Behavior of Psammomys obesus (Rodenth: Gerbillinae) in the Algerian Sahara

Daly, Martin; Daly, Sandra

doi:10.1111/j.1439-0310.1975.tb00882.x

Cited by 46 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Psammomys obesus is diurnal desert rodent that inhabits arid and semiarid regions. It's continuously facing to extremes climatic conditions ((temperature highs of above 50°C), dry (near zero relative humidity) and dusty (sand storms lasting for days) (Daly & Daly, 1975). The sand rat eye is similar to most mammalian specie's eye, though there appear to be some specific structural and functional adaptations in each of these species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microscopic anatomy of ocular globe in diurnal desert rodent Psammomys obesus (Cretzschmar, 1828)

Saadi-Brenkia

Hanniche

Lounis

2018

JoBAZ

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Background: The visual system of desert rodents demonstrates a rather high degree of development and specific features associated with adaptation to arid environment. The aim of this study is to carry out a descriptive investigation into the most relevant features of the sand rat eye. Results: Light microscopic observations revealed that the eye of Psammomys obesus diurnal species, appears similar to that of others rodent with characteristic mammalian organization. The eye was formed by the three distinct layers typical in vertebrates: fibrous tunic (sclera and cornea); vascular tunic (Iris, Ciliary body, Choroid); nervous tunic (retina). Three chambers of fluid fundamentals in maintaining the eyeball's normal size and shape: Anterior chamber (between cornea and iris), Posterior chamber (between iris, zonule fibers and lens) and the Vitreous chamber (between the lens and the retina) The first two chambers are filled with aqueous humor whereas the vitreous chamber is filled with a more viscous fluid, the vitreous humor. These fluids are made up of 99.9% water. However, the main features, related to life style and arid environment, are the egg-shaped lens, the heavy pigmentation of the middle layer and an extensive folding of ciliary processes, thus developing a large surface area, for ultrafiltration and active fluid transport, this being the actual site of aqueous production. The ciliary muscle is poorly developed and the dilator pupillae is not apparent. Conclusions: The ocular globe of sand rat demonstrates a high degree of development and several specific features associated with adaptation to life style and arid environment.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microscopic anatomy of ocular globe in diurnal desert rodent Psammomys obesus (Cretzschmar, 1828)

Saadi-Brenkia

Hanniche

Lounis

2018

JoBAZ

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“…The foot-drums made by a signalling animal can be transmitted between neighbouring burrow systems, whereupon they radiate out into the burrow chamber (Randall & Lewis, 1997). Footdrumming is also characteristic of gerbils, including Meriones and Gerbillurus species (Lay, 1974;Swanson, 1974;Daly & Daly, 1975;Bridelance & Paillette, 1985;Bridelance, 1986;Dempster & Perrin, 1989), although G. setzeri only appears to 'shiver' its hindquarters and does not produce an audible sound (Dempster & Perrin, 1989). Sengis are known to footdrum and this has been described in detail in Elephantulus species (Faurie et al 1996); Elephantulus seems to engage in this activity much more readily than Macroscelides (G. Rathbun, pers.…”

Section: Detection Of Seismic Signalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structure and function of the mammalian middle ear. I: Large middle ears in small desert mammals

Mason

2015

Journal of Anatomy

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Many species of small desert mammals are known to have expanded auditory bullae. The ears of gerbils and heteromyids have been well described, but much less is known about the middle ear anatomy of other desert mammals. In this study, the middle ears of three gerbils (Meriones, Desmodillus and Gerbillurus), two jerboas (Jaculus) and two sengis (elephant-shrews: Macroscelides and Elephantulus) were examined and compared, using micro-computed tomography and light microscopy. Middle ear cavity expansion has occurred in members of all three groups, apparently in association with an essentially 'freely mobile' ossicular morphology and the development of bony tubes for the middle ear arteries. Cavity expansion can occur in different ways, resulting in different subcavity patterns even between different species of gerbils. Having enlarged middle ear cavities aids low-frequency audition, and several adaptive advantages of low-frequency hearing to small desert mammals have been proposed. However, while Macroscelides was found here to have middle ear cavities so large that together they exceed brain volume, the bullae of Elephantulus are considerably smaller. Why middle ear cavities are enlarged in some desert species but not others remains unclear, but it may relate to microhabitat.

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“…In our study region, the typical vegetation is composed essentially of Atriplex halimus L. (Chenopodiaceae), a widespread perennial drought-resistant C4 shrub [38]. Rodents locate their burrows directly beneath the Chenopod bushes which also constitute their preferred food source [39]. Increasing amounts of vegetation and rodents also promote sandfly activity.…”

Section: Trophic Cascadementioning

confidence: 99%

Linking Climate to Incidence of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (L. major) in Pre-Saharan North Africa

Bounoua

Kahime

Houti³

et al. 2013

IJERPH

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Shifts in surface climate may have changed the dynamic of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) in the pre-Saharan zones of North Africa. Caused by Leishmania major, this form multiplies in the body of rodents serving as reservoirs of the disease. The parasite is then transmitted to human hosts by the bite of a Phlebotomine sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) that was previously fed by biting an infected reservoir. We examine the seasonal and interannual dynamics of the incidence of this ZCL as a function of surface climate indicators in two regions covering a large area of the semi-arid Pre-Saharan North Africa. Results suggest that in this area, changes in climate may have initiated a trophic cascade that resulted in an increase in ZCL incidence. We find the correlation between the rainy season precipitation and the same year Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to be strong for both regions while the number of cases of ZCL incidence lags the precipitation and NDVI by 2 years. The zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis seasonal dynamic appears to be controlled by minimum temperatures and presents a 2-month lag between the reported infection date and the presumed date when the infection actually occurred. The decadal increase in the number of ZCL occurrence in the region suggests that changes in climate increased minimum temperatures sufficiently and created conditions suitable for endemicity that did not previously exist. We also find that temperatures above a critical range suppress ZCL incidence by limiting the vector’s reproductive activity.

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Behavior of Psammomys obesus (Rodenth: Gerbillinae) in the Algerian Sahara

Cited by 46 publications

References 14 publications

Microscopic anatomy of ocular globe in diurnal desert rodent Psammomys obesus (Cretzschmar, 1828)

Microscopic anatomy of ocular globe in diurnal desert rodent Psammomys obesus (Cretzschmar, 1828)

Structure and function of the mammalian middle ear. I: Large middle ears in small desert mammals

Linking Climate to Incidence of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (L. major) in Pre-Saharan North Africa

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