastocysts of the bank vole, Clethrionomys glareolus

In bank voles blastocysts arising from mating immediately after parturition do not implant in used zones of the preceding pregnancy but in the regions between them. However, if mating is postponed until 12 or more days after parturition blastocysts do implant in used zones of the previous pregnancy. Implantations also occur at zones used two pregnancies previously. It seems likely that the absence of implantations at recently used zones of the uterus is determined by the uterus rather than blastocysts.     

Low ambient temperature decreases cadmium accumulation in the liver and kidneys of the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus)

The importance of photoperiod and ambient temperature on the accumulation of cadmium in the liver and kidneys of bank voles was determined in the present study. Males and females, aged 1 month, were given 3.0 g Cd ml^–1 drinking water and divided into four groups according to photoperiod (16 h light/8 h dark and 8 h light/16 h dark) and ambient temperature (20 or 5°C); liver and kidneys were removed for cadmium as well as copper, iron and zinc analyses at the end of 6 weeks. Bank voles exposed to 5°C in both photoperiods consumed approximately 30% less water containing cadmium than those kept at 20°C. However, the total accumulation of cadmium in the liver and kidneys of males and females exposed to the low temperatures was 4.3–4.8 and 2.2–3.3 times less than that in animals maintained at room temperature in the long and short photoperiod, respectively. Simultaneously, the low temperature brought about an increase in the copper concentrations in the liver (12–43%) and kidneys (47–78%), giving rise to an inverse correlation between the cadmium accumulation and the tissue copper concentration. In contrast to cadmium and copper, the concentrations of iron and zinc were affected primarily by photoperiod. These findings indicate that ambient temperature is an important determinant of cadmium retention in the bank vole. It appears that low temperature decreases tissue cadmium accumulation not only by reducing cadmium intake but also through changes in copper metabolism.     

Hormonal requirements and the influence of age on the decidual cell reaction in the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus)

Laboratory bred bank voles of different age and reproductive status were bilaterally ovariectomized, treated with exogenous oestrogen or progesterone or both, and given an artificial decidual stimulus (crushing with artery forceps). An hormonal regimen of oestrogen (100 ng) followed by progesterone (1 mg) and small amounts of oestrogen (10 ng) was necessary for maximal development of the decidual cell reaction (DCR). A DCR did not develop if the animals were treated with only oestrogen or progesterone. Middle-aged virgin females 5-7 months old had larger responses than did young virgin females 2-3 months old, and parous females, 15-19 months old and having had at least 10 litters, had a response similar to that of virgin females of about the same age. The size of the DCR in old parous females was inversely related to the time elapsing since the last litter. It is concluded that in its hormonal requirements for a successful DCR the bank vole is similar to the mouse. The results also suggest that the increase in fertility of bank voles up to the age of about 100 days may in part be explained by increased response of the endometrium to blastocysts. The reduction in size of the DCR in old animals is a consequence of ageing rather than of repeated pregnancies.     

Long-term fitness benefits of polyandry in a small mammal, the bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus

Polyandry, i.e. mating with multiple males within one reproductive event, is a common female mating strategy but its adaptive function is often unclear. We tested whether polyandrous females gain genetic benefits by comparing fitness traits of monandrous (mated twice with a single male) and polyandrous (mated twice with two different males) female bank voles Clethrionomys glareolus. We raised the offspring in the laboratory until adulthood and measured their body size, before releasing them to outdoor enclosures to overwinter. At the onset of the breeding season in the following spring, we found that offspring of polyandrous females performed significantly better at reproduction than those of monandrous females. This was mainly due to sons of polyandrous females producing significantly more offspring than those of monandrous females. No significant differences were found for offspring body mass or winter survival between the two treatments. Our results appear to provide evidence that bank vole females gain long-term benefits from polyandry.     

Dietary cadmium decreases lipid peroxidation in the liver and kidneys of the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus).

The effect of elevated levels of dietary cadmium on lipid peroxidation in the liver and kidneys of a small rodent, the bank vole, was determined in the present study. Males and females, aged 1 month, were given diets containing 0.40 and 80 mg Cd per kg; liver and kidneys were removed for TBA-RS as well as iron, copper, zinc, cadmium and metallothionein analyses at the end of 6 weeks. Dietary Cd significantly decreased the TBA-RS level in the liver and kidneys of both sexes; however, this effect appeared to be dose-dependent only for the male liver. The changes in hepatic and renal TBA-RS paralleled closely those of tissue iron. Copper concentration decreased significantly only in the male liver, while hepatic and renal zinc were not influenced by dietary Cd. The concentrations of Cd and metallothionein in the liver and kidneys increased significantly in a dose-dependent fashion. Regression analysis confirmed that TBA-RS in both organs correlated closely with iron. The data suggest that dietary Cd decreases hepatic and renal lipid peroxidation indirectly, through lowering the tissue iron concentration.     

Social organization of the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus,Schreber 1780) and its demographic consequences: a model

Summary A unified model of social organization, spatial distribution, and demographic parameters in the bank vole was developed. It is based on social relations among females, among males and also between reproductive females and males. In the model, social status and reproductive condition of an individual depend exclusively on interactions with its nearest neighbours. A result of interactions between two neighbours remains local, i.e., it cannot affect other, more distant individuals. The simulated variables show similar trend and scatter as those found in a growing real population of the bank vole. The relevance of the model for theories of population dynamics is discussed.