Zur Frage des Gattungsnamens von „Geogale‟ aletris Butler und Hopwood, 1957 (Mammalia: Insectivora) aus dem Mioz\ue4n Ostafrikas

Volume: 50Start Page: 129End Page: 14

Intra- and interindividual variation in flank gland secretions of free-ranging shrews Crocidura russula

Individual differences in Rank gland secretions were examined among males of the monogamous shrew Crocidura russula during the breeding and nonbreeding seasons. Gas chromatography was used to measure intra- and interindividual variation of flank gland secretions of free-ranging shrews from different populations. The number of compounds detected by gas chromatographic analyses was correlated with body mass, flank gland size, and the presence of blood parasites in individual shrews. Very few compounds were detected from the Bank gland area of juvenile males. After they reached sexual maturity, however, the number of compounds detected from the Rank gland secretions increased significantly. At the beginning of the reproductive season 48 different compounds were detected from male flank gland secretions. In the middle of the breeding season 70 compounds were detected, while only 11 compounds were detected during the nonbreeding season. Few compounds were common to all males. There were more volatile compounds in the Bank gland secretions of males in the beginning of the breeding season than later in the breeding season. Males from the same population had fewer differences in the elution profile of compounds than males from different populations indicating that individuals from a distinct population have similar elution profiles of compounds and that each population has its own type of elution profile. No correlations were found between the number of compounds detected by gas chromatography for each male and the male's body mass or flank gland size. Blood parasites (trypanosomes, Trypanosoma crocidurae) were found in only three of 30 males investigated

Three Decades of Subterranean Acoustic Communication Studies

The subterranean environment has strongly influenced the evolution of the sensory biology of subterranean rodents. While dark and monotonous tunnels have led to reductions in the visual capabilities of some species, other senses appear to be highly developed in contrast. Among them, the emission of acoustic and seismic signals plays a major role in communication and alertness of subterranean mammals. In this chapter, the ecological and evolutionary conditions that influence the characteristics of vibrational communication in subterranean rodents are reviewed. First, the characteristics of rodents’ burrows and how they dictate the methods used to study subterranean communication are discussed. Second, the properties and roles of vocalizations and seismic signals in subterranean species are examined, including the main hypotheses about the evolution of these signals. Third, what is understood about social and vocal complexity in subterranean rodents is summarized and the similarities and differences in the vocal repertoires of social and solitary groups are analyzed. The chapter ends with a short summary and a consideration of future challenges in the field of subterranean acoustic communication in rodents.Fil: Schleich, Cristian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Francescoli Gilardini, Gabriel Enrique. Universidad de la República; Urugua