甘肃鼢鼠粪尿气味对侵占行为的影响

The Gansu zokor ( Myospalax cansus) is a solitary fossorial rodent, which inhabits its own tunnel system. The Gansu zokor are highly aggressive, and encounters between of two animals may end in the death or injury of one of them. In order to investigate the effect of fecaluria odor of the Gansu zokor on its invading behaviour, the behavioral methods were used to determine whether Gansu zokors use faeces to mark their own territorial boundaries and the effect on its excavation pattern. The results showed that when an intruder was introduced, the test animal almost always shifted its latrine location to the intruder‘s side. The Gansu zokor can detect the conspecific odor. In nonbreeding season, the odor of urine and faeces of Gansu zokors prolongs excavation of homosexual intruders and play a role in delaying conspecifics from entering the territory .     

Population genetic study of the U.S. federally listed Illinois cave amphipod, Gammarus acherondytes

Worldwide, conservation personnel must balance the needs of endangered species and humans. Studies that provide information of a species’ genetic structure can identify conservation units and help prioritize populations. We used a region of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene to examine the population genetics of the U.S. federally listed Illinois cave amphipod, Gammarus acherondytes. Eleven unique haplotypes were identified from nine populations in two hydrologically separate subregions, each of which contained genetically distinct populations. This conclusion is based on (i) subregions form clades in the interspecific phylogeographic analyses; (ii) the between-subregions component in the Analysis of Molecular Variance accounted for a significant fraction (81.45%) of the genetic variation; and (iii) no haplotypes were shared between subregions. These results coincide with the known distribution of G. acherondytes and regional hydrology. We recommend future recovery efforts avoid mixing individuals between subregions to prevent the breakdown of local adaptive gene complexes.     

Characterization of paternity relationships in the mole rat <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spalax ehrenbergi</Emphasis> by microsatellite genotyping

Spalax ehrenbergi is a species complex of blind subterranean rodents distributed along the east Mediterranean region. We studied genetic relationships within and between S. ehrenbergi sib families using microsatellite genotyping. The upper-bound level of multiple-paternity rate in litters was estimated using a simulation model of breeding process. Our results show that the upper bound of multiple paternity in the studied population of S. ehrenbergi is <30% (P value 2.9%), with no detected cases of multiple paternity. Our analytical model was specifically designed for a situation in which the sibling identities are known but genetic data about their parents is unavailable. The genetic similarities between groups of individuals were also tested, and it was found that the distance between breeding nests is a factor influencing the genetic similarity between litters found in the nests.     

Effects of the subterranean herbivorous rodent Spalacopus cyanus on herbaceous vegetation in arid coastal Chile

Summary The impact of the subterranean herbivorous rodent Spalacopus cyanus Molina on the herbaceous vegetation was studied by comparing biomass, species richness and species diversity at the end of the growing season in areas with and without burrows in coastal arid Chile. Total biomass was 60% higher in areas with burrows. This difference was mainly due to the large increase of Mesembryanthemum cristallinum L., a succulent prostrate annual herb. Unexpectedly, bulb biomass of geophytes, eaten by Spalacopus, did not differ between areas. However, in areas with burrows bulbs of geophytes were more numerous and smaller. It is possible that burrowing activities facilitate the occurrence of new small bulbs through seed germination. Species composition and diversity did not differ greatly between areas. Burrowing activities by Spalacopus, the life cycle of Mesembryanthemum, and climate seem to be the most important factors determining species abundance and diversity of herbs in this system.This is a contribution of the Program of Arid Zone Studies of Universidad de La Serena     

Effect of soil moisture on the response of subterranean clover to lime

Summary A pot experiment was carried out using a soil high in aluminium to investigate the relationship between the dry matter responses of subterranean clover to lime at two soil moisture levels. Subterranean clover, which is reputed to be tolerant to high aluminium levels in the soil, showed an increase in the dry weight of plant tops of 50% when lime was added on the low moisture treatments. By contrast the response on the high moisture treatment was only 5.6%.     

Termite resistance of solid wood and plywood treated with quaternary ammonia compounds and common fire retardants

The ability of termites to attack solid wood and plywood treated with quaternary ammonia compounds and common fire retardants was evaluated. The plywood and solid-wood specimens treated with either monoammonium phosphate (MAP), diammonium phosphate (DAP), ammonium sulfate (AS), didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC), or didecyl dimethyl ammonium tetrafluoroborate (DBF) were subjected to termite resistance tests using the subterranean termites Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki under laboratory conditions. The lowest mass losses and the highest termite mortalities were obtained for the solid-wood and plywood specimens treated with DDAC and DBF. Higher termite mortalities were seen in the plywood specimens treated with the fire retardants when compared to the solid-wood specimens. The MAP, DAP, and AS treatments lowered the mass losses in both solid-wood and plywood specimens in comparison with control specimens; however, DBF and DDAC protected specimens well against termite attack at both concentration levels tested.     

