1
|
Gan Y, Wu YJ, Dong YQ, Li Q, Wu SG, Jin YQ, Lu TF. The study on the impact of sex on the structure of gut microbiota of bamboo rats in China. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1276620. [PMID: 38164398 PMCID: PMC10757957 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1276620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Bamboo rats are rodents that eat bamboo, and their robust capacity for bamboo digestion is directly correlated with their gut flora. Chinese bamboo rat (Rhizomys sinensis) is a common bamboo rat in Chinese central and southern regions. As a single-stomach mammal, bamboo rats are a famous specificity bamboo-eating animal and their intestinal microbial composition may also play a key role in the digestion of cellulose and lignin. So, the gut microbiota of bamboo rat may play an important role in the adaptation of bamboo rats for digesting lignocellulose-based diet. Methods To study the microbiome differences of bamboo rats from different sexes, the microbial genomic DNA was extracted from each fecal sample and the V4 region of 16S rRNA genes was amplified and sequencing on an IlluminaHiSeq6000 platform. The operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were classified, the OTUs in different sexes was identified and compared at phylum and genus levels. For isolation and screening of cellulose degradation bacteria from bamboo rats, fresh feces from randomly selected bamboo rats were collected and used for the isolation and screening of cellulose degradation bacteria using Luria Bertani (LB) Agar medium containing Carboxymethyl cellulose. The cellulase activity, biochemical characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the purified bacteria strains were characterized. Results and discussion A total of 3,833 OTUs were classified. The total microbial diversity detected in the female and male rats was 3,049 OTUs and 3,452 OTUs, respectively. The Shannon index revealed significant differences between the two groups (p < 0.05), though they were all captive and had the same feeding conditions. At the phylum level, Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, and Proteobacteria were prominent in the microbial community. At the genus level, the microbial community was dominated by Lachnospiraceae, Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, and Prevotella, but there was a significant difference between the two groups of bamboo rats; ~90 bacteria genus in the female group was significantly higher than the male group. Among them, Bacteroides, Colidextribacter, and Oscillibacter were significantly higher genera, and the genera of Lachnoclostridium, Oscillibacter, and Papillibacter had the highest FC value among the male and female bamboo rats. The KEGG function annotation and different pathways analysis revealed that membrane transport, carbohydrate metabolism, and amino acid metabolism were the most enriched metabolic pathways in the two groups, and multiple sugar transport system permease protein (K02025 and K02026), RNA polymerase sigma-70 factor (K03088), and ATP-binding cassette (K06147) were the three different KEGG pathways (p < 0.05). Two cellulose degradation bacteria strains-Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecalis-were isolated and characterized from the feces of bamboo rats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Gan
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Yan-jun Wu
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Yuan-qiu Dong
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Qian Li
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Shu-guang Wu
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Yuan-qing Jin
- Kaili Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kaili, Guizhou, China
| | - Tao-feng Lu
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Burda H. Zambian Mole-Rats: 33 Years on the Scene and What We Still Do Not Know and How We Could Learn It. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.866709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
This article surveys more than three decades of research on Zambian mole-rats (genus Fukomys, Bathyergidae), pointing out some unanswered questions and untested hypotheses and suggesting approaches to address them. These research proposals range from sensory ecology topics, the main research field, covering different (even not yet identified) senses, orientation in time and space, communication, studies on aging, population dynamics, and the survival strategies of mole-rats during yearly floodings in the Kafue Flats. Discussion includes cryptozoological investigation into the existence of strange mole-rat species in some Zambian localities as reported by local communities, the study of mole-rats in assumed contact (hybrid?) zones of special interest, (cyto)genetic studies of hybrids of selected species, and a non-invasive study of population and family structure and dynamics with help of endoscopes. In each case, there is a rationale, reasoning, hypothesis, and suggested methodical approach.
