Begall / Burda / Schleich Subterranean Rodents

News from Underground
1. Auflage 2007
ISBN: 978-3-540-69276-8
Verlag: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: 1 - PDF Watermark

E-Book, Englisch, 398 Seiten

Subterranean Rodents presents achievements from recent years of research on these rodents, divided into five sections: ecophysiology; sensory ecology; life histories, behavioural ecology and demography; environmental and economical impact; molecular ecology and evolution. It is a must for all researchers working in this field and will be of interest to zoologists, physiologists, morphologists, ecologists, and evolutionary biologists.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Begall, Sabine

Burda, Hynek

Schleich, Cristian Eric

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1;Contents;7
2;Introduction;17
3;Subterranean Rodents: News from Underground;18
3.1;References;24
4;Part I Ecophysiology;25
4.1;Adaptive Physiological Mechanisms in the Underground Dwellers;26
4.1.1;2.1 Energy and Material Fluxes;27
4.1.2;2.2 Neural and Hormonal Regulation;29
4.1.3;References;30
4.2;Microclimate in Burrows of Subterranean Rodents – Revisited;33
4.2.1;3.1 Introduction;33
4.2.2;3.2 Microenvironmental Parameters;34
4.2.3;3.3 Further Perspectives;42
4.2.4;References;43
4.3;New Data onMetabolic Parameters in Subterranean Rodents;46
4.3.1;4.1 Introduction;46
4.3.2;4.2 Variation of Basal Metabolic Rate on Interspecific Level;47
4.3.3;4.3 Variation of Resting Metabolic Rate on Intraspecific Level;52
4.3.4;References;55
4.4;Skimping as an Adaptive Strategy in Social Fossorial Rodents: The Mole Vole ( Ellobius talpinus) as an Example;59
4.4.1;5.1 Introduction;59
4.4.2;5.2 Subjects, Area and Methodological Comments;60
4.4.3;5.3 Standard Metabolic Rate, Cost of Locomotion and Thermoregulation;61
4.4.4;5.4 Growth and Reproduction;62
4.4.5;5.5 Immune Defense;65
4.4.6;5.6 Adrenocortical Response to Stress;66
4.4.7;5.7 Conclusion;67
4.4.8;References;68
4.5;The Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology of the African Mole-rats: with Special Reference to Southern African Mole-rat Species;71
4.5.1;6.1 Introduction;71
4.5.2;6.2 Reproductive Strategies in Solitary and Social African Mole- rats;72
4.5.3;6.3 Seasonal Breeding in Social Mole-rats;79
4.5.4;6.4 Induced vs Spontaneous Ovulation and the Role of Penile Ornamentation;80
4.5.5;6.5 Habitat Shapes the Reproductive Physiology of African Mole- rats;81
4.5.6;6.6 Monopolization of Reproduction: Plural Breeding in Males and Females;82
4.5.7;6.7 Perspective;83
4.5.8;References;84
5;Part II Sensory Ecology;89
5.1;Sensory Ecology of Subterranean Rodents;90
5.1.1;References;92
5.2;Using Odors Underground;94
5.2.1;8.1 Introduction;94
5.2.2;8.2 Foraging Underground;95
5.2.3;8.3 Recognizing and Discriminating Between Conspecifics Underground;96
5.2.4;8.4 Conclusion;103
5.2.5;References;103
5.3;Acoustics, Audition and Auditory System;106
5.3.1;9.1 Introduction;106
5.3.2;9.2 Acoustics in Burrows;107
5.3.3;9.3 Hearing in Subterranean Rodents;108
5.3.4;9.4 Morphological Adaptations of the Ear;112
5.3.5;9.5 Synthesis;117
5.3.6;References;118
5.4;Acoustic Communication in Subterranean Rodents;121
5.4.1;10.1 Introduction;121
5.4.2;10.2 Adult Vocalizations;122
5.4.3;10.3 Juvenile Vocalizations: Are Care-elicitation Calls Honest Advertisements of Offspring Need?;131
5.4.4;10.4 Conclusion;133
5.4.5;References;133