WINTERTIME LOSS OF ULTRADIAN AND CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS OF BODY TEMPERATURE IN THE SUBTERRANEAN EUTHERMIC MOLE VOLE,ELLOBIUS TALPINUS

Subterranean common mole voles, Ellobius talpinus, were implanted with long-term recording electronic thermometers to obtain hourly body temperature (T_b) data during either the wintertime or summertime. The two individuals tested during the summertime had significant circadian and ultradian rhythms in their T_b. Four of the five mole voles tested during the wintertime lacked rhythmicity in their T_b. The fifth individual lacked circadian rhythms but had ultradian rhythms in its T_b. A loss of circadian rhythms in T_b during deep torpor or hibernation has been reported for a few species of mammals. Inasmuch as the mole voles' wintertime T_b remained at euthermic levels, our results show that a loss of circadian body temperature rhythms in mole voles does not require the low T_b of deep torpor or hibernation. A tentative conclusion, based on these few animals, is that in common mole voles the T_b rhythms may disappear during the wintertime even though their T_b remains high. (Author correspondence: eug_nov@ngs.ru)     

Hearing in coruros (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Spalacopus cyanus</Emphasis>): special audiogram features of a subterranean rodent

Learning curves and behavioural audiograms of subterranean, socially living coruros (Spalacopus cyanus) were obtained using a positive reinforcement conditioning procedure. The individually varying audiograms revealed best hearing at frequencies between 1.25 and 1.6 kHz, which corresponds with the common pattern established in subterranean rodents studied so far. However, the broad hearing range covering frequencies at least between 0.25 and 20 kHz coupled with the high sensitivity (average minimum 7 dB) that is found in coruros are atypical features for audiograms of subterranean rodents, which usually show restricted high-frequency hearing ranges and very poor sensitivity. Hearing at low frequencies (peaks at frequencies <1 kHz), which may be related to sound transmission in underground burrows, and high sensitivity at 1.25/1.6 kHz are discussed in relation to vocalization. In addition to these peaks, a third peak at 8 kHz—probably a plesiomorphic feature of mammals—may be of significance in aboveground communication.     

The energetics of the common mole rat Cryptomyś, a subterranean eusocial rodent from Zambia

Body temperature, oxygen consumption, respiratory and cardiac activity and body mass loss were measured in six females and four males of the subterranean Zambian mole rat Cryptomys sp. (karyotype 2 n=68), at ambient temperatures between 10 and 35°C. Mean body temperature ranged between 36.1 and 33.2°C at ambient temperatures of 32.5–10°C and was lower in females (32.7°C) than in males (33.9°C) at ambient temperatures of 10°C but dit not differ at thermoneutrality (32.5°C). Except for body temperature, mean values of all other parameters were lowest at thermoneutrality. Mean basal oxygen consumption of 0.76 ml O₂·g^-1· h^-1 was significantly lower than expected according to allometric equations and was different in the two sexes (females: 0.82 ml O₂·g^-1·h^-1, males: 0.68 ml O₂·g¹·h^-1) but was not correlated with body mass within the sexes. Basal respiratory rate of 74·min^-1 (females: 66·min¹, males: 87·min^-1) and basal heart rate of 200·min^-1 (females: 190·min^-1, males: 216·min^-1) were almost 30% lower than predicted, and the calculated thermal conductance of 0.144 ml O₂·g^-1·h¹·°C^-1 (females; 0.153 ml O₂·g^-1·h^-1·°C^-1, males: 0.131 ml O₂·g^-1·h^-1·°C^-1) was significantly higher than expected. The body mass loss in resting mole rats of 8.6–14.1%·day^-1 was high and in percentages higher in females than in males. Oxygen consumption and body mass loss as well as respiratory and cardiac activity increased at higher and lower than thermoneutral temperatures. The regulatory increase in O₂ demand below thermoneutrality was mainly saturated by increasing tidal volume but at ambient temperatures <15°C, the additional oxygen consumption was regulated by increasing frequency with slightly decreasing tidal volume. Likewise, the additional blood transport capacity was mainly effected by an increasing stroke volume while there was only a slight increase of heart frequency. In an additional field study, temperatures and humidity in different burrow systems have been determined and compared to environmental conditions above ground. Constant temperatures in the nest area 70 cm below ground between 26 and 28°C facilitate low resting metabolic rates, and high relative humidity minimizes evaporative water loss but both cause thermoregulatory problems such as overheating while digging. In 13–16 cm deep foraging tunnels, temperature fluctuations were higher following the above ground fluctuations with a time lag. Dominant breeding females had remarkably low body temperatures of 31.5–32.3°C at ambient temperatures of 20°C and appeared to be torpid. This reversible hypothermy and particular social structure involving division of labour are discussed as a strategy reducing energy expenditure in these eusocial subterranean animals with high foraging costs.Abbreviations BMR basal metabolic rate - br breath - C thermal conductance - HR neart rate - LD light/dark - M _b body mass - MR metabolic rate - OP oxygen pulse - PCO₂ partial pressure of carbon dioxide - PO₂ partial pressure of oxygen - RMR resting metabolic rate - RR respiratory rate - T _a ambient temperature - T _b body temperature - TNZ thermal neural zone - O₂ oxygen consumption