Number of the records: 1  

Poikilothermic traits in Mashona mole-rat (Fukomys darlingi). Reality or myth?

  1. 1.
    SYSNO ASEP0481507
    Document TypeJ - Journal Article
    R&D Document TypeJournal Article
    Subsidiary JČlánek ve WOS
    TitlePoikilothermic traits in Mashona mole-rat (Fukomys darlingi). Reality or myth?
    Author(s) Zemanová, Milada (BC-A)
    Šumbera, R. (CZ)
    Okrouhlík, J. (CZ)
    Number of authors3
    Source TitleJournal of Thermal Biology. - : Elsevier - ISSN 0306-4565
    Roč. 37, č. 7 (2012), s. 485-489
    Number of pages5 s.
    Languageeng - English
    CountryGB - United Kingdom
    Keywordssubterranean rodent ; Bathyergidae ; poikilothermy
    Subject RIVED - Physiology
    OECD categoryBiology (theoretical, mathematical, thermal, cryobiology, biological rhythm), Evolutionary biology
    Institutional supportBC-A - RVO:60077344
    UT WOS000307687600004
    EID SCOPUS84861426132
    DOI https://doi.org/10.3161/067.058.0104
    AnnotationThe African mole-rats (Bathyergidae, Rodentia) is a mammalian family well known for a variety of ecophysiological adaptations for strictly belowground life. The smallest bathyergid, the hairless naked mole-rat from arid areas in Eastern Africa, is even famous as the only truly poikilothermic mammal. Another bathyergid, the Mashona mole-rat (Fukomys darlingi) from Zimbabwe, is supposed to have strong poikilothermic traits, because it is not able to maintain a stable body temperature at ambient temperatures below 20 degrees C. This is surprising because, compared to the naked mole-rat, this species, together with all congenerics, is larger, haired, and living in more seasonal environment. In addition, other Fukomys mole-rats show typical mammalian pattern in resting metabolic rates. In our study, we measured resting metabolic rate and body temperature of Mashona mole-rats from Malawi across a gradient of ambient temperatures to test its poikilothermic traits. We found that the adult mass specific resting metabolic rate was 0.76 +/- 0.20 ml O-2 g(-1) h(-1) body temperature 34.8 +/- 1.1 degrees C in the thermoneutral zone (27-34 degrees C). Body temperature was stable (33.0 +/- 0.5 degrees C) at ambient temperatures from 10 to 25 degrees C. We thus cannot confirm poikilothermic traits in this species, at least for its Malawian population. Factors potentially explaining the observed discrepancy in Mashona mole-rat energetics are discussed. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
    WorkplaceBiology Centre (since 2006)
    ContactDana Hypšová, eje@eje.cz, Tel.: 387 775 214
    Year of Publishing2018
    Electronic addresshttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306456512000824
Number of the records: 1  

  This site uses cookies to make them easier to browse. Learn more about how we use cookies.