5.5;Visual Systems and the Role of Vision in Subterranean Rodents: Diversity of Retinal Properties and Visual System Designs;136
5.5.1;11.1 Introduction;136
5.5.2;11.2 EyeMorphology;136
5.5.3;11.3 Retina;137
5.5.4;11.4 Optic Nerve (ON);146
5.5.5;11.5 Subcortical Visual System;148
5.5.6;11.6 Visual Cortex;157
5.5.7;11.7 Oculomotor Nuclei;159
5.5.8;11.8 Role of Vision;159
5.5.9;11.9 Chronobiology;161
5.5.10;References;162
5.6;Magnetic Compass: A Useful Tool Underground;168
5.6.1;12.1 Introduction;168
5.6.2;12.2 Available Information: From Earth to Animal;169
5.6.3;12.3 Compass Mode: From Behavioural Experiment to Proof;170
5.6.4;12.4 Transduction Mechanisms: From Signal to Receptor;173
5.6.5;12.5 Neuronal Processing: From Receptor to Brain;176
5.6.6;References;177
5.7;Adaptive Neural Organization of Naked Mole- Rat Somatosensation ( and Those Similarly Challenged);182
5.7.1;13.1 Introduction;182
5.7.2;13.2 Naked Mole-rat Body Hairs;182
5.7.3;13.3 Somatosensation and Behavior;184
5.7.4;13.4 Somatosensory Specializations in the Central Nervous Systemof Naked Mole-rats;190
5.7.5;13.5 Comparisons to Star-Nosed Moles;193
5.7.6;13.6 New Directions: Unique Somatic Organization for Processing Painful Stimuli;195
5.7.7;13.7 Conclusion;197
5.7.8;References;198
6;Part III Life Histories, Behavioural Ecology, Demography;201
6.1;From Natural Histories to Life Histories – A Homage to a Comparative Approach;202
6.1.1;How and Where to Go from Here?;206
6.1.2;References;207
6.2;Giant Mole-rats, Fukomys mechowii, 13 Years on the Stage;209
6.2.1;15.1 Introduction;209
6.2.2;15.2 Taxonomy, Nomenclature and Phylogeny;210
6.2.3;15.3 Morphology of the Giant Mole-rats;211
6.2.4;15.4 Distribution;213
6.2.5;15.5 Burrow Systems;214
6.2.6;15.6 Food;215
6.2.7;15.7 Colony Size and Structure;216
6.2.8;15.8 Sex Ratio;217
6.2.9;15.9 Surface Activity;218
6.2.10;15.10 Economic Importance;219
6.2.11;References;221
6.3;Biology of the Silvery Mole-rat ( Heliophobius argenteocinereus). Why Study a Neglected Subterranean Rodent Species?;224
6.3.1;16.1 Introduction;224
6.3.2;16.2 Taxonomy and Body Size;225
6.3.3;16.3 Population Density and Structure;227
6.3.4;16.4 Food and Habitat Preferences;228
6.3.5;16.5 Burrow Systems and Burrowing;229
6.3.6;16.6 Reproduction;229
6.3.7;16.7 Economic and Epidemiological Importance;233
6.3.8;16.8 Parasites and Sociality in African Mole-rats;233
6.3.9;16.9 Evolution of Sociality in the African Mole-rats;234
6.3.10;16.10 Further Perspectives;236
6.3.11;References;237
6.4;The Biology and Ecology of Plateau Zokors ( Eospalax fontanierii);240
6.4.1;17.1 Introduction;240
6.4.2;17.2 Morphological Characteristics;241
6.4.3;17.3 Physiological Characteristics;241
6.4.4;17.4 Habitat Selection and Distribution;243
6.4.5;17.5 Burrow Systemand Environment;243
6.4.6;17.6 Foraging and Diet;244
6.4.7;17.7 Activity Rhythms;244
6.4.8;17.8 Reproduction;245
6.4.9;17.9 Dispersal;245
6.4.10;17.10 Territoriality and Home Range;246
6.4.11;17.11 Population Dynamics;246
6.4.12;17.12 Burrow Cohabitants;247
6.4.13;17.13 Plateau Zokors as Prey;247
6.4.14;17.14 Relationship of Plateau Zokors and Livestock;248
6.4.15;17.15 Conclusion;249
6.4.16;References;250
6.5;Senescence Patterns in African Mole-rats ( Bathyergidae, Rodentia);253
6.5.1;18.1 Introduction;253
6.5.2;18.2 Longevity of Bathyergid Mole-rats Compared to Other Rodent Families;254
6.5.3;18.3 Intrafamilial Longevity Patterns;256