Collapse
|
3
|
Scarpitti EA, Calede JJM. Ecological correlates of the morphology of the auditory bulla in rodents: Application to the fossil record. J Anat 2022; 240:647-668. [PMID: 34747041 PMCID: PMC8930836 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
For rodents, hearing is essential to survival. It enables predator evasion, prey detection, and conspecific recognition; it is also likely to be constrained by the physical environment. The resulting hypothetical link between tympanic bulla morphology and ecology has never been investigated across a broad array of rodent species before. Such link may enable the determination of the ecological affinities of many fossil species only known from partial skulls. In this study, we used geometric morphometrics to quantify the shape of the auditory bulla of 197 specimens representing 91 species from 17 families of extant rodents across four different locomotory modes. We used landmarks and semi-landmarks on the ventral and lateral views of the skull to capture morphological characteristics of the bulla and external auditory meatus (EAM). Our results demonstrate an association between bullar morphology and locomotion in rodents. Bullar shape enables the correct classification of 76% of the species in our training set. Fossorial taxa, in particular, show a characteristic morphology including an asymmetric bulla with a dorsally located and laterally expanded EAM that has a small opening diameter. A phylogenetically informed flexible discriminant analysis shows a weak phylogenetic effect on tympanic morphology. There is no evidence for differences in bullar hypertrophy across locomotory categories. The application of this approach to select fossil rodents from the Oligo-Miocene shows broad agreements with prior studies and yields new locomotory inferences for 14 fossil species, including the first proposed locomotion for members of the family Florentiamyidae. Such results call for the timing of burrowing diversification in rodents to be reevaluated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonathan J. M. Calede
- School of Earth SciencesThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal BiologyThe Ohio State UniversityMarionOhioUSA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pleštilová L, Hrouzková E, Burda H, Meheretu Y, Šumbera R. Ear morphology in two root-rat species (genus Tachyoryctes) differing in the degree of fossoriality. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2021; 207:469-478. [PMID: 33956210 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-021-01489-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
It is supposed that the subterranean lifestyle in mammals is reflected in ear morphology and tuning of hearing to low frequencies. We studied two root-rat species to see if their ear morphology reflects the difference in the amount of their surface activity. Whereas the more subterranean Tachyoryctes splendens possesses shorter pinnae as expected, it has smaller bullae compared to the more epigeic Tachyoryctes macrocephalus. The ratio between the eardrum and the stapedial footplate area and the ratio between the mallear and the incudal lever were lower in T. splendens (19.3 ± 0.3 and 1.9 ± 0.0, respectively) than in T. macrocephalus (21.8 ± 0.6 and 2.1 ± 0.1), probably reflecting the latter's higher surface activity. The cochlea in both species has 3.5 coils, yet the basilar membrane is longer in the smaller T. splendens (13.0 ± 0.5 versus 11.4 ± 0.7 mm), which indicates its wider hearing range and/or higher sensitivity (to some frequencies). In both root-rat species, the highest density of outer hair cells (OHC) was in the apical part of the cochlea, while the highest density of inner hair cells (IHC) was in its middle part. This OHC density pattern corresponds with good low-frequency hearing, whereas the IHC pattern suggests sensitivity to higher frequencies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Pleštilová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská, 1760, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Ema Hrouzková
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská, 1760, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Hynek Burda
- Department of Game Management and Wildlife Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, 16521, Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Yonas Meheretu
- Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, University of Mekelle, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Radim Šumbera
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská, 1760, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Martonos CO, Gudea A, Damian A, Lăcătuș R, Purdoiu R, Cocan D, Stan FG. Morphological and morphometrical aspects of the auditory ossicles in goat (Capra hircus). Anat Histol Embryol 2020; 50:184-191. [PMID: 32946143 DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The present paper deals with a detailed description of the auditory ossicles in Capra hircus. The paper focuses on the morphological and morphometrical description of the ossicular assembly, formed by malleus, incus and stapes. The malleus (overall length, as average- 8.16 mm) comprises the head of malleus (Caput mallei), a slightly strictured part-neck (Collum mallei) with 3 distinctive processes (lateral, rostral and muscular) (Processus lateralis, Processus rostralis and Processus muscularis) and a handle (Manubrium mallei). The head of malleus has an oval aspect with an obtuse articular surface on its medial surface (Facies articularis). The neck is evident with three bony processes described-the