Evolutionary systematics and biogeography of the arid habitat‐adapted rodent genus Gerbillus (Rodentia,Muridae): a mostly Plio‐Pleistocene African history

The systematics of the arid‐adapted Old World Gerbillus rodent genus has always been challenging, with many different taxonomic arrangements proposed. Beyond such taxonomic aspects, the timing and geographical pattern of the evolutionary history of this group remains largely unknown. Based on mitochondrial (cytochrome b) and nuclear (interphotoreceptor retinoid‐binding protein) sequences obtained from the specimens of 21 species, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis of the group, estimated the ages and putative ancestral ranges of its major lineages. Four major clades were clearly retrieved within Gerbillus, for which we propose a subgenus rank. We showed that the emergence of the genus dates back to the end of the Miocene, which corresponds to a period of aridification and C4 vegetation expansion in open habitats, while the four sublineages originated at the end of the Pliocene. Most subsequent diversification events occurred during the Pleistocene, a period characterized by recurrent climatic/environmental shifts with increasing aridification during the last two millions of years. Finally, we suggested that most of the Gerbillus evolutionary history took place in Africa. Only in a few instances did dispersal events from Africa to Asia give birth to extant Asian lineages, a pattern that contrasts with what has been found in many animal groups.     

不同生长阶段长爪沙鼠血清中氧化与抗氧化物质含量变化

目的　探讨不同生长阶段长爪沙鼠血清中氧化与抗氧作用机制。方法　选择 1月龄、3月龄、2 4月龄的长爪沙鼠各 16只 (雌雄各半 ) ,测定长爪沙鼠血清中超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)、丙二醛 (MDA)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶 (GsH -Px)。结果　丙二醛 (MDA)在 3月龄最低 ,谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶 (GsH -Px)在 3月龄最高 ;超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)随着长爪沙鼠的月龄增长而升高。结论　在长爪沙鼠生长过程中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶 (GsH -Px)的含量变化与丙二醛 (MDA)含量变化有直接关系 ,而超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)含量变化与MDA含量变化没有直接关系。     

Evidence for a Late Pliocene faunal transition based on a new rodent assemblage from Oldowan locality Hadar A.L. 894, Afar Region, Ethiopia

The time interval between 3 Ma and 2 Ma marks several important transitions in human evolution, including the extinction of Australopithecus afarensis, the origin of the genus Homo, and the appearance of concentrated stone tool assemblages forming recognizable archaeological sites. The period also marks important changes in Earth’s climatic history, with the onset of northern hemisphere glaciation starting sometime between 2.8 Ma and 2.5 Ma, and it remains an unresolved question in paleoanthropology whether or not the global climatic events influenced in whole or in part, local terrestrial paleoenvironments in Africa and, through this, the course of human evolution.Changes in the terrestrial mammalian faunas of East Africa during this time interval are an important source of data about terrestrial paleoenvironments, and it has been argued that during this time period the mammalian faunas of Africa experienced a sudden pulse in the extinction and origination of taxa. The data corroborating this Turnover Pulse Hypothesis derive from both large mammal and micromammal data, though the fossil record of the former is much more abundant in this interval. New micromammal fossils recovered from ca. 2.4 Ma deposits at locality A.L. 894, low in the Busidima Formation in the Hadar study area of the Afar region, Ethiopia, reveal a significant faunal turnover when compared with previously published material from older 3.2 Ma micromammal assemblages from the Hadar Formation deposits. The results support the hypothesis of a major faunal transition, but larger sample sizes and more extensive temporal sampling are needed to refine the time and rate of change within this interval at Hadar.     

Temporal dynamics of a T-cell mediated immune response in desert rodents

Immunocompetence, the general capacity of an individual host to mount an immune response against pathogens, is commonly assessed by the response to a challenge of the immune system by injection of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). The response to PHA is commonly considered a reliable estimate of the T-cell mediated immune response. We investigated the temporal pattern of the PHA response in 10 rodent species from the Negev desert, Israel. We hypothesized that the temporal dynamics of the PHA response would differ among species with different natural patterns of flea parasitism. We injected PHA subcutaneously in the footpad of each rodent and measured its PHA response 6, 24 and 48 h after injection. Rodent species showed two types of PHA response. One type was rapid and characteristic of rodents that had either species-poor flea assemblages, or that are rarely attacked by fleas. This response peaked approximately 6 h after PHA injection. The second type of response was delayed and was typical of rodents that have either species-rich flea assemblages or high abundance and prevalence of fleas or both. Their response to PHA peaked 24 h after injection. Furthermore, rodents that responded promptly had a lower maximum response than rodents with a delayed response. Our results suggest the occurrence of a trade-off between intensity and latency of the PHA response and, therefore, the necessity to account for the relationship between maximum PHA response and time after injection when making interspecific comparisons of immunocompetence.     