6.5.4;18.4 Intraspecific Aging Rates in Eusocial Bathyergids;259
6.5.5;18.5 “ Caste”-Specific Aging: Possible Explanations;260
6.5.6;18.6 Conclusions and Perspectives;263
6.5.7;References;264
7;Part IV Environmental and Economic Aspects;266
7.1;The Influence of Subterranean Rodents on the Environment;267
7.1.1;References;269
7.2;The Influence of Pocket Gophers on the Biotic and Abiotic Environment;271
7.2.1;20.1 Introduction;271
7.2.2;20.2 Burrowing Activity;271
7.2.3;20.3 Geometry of Disturbances;272
7.2.4;20.4 Activity Patterns;273
7.2.5;20.5 Diets;274
7.2.6;20.6 Impact on Plants;275
7.2.7;20.7 Complex Biotic Interactions;278
7.2.8;20.8 Soil Dynamics;279
7.2.9;20.9 Economic Impacts;281
7.2.10;20.10 Conclusion;282
7.2.11;References;283
7.3;Subterranean Rodents as Pests: The Case of the Pocket Gopher;287
7.3.1;21.1 Introduction;287
7.3.2;21.2 Pocket Gophers (Family Geomyidae);288
7.3.3;21.3 Damage by Pocket Gophers;288
7.3.4;21.4 Pocket Gopher Damage Management;293
7.3.5;21.5 Conclusions and Future Needs;296
7.3.6;References;297
7.4;Influence of Plateau Zokors ( Eospalax fontanierii) on Alpine Meadows;300
7.4.1;22.1 Introduction;300
7.4.2;22.2 Effects on Soil and Nutrients;301
7.4.3;22.3 Effects on Vegetation and Diversity;302
7.4.4;22.4 Effects on Monocotyledons;302
7.4.5;22.5 Effects on Dicotyledons;304
7.4.6;22.6 Conclusion;305
7.4.7;References;306
7.5;Mountain Beaver: A Primitive Fossorial Rodent;308
7.5.1;23.1 Introduction;308
7.5.2;23.2 Distribution of the Aplodontidae Family;309
7.5.3;23.3 Mountain Beaver Ecology;309
7.5.4;23.4 Management and Economic Impacts;315
7.5.5;23.5 Conclusion and Future Research Needs;316
7.5.6;References;318
8;Part V Molecular Ecology and Evolution;321
8.1;Molecular Ecology and Evolution;322
8.1.1;References;325
8.2;The Multiple Meanings of Inbreeding: The Key to Understanding the Social and Genetic Structure of Subterranean Rodent Populations;327
8.2.1;25.1 Introduction;327
8.2.2;25.2 Determinants of Genetic Structure: Mutation, Selection, or Drift;327
8.2.3;25.3 The Influence of Social Structure on Genetic Structure and Genetic Structure on Social Structure;329
8.2.4;25.4 Genetic Structure and Social Structure in Naked Mole- rats: A Classic Example of the Importance of Understanding the Multiple Meanings of Inbreeding;329
8.2.5;25.5 Dispersal;332
8.2.6;25.6 Conclusions;333
8.2.7;References;333
8.3;Behavior, Demography, and Immunogenetic Variation: NewInsightsfromSubterranean Rodents;337
8.3.1;26.1 Introduction;337
8.3.2;26.2 Genetic Structure in Subterranean Rodents;338
8.3.3;26.3 MHC Variation in Subterranean Rodents;341
8.3.4;26.4 Overview and Future Directions;346
8.3.5;References;347
8.4;African Mole-rats (Bathyergidae): A Complex Radiation in Tropical Soils;352
8.4.1;27.1 Introduction;352
8.4.2;27.2 Intergeneric Relationships;353
8.4.3;27.3 Biogeography of the Bathyergidae;354
8.4.4;27.4 Overview of the Six Genera;357
8.4.5;27.5 Diversification in Social Mole-rats of the Genera Cryptomys Gray, 1864 and Fukomys ( Kock, Ingram, Frabotta, Honeycutt and Burda 2006);358
8.4.6;27.6 Prospects (for Phylogenetic Studies and Beyond);362
8.4.7;References;365
8.5;Mosaic Evolution of Subterranean Mammals: Tinkering, Regression, Progression, and Global Convergence;369
8.5.1;28.1 Overview;369
8.5.2;28.2 Visual Adaptations in Subterranean Mammals;371
8.5.3;28.3 Evolutionary Adaptive Regulation ofWide Genome Gene Expression;378
8.5.4;References;380
9;Subject Index;383