anterior, almost triangular, the muscular one quite reduced and the lateral one which is the most developed one. The manubrium is the longest sector-4.4 mm and appears as a slightly curved piece. The incus presents a body of 1.3 mm and two processes-the short and long crus (Crus breve and Crus longum). The overall shape of the ossicle resembles a biradicular molar. The lenticular process is a continuation of the distal part of the long crus. The stapes-the smallest in size of the three ossicles (2.7 mm), has a head (Caput stapedis), an anterior (Crus rostrale) and a caudal (Crus caudale) arm and a footplate (Basis stapedis). The two processes are slightly different in size and morphology, delimiting the intercrural space that shows the presence of a bony spicule. The footplate (1.6 mm2 area) is ellipsoidal, with an anterior narrower extremity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Olimpiu Martonos
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alexandru Gudea
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Aurel Damian
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Radu Lăcătuș
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Robert Purdoiu
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Daniel Cocan
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Zootechnics and Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Florin Gheorghe Stan
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Additional row of outer hair cells – The unique pattern of the Corti organ in a subterranean rodent, the Gansu zokor (Eospalax cansus). Mamm Biol 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2018.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
7
|
Gerhardt P, Henning Y, Begall S, Malkemper EP. Audiograms of three subterranean rodent species (genus Fukomys) determined by auditory brainstem responses reveal extremely poor high-frequency hearing. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 220:4377-4382. [PMID: 29025871 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.164426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Life underground has shaped the auditory sense of subterranean mammals, shifting their hearing range to low frequencies. Mole-rats of the genus Fukomys have, however, been suggested to hear at frequencies up to 18.5 kHz, unusually high for a subterranean rodent. We present audiograms of three mole-rat species, Fukomys anselli, Fukomys micklemi and the giant mole-rat Fukomys mechowii, based on evoked auditory brainstem potentials. All species showed low sensitivity and restricted hearing ranges at 60 dB SPL extending from 125 Hz to 4 kHz (5 octaves) with most-sensitive hearing between 0.8 kHz and 1.4 kHz. The high-frequency cut-offs are the lowest found in mammals to date. In contrast to predictions from middle ear morphology, F. mechowii did not show higher sensitivity than F. anselli in the low-frequency range. These data suggest that the hearing range of Fukomys mole-rats is highly restricted to low frequencies and similar to that of other subterranean mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Gerhardt
- Department of General Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
| | - Yoshiyuki Henning
- Department of General Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
| | - Sabine Begall
- Department of General Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany
| | - E Pascal Malkemper
- Department of General Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany .,Department of Wildlife Management, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, 16521 Praha 6, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Koyabu D, Hosojima M, Endo H. Into the dark: patterns of middle ear adaptations in subterranean eulipotyphlan mammals. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2017; 4:170608. [PMID: 28989763 PMCID: PMC5627103 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.170608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Evolution of the middle ear ossicles was a key innovation for mammals, enhancing the transmission of airborne sound. Radiation into various habitats from a terrestrial environment resulted in diversification of the auditory mechanisms among mammals. However, due to the paucity of phylogenetically controlled investigations, how middle ear traits have diversified with functional specialization remains unclear. In order to identify the respective patterns for various lifestyles and to gain insights into fossil forms, we employed a high-resolution tomography technique and compared the middle ear morphology of eulipotyphlan species (moles, shrews and hedgehogs), a group that has radiated into various environments, such as terrestrial, aquatic and subterranean habitats. Three-dimensional geometric morphometric analysis was conducted within a phylogenetically controlled framework. Quantitative shapes were found to strongly reflect the degree of subterranean lifestyle and weakly involve phylogeny. Our analyses demonstrate that subterranean adaptation should include a relatively shorter anterior process of the malleus, an enlarged incus, an enlarged stapes footplate and a reduction of the orbicular apophysis. These traits arguably allow improving low-frequency sound transmission at low frequencies and inhibiting the low-frequency noise which disturbs the subterranean animals in hearing airborne sounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Koyabu
- The University Museum, The University of Tokyo, Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo-ku, 113-0033 Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | |
Collapse
|