Phylogeography,phylogeny, and taxonomical revision of the Midday jird (Meriones meridianus) species complex from Dzungaria

The Midday jird Meriones meridianussensu lato is a widely distributed and highly variable species complex, whose taxonomy is still controversial despite several genetic and morphological studies. Dzungaria is a crucial region for understanding the phylogeny and phylogeography of this species complex. In this work, the genetic variation of M. meridianus in Dzungaria and adjacent areas was studied based on mitochondrial (Cytb) and nuclear (BRCA1 and IRBP) genes. To compare morphological and genetic differentiation among lineages, craniological variation of the genotyped specimens was examined. Moreover, environmental data were used to estimate the most probable dispersal routes of M. meridianus clades in the studied area. Three clades of M. meridianus with interspecific level of differentiation were found and treated as distinct species: M. psammophilus (Milne-Edwards, 1871); M. meridianus (Pallas, 1773); and M. penicilliger (Heptner, 1933). The distribution ranges of all three species overlap in Dzungaria. According to the molecular data, M. psammophilus and M. meridianus are sister taxa that diverged ca. 500 kya, while M. penicilliger separated from the common ancestor of the other two lineages ca. 800 kya. These three species have significantly different cranial measurements. Moreover, traces of hybridization between M. psammophilus and M. meridianus were detected, but not between M. penicilliger and the other two species. Finally, the dispersal scenarios for M. psammophilus, M. meridianus, and M. penicilliger are herein discussed. It is suggested that M. meridianusand M. penicilligerindependently colonized Dzungaria from the west via Dzungarian gates.     

八种沙鼠亚科和田鼠亚科啮齿动物阴茎的比较研究

本文对我国仓鼠科沙鼠亚科和田鼠亚科8种啮齿动物的阴茎进行了比较解剖学研究。分析了两亚科的沙鼠属(Meriones)、大沙鼠属(Rhombomys)、田鼠属(Microtus)和绒鼠属(Eothenomys)4个属之间以及同属的种间异同。结果证明阴茎头(包括阴茎骨和软体结构)的形态结构具有属和种的稳定性和特异性,可以作为分类学研究的重要依据。     

Pseudomeriones megistos nov. sp. (Gerbillinae, Mammalia) from the Latest Miocene of Northern Greece and its phylogenetic relationships

The study of the primitive gerbil remains of Pseudomeriones, recovered from the micromammalian sites of Paliambela-B and Monasteri (Latest Miocene, Northern Greece), gives evidence for a new species, which is characterized by its large size and simple molar morphology. A cladistic analysis based on dental characters affiliates this form with P. rhodius and P. pythagorasi and enables an intrageneric phylogenetic scenario.     

长爪沙鼠生长繁殖性能的研究

目的　动物的生长繁殖性能是其生理学数据的重要组成部分 ,对实验动物的开发和应用具有指导意义。方法　选择离乳的长爪沙鼠 80只 (雌雄各半 ) ,一雌一雄长期同居。结果　每胎产仔 3～ 7只的居多 ,占总胎数的 77% ;平均每胎产仔 (5 .0 2± 2 .1 1 )只 ;每年产仔胎数 5～ 9胎的较多 ,占总胎数的 91 .7% ,平均 (7.4 9± 2 .0 1 )胎 /年 ;最早的初产周龄为 1 3周龄 ,最长的 5 2周龄 ,在 1 3～ 2 0和 2 5～ 2 8周龄的居多 ,占总对数的 80 %。长爪沙鼠的平均出生重为 3.5g ,成年鼠平均体重雌性 5 5 .6g ,雄性 6 7.2g。结论　普通级长爪沙鼠封闭群配种日龄最早在 6 5日龄 ,初产日龄超过 2 0 0日龄的长爪沙鼠应淘汰 ;性别对长爪沙鼠体重无显著影响     

长爪沙鼠血液生理生化正常参考值的研究

目的　作者对长爪沙鼠血液生理生化 33项指标进行测定 ,比较国内饲育不同地区长爪沙鼠种群。方法　实验动物空腹 1 2h ,次日眼球采血 ,分两组 ,分别检测生理和生化指标。结果　年龄的差异对大多数血液生理生化指标影响较大 ,性别差异除GLU、CK、CRE、UA、TG、GOT、CHO、ALP、LDH、RBC、HGB、MCHC、PLT、WBC、中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比例外 ,各指标均不受影响。结论　饲育不同地区长爪沙鼠大多数生理、生化指标差异较大 ,提示饲育环境与年龄差异是这一指标波动的重要因素