Effect of pessimum of habitat on functional activity of liver mitochondria in two small mammalian species of different ecological specialization

Multidimensional factor analysis of liver mitochondrial activity was performed in two ecologically different species of voles from central regions and northern periphery of habitat. By example of mole vole Ellobius talpinus (a widely spread species), the key adaptive role of the system of oxidation of succinic acid was shown. Phenomena of minimization of mitochondrial activity are peculiar to a representative of the northern population of the mountain endemic flat-headed vole Alticola strelzovi. Differentiation of small mammals by liver bioenergetics parameters under conditions of pessimum of habitat is considered as manifestation of different strategy of energy supply of tissue adaptation, depending on species ecological plasticity.