Field evidence for aseasonality of reproduction and colony size in the Afrotropical giant mole-rat Fukomys mechowii (Rodentia: Bathyergidae)

Sichilima, Alfred M.; Faulkes, Chris G.; Bennett, Nigel C.

doi:10.3377/1562-7020-43.2.144

Cited by 18 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…This is only slightly more that the value by Sichilima et al (2011), which was computed without exclusion of incomplete family groups (mean 8.7; range 6-16). Similarly, a mean group size of around ten is reported for F. mechowii (Scharff et al, 2001;Sichilima et al, 2008b;Šumbera et al, 2012). Even in F. damarensis, which is denoted as eusocial, mean group size is reported to be as low as 11 (Bennett and Faulkes, 2000, p. 91, computed without exclusion of incomplete family groups).…”

Section: Population and Group Structurementioning

confidence: 86%

A maze-lover's dream: Burrow architecture, natural history and habitat characteristics of Ansell's mole-rat (Fukomys anselli)

et al. 2012

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a b s t r a c tThe Ansell's mole-rat (Fukomys anselli, Bathyergidae) is a small-sized social subterranean rodent whose distribution is confined to the Lusaka area in Zambia. It is an established model species for various laboratory studies, but until now the knowledge of its biology under natural conditions has been limited. Here, we provide the first comprehensive natural history and ecological data on a free living population from Miombo woodland. The Ansell's mole-rat lives in groups of up to 13 individuals (mean 9.7 ± 2.5; N = 9 complete, fully established family groups) with a single breeding pair per group. The family groups occupy very large and complex burrow systems consisting of 0.5-2.8 km of tunnels (mean = 1.2 ± 0.6 km, N = 15), which are densely branched and reticulated especially around nests. Burrow systems of neighbouring family groups were often interconnected by a freely passable tunnel, which has never before been documented in any African mole-rats. Mole-rat food density in the study area was relatively low (10.0 ± 8.4 m −2 ) but its biomass was large (457 ± 889 g m −2 ). This, together with a relatively workable soil (cone resistance = 529 ± 26 N cm −2 at the end of June, with 10% soil humidity), indicates moderate ecological conditions, which disagrees with the aridity food-distribution hypothesis (AFDH) considering small body size and sociality in bathyergids adaptations to harsh environments.

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Section: Population and Group Structurementioning

confidence: 86%

A maze-lover's dream: Burrow architecture, natural history and habitat characteristics of Ansell's mole-rat (Fukomys anselli)

et al. 2012

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“…All solitary species thus far investigated display a defined breeding season (Bennett and Jarvis 1988a;Hart and Bennett 2006;Herbst et al 2004;Š umbera et al 2008). In contrast, with the exception of 2 species, social species in this family have been shown to breed aseasonally (Bennett and Aguilar 1995;Bennett and Faulkes 2000;Bennett and Jarvis 1988b;Sichilima et al 2008). …”

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confidence: 99%

Effects of season and social status on gonadal function in social Natal mole-rats

Oosthuizen¹,

Viljoen²,

Bennett³

2010

Journal of Mammalogy

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The reproductive cycle of mammals can be inhibited by 2 factors, seasonal breeding and dominance control, both potentially important in mole-rats. The gonads and gonadal steroids of dominant (reproductive) and subordinate (nonreproductive) Natal mole-rats (Cryptomys hottentotus natalensis) were investigated to determine the effects of season and social status on reproduction within natal colonies. We found no seasonal differences in concentrations of gonadal steroids of male or female mole-rats. Similarly, the gonadal histology and volume showed no seasonal differences. These results, together with the presence of fetuses, confirm the potential for breeding throughout the year. Reproductive and nonreproductive mole-rats display comparable testosterone and estrogen concentrations in males and females, respectively. Follicular development and the presence and number of sperm in nonreproductive animals suggest that the reproductive quiescence in nonreproductive animals is likely to result from behavioral interference of dominant animals or incest avoidance (or both). Urinary progesterone concentrations of reproductive females were significantly higher than those of nonreproductive females. Although follicular development in nonreproductive females proceeds to the level of Graafian follicles, the number of these follicles present in nonreproductive females was significantly less than that in reproductive females. The reproductive physiology of the Natal mole-rat compares with other loosely social mole-rat species inhabiting mesic areas.

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“…The giant Zambian mole rat leads a social lifestyle in colonies of around 12 individuals, inhabiting diverse soil types in the tropical woodland and savannah regions of northern Zambia, southern Democratic Republic of Congo and central Angola [De Graaf, 1971;Sichilima et al, 2008]. This species is typically cinnamon brown in colour with a maximum body mass of 600 g for males and 350 g for females [Burda and Kawalika, 1993].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sleep and Wake in Rhythmic versus Arrhythmic Chronotypes of a Microphthalmic Species of African Mole Rat (Fukomys mechowii)

Bhagwandin

Gravett²,

Lyamin³

et al. 2011

Brain Behav Evol

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The giant Zambian mole rat (Fukomys mechowii) is a subterranean Afrotropical rodent noted for its regressed visual system and unusual patterns of circadian rhythmicity – within this species some individuals exhibit distinct regular circadian patterns of locomotor activity while others have arrhythmic circadian patterns. The current study was aimed at understanding whether differences in circadian chronotypes in this species affect the patterns and proportions of the different phases of the sleep-wake cycle. Physiological parameters of sleep (electroencephalogram and electromyogram) and behaviour (video recording) were recorded continuously for 72 h from 6 mole rats (3 rhythmic and 3 arrhythmic) using a telemetric system and a low-light CCTV camera connected to a DVD recorder. The results indicate that the arrhythmic individuals spend more time in waking with a longer average duration of a waking episode, less time in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) with a shorter average duration of an NREM episode though a greater NREM sleep intensity, and similar sleep cycle lengths. The time spent in rapid eye movement (REM) and the average duration of an REM episode were similar between the chronotypes.

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Field evidence for aseasonality of reproduction and colony size in the Afrotropical giant mole-rat Fukomys mechowii (Rodentia: Bathyergidae)

Cited by 18 publications

References 27 publications

A maze-lover's dream: Burrow architecture, natural history and habitat characteristics of Ansell's mole-rat (Fukomys anselli)

A maze-lover's dream: Burrow architecture, natural history and habitat characteristics of Ansell's mole-rat (Fukomys anselli)

Effects of season and social status on gonadal function in social Natal mole-rats

Sleep and Wake in Rhythmic versus Arrhythmic Chronotypes of a Microphthalmic Species of African Mole Rat (Fukomys mechowii)

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