Ecological Physiology and Behavior in the Genus Ctenomys

Fanjul, María Sol; Cutrera, A; Luna, Facundo; Schleich, Cristian E.; Brachetta, Valentina; Antenucci, C. Daniel; Zenuto, Roxana Rita

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-61679-3_11

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 150 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In the tuco-tucos (Ctenomys spp. ), most species studied so far display a seasonal reproductive pattern (Fanjul et al, 2021). Moreover, laboratory studies of female reproductive status under artificial photoperiods provided some evidence of photoperiodic responsiveness in C. talarum (Fanjul and Zenuto, 2008).…”

Section: Tuco-tucos Are Able To Encode Photoperiod Informationmentioning

confidence: 98%

Telling the Seasons Underground: The Circadian Clock and Ambient Temperature Shape Light Exposure and Photoperiodism in a Subterranean Rodent

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Living organisms anticipate the seasons by tracking the proportion of light and darkness hours within a day—photoperiod. The limits of photoperiod measurement can be investigated in the subterranean rodents tuco-tucos (Ctenomys aff. knighti), which inhabit dark underground tunnels. Their exposure to light is sporadic and, remarkably, results from their own behavior of surface emergence. Thus, we investigated the endogenous and exogenous regulation of this behavior and its consequences to photoperiod measurement. In the field, animals carrying biologgers displayed seasonal patterns of daily surface emergence, exogenously modulated by temperature. In the laboratory, experiments with constant lighting conditions revealed the endogenous regulation of seasonal activity by the circadian clock, which has a multi-oscillatory structure. Finally, mathematical modeling corroborated that tuco-tuco’s light exposure across the seasons is sufficient for photoperiod encoding. Together, our results elucidate the interrelationship between the circadian clock and temperature in shaping seasonal light exposure patterns that convey photoperiod information in an extreme photic environment.

show abstract

Section: Tuco-tucos Are Able To Encode Photoperiod Informationmentioning

confidence: 98%

Telling the Seasons Underground: The Circadian Clock and Ambient Temperature Shape Light Exposure and Photoperiodism in a Subterranean Rodent

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Life underground has distinctive physical and ecological characteristics that exert environmental pressures on individuals, which in turn drive to physiological specializations (see Fanjul et al, 2021). The isolated niche could, on one hand, minimize exposure to airborne viruses, thus relaxing the antiviral arm; on the other hand, this habitat may increase exposure to soil bacterial allowing the expansion of the antibacterial arm.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Varying intensity of simulated infection partially affects the magnitude of the acute‐phase immune response in the subterranean rodent Ctenomys talarum

et al. 2022

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The acute phase response (APR), coordinated by a complex network of components of the immune and neuroendocrine systems, plays a key role in early immune defense. This response can be elicited by a wide variety of pathogens at different intensities (frequencies and doses), hence experimental immune challenges with antigen gradients makes it possible to evaluate sickness progression with a better representation of what occurs in natural systems. However, how infection intensity could shape the APR magnitude in wild species is still poorly understood. Here, the immune response was activated in the subterranean rodent Ctenomys talarum with a gradient of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) doses (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mg/kg of body mass). Changes in body temperature, body mass, and energetic costs were evaluated over time. We also assessed cortisol levels, white blood cells counts and neutrophil: lymphocyte ratios, before and after injection. Results indicated that during the APR, C. talarum shows a hyperthermic response, which is maintained for 6 h, with slight differences among antigen doses in the pattern of thermal response and body mass change. A maximum increase in body temperature of 0.83°C to 1.63°C was observed during the first hour, associated with a metabolic cost that ranged from 1.25 to 1.41 ml O2/gh. Although no clear effects of treatment were detected on leukocyte abundance, we found increments in neutrophil: lymphocyte ratios and gradual increases in cortisol levels corresponding to the intensity of simulated infection, which may indicate redistribution of immune cells and enhancement of immune function. An evident sickness syndrome was observed even at the lowest LPS dose that was characterized by an increase in body temperature, energy expenditure, and N: L ratio, as well as a dose‐dependent increase in cortisol levels. Although in nature, other constraints and challenges could affect the magnitude and costs of immune responses, C. talarum mounts an effective APR with a low increase in their daily energy expenditure, regardless of LPS dose.

show abstract

Burrow systems of modern subterranean rodents (Ctenomyidae): key neoichnologic features and recognition of fossil examples

Cardonatto,

Néstor Melchor

2023

Ichnos

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Ecological Physiology and Behavior in the Genus Ctenomys

Cited by 4 publications

References 150 publications

Telling the Seasons Underground: The Circadian Clock and Ambient Temperature Shape Light Exposure and Photoperiodism in a Subterranean Rodent

Telling the Seasons Underground: The Circadian Clock and Ambient Temperature Shape Light Exposure and Photoperiodism in a Subterranean Rodent

Varying intensity of simulated infection partially affects the magnitude of the acute‐phase immune response in the subterranean rodent Ctenomys talarum

Burrow systems of modern subterranean rodents (Ctenomyidae): key neoichnologic features and recognition of fossil examples

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About