| Energetics in a solitary subterranean rodent, the silvery mole-rat, Heliophobius argenteocinereus, and allometry of RMR in African mole-rats (Bathyergidae). | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 17337221 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Low resting metabolic rate (RMR) in subterranean rodents used to be considered as a physiological adaptation to cope with stresses of the belowground environment. In African mole-rats (Bathyergidae, Rodentia), RMR was reported to be independent of body mass. This deviation from a general mammalian pattern was considered a precondition for evolution of eusociality, occurring in some bathyergids. We measured metabolic rate and thermoregulation in the silvery mole-rat, Heliophobius argenteocinereus, the only bathyergid genus for which well-supported, comparable data were still missing. Low RMR (154.04 mL O(2) h(-1), which is 82% of the value predicted for a rodent) corresponds to the value expected in a subterranean rodent. Broad range of the thermoneutral zone (25-33 degrees C) and only slightly higher conductance (17.3 mL O(2) h(-1) degrees C(-1), i.e. 112.5% of that predicted for subterranean mammals) indicate that H. argenteocinereus is adapted to lower burrow temperatures rather than to high temperatures. Low RMR in this solitary species, as in other subterranean rodents in general, is probably associated particularly with high energetic cost of foraging. Our results combined with data on other mole-rats show clearly that RMR within the Bathyergidae is mass-dependent. |
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Authors:
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Jitka Zelová; Radim Sumbera; Frantisek Sedlácek; Hynek Burda |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Date: 2007-01-23 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Molecular & integrative physiology Volume: 147 ISSN: 1095-6433 ISO Abbreviation: Comp. Biochem. Physiol., Part A Mol. Integr. Physiol. Publication Date: 2007 Jun |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2007-04-30 Completed Date: 2007-07-16 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 9806096 Medline TA: Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 412-9 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Branisovská 31, 370 05 Ceské Budejovice, Czech Republic. zelovj00@tomcat.bf.jcu.cz |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animals Basal Metabolism / physiology* Body Temperature Body Weight Mole Rats / growth & development*, metabolism* Oxygen Consumption Phylogeny Regression Analysis Rest / physiology* |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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