1
|
Balcarcel AM, Geiger M, Clauss M, Sánchez‐Villagra MR. The mammalian brain under domestication: Discovering patterns after a century of old and new analyses. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART B, MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2022; 338:460-483. [PMID: 34813150 PMCID: PMC9787656 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.23105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Comparisons of wild and domestic populations have established brain reduction as one of the most consistent patterns correlated with domestication. Over a century of scholarly work has been devoted to this subject, and yet, new data continue to foster its debate. Current arguments, both for and against the validity of brain reduction occurring in domestic taxa, have repeatedly cited a small set of reviews on this subject. The original works, their sampling, methodological details, and nuances of results that would be key to establishing validity, particularly in light of new data, have not been investigated. To facilitate and encourage a more informed discussion, we present a comprehensive review of original brain reduction literature for four mammalian clades: Artiodactyla, Perissodactyla, Carnivora, and Glires. Among these are studies that generated the most cited brain reduction values in modern domestication literature. In doing so, we provide a fairer stage for the critique of traits associated with domestication. We conclude that while brain reduction magnitudes may contain error, empirical data collectively support the reduction in brain size and cranial capacity for domestic forms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A. M. Balcarcel
- Palaeontological Institute and MuseumUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - M. Geiger
- Palaeontological Institute and MuseumUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - M. Clauss
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and WildlifeUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Balcarcel AM, Veitschegger K, Clauss M, Sánchez-Villagra MR. Intensive human contact correlates with smaller brains: differential brain size reduction in cattle types. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20210813. [PMID: 34102890 PMCID: PMC8188006 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.0813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cattle are one of the most intensively bred domestic animals, providing humans with a multitude of products and uses. Using data from the fossil record, we test if their domestication, as for other taxa, has resulted in a reduction of their brain size. We not only conclude that Bos taurus (domestic cattle) have smaller brains than their wild ancestor, Bos primigenius (aurochs), but that brain size varies significantly by breed, with some having much smaller brains than others. Differences in husbandry practices between several breed categories align with a range of human engagement, which also aligns with the degree of selection for docility. Sampling 317 domestics from 71 breeds, we investigate if differences in brain size correlate with the intensity of human contact. A clear pattern emerges whereby a brain reduction gradient parallels a gradient in behavioural selection. Bullfighting cattle, which are bred for fighting and aggressive temperament, have much larger brains than dairy breeds, which are intensively selected for docility. Our results add to a fundamental aspect of animal domestication theory: the interplay between basic features of the domestic environment-selection for docility, absence of predators and human provision of resources-seems to explain differences in brain size.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A. M. Balcarcel
- Palaeontological Institute and Museum, University of Zurich, Karl-Schmid-Strasse 4, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - K. Veitschegger
- Palaeontological Institute and Museum, University of Zurich, Karl-Schmid-Strasse 4, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - M. Clauss
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - M. R. Sánchez-Villagra
- Palaeontological Institute and Museum, University of Zurich, Karl-Schmid-Strasse 4, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lord KA, Larson G, Karlsson EK. Brain Size Does Not Rescue Domestication Syndrome. Trends Ecol Evol 2020; 35:1061-1062. [PMID: 33129589 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2020.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn A Lord
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Greger Larson
- The Palaeogenomics and Bio-Archaeology Research Network, Research Laboratory for Archaeology and History of Art, University of Oxford,1 South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3TG, UK
| | - Elinor K Karlsson
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Haas OV, Henke J, Leibold C, Thurley K. Modality-specific Subpopulations of Place Fields Coexist in the Hippocampus. Cereb Cortex 2020; 29:1109-1120. [PMID: 29912390 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhy017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hippocampal place cells integrate signals from multiple sensory modalities. However, it is unclear how these different inputs are combined to generate place fields. We investigated how visual spatial cues and an animal's locomotion are integrated by CA3 place cells of Mongolian gerbils. While the animals moved on a virtual linear track, we adapted the gain between the visually projected environment and the treadmill movement. Place cells responded differently to this manipulation. In a subset, place fields were kept in accord with salient visual cues in the virtual environment or reward location, whereas in another subset, place fields were strongly influenced by locomotion. Theta phase precession was present and indistinguishable between the place field types. Theta compression remained intact under gain changes and extended over both types of place field. Hippocampal place cells thus retain strong influence from distinct input streams suggesting a role of the hippocampus CA3 as a multimodal associator on the theta time scale.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olivia V Haas
- Department Biology II, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Martinsried, Germany.,Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Munich, Martinsried, Germany.,Graduate School for Systemic Neurosciences Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Josephine Henke
- Department Biology II, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Martinsried, Germany.,Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Munich, Martinsried, Germany.,Graduate School for Systemic Neurosciences Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Christian Leibold
- Department Biology II, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Martinsried, Germany.,Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Kay Thurley
- Department Biology II, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Martinsried, Germany.,Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Macharadze T, Budinger E, Brosch M, Scheich H, Ohl FW, Henschke JU. Early Sensory Loss Alters the Dendritic Branching and Spine Density of Supragranular Pyramidal Neurons in Rodent Primary Sensory Cortices. Front Neural Circuits 2019; 13:61. [PMID: 31611778 PMCID: PMC6773815 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2019.00061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Multisensory integration in primary auditory (A1), visual (V1), and somatosensory cortex (S1) is substantially mediated by their direct interconnections and by thalamic inputs across the sensory modalities. We have previously shown in rodents (Mongolian gerbils) that during postnatal development, the anatomical and functional strengths of these crossmodal and also of sensory matched connections are determined by early auditory, somatosensory, and visual experience. Because supragranular layer III pyramidal neurons are major targets of corticocortical and thalamocortical connections, we investigated in this follow-up study how the loss of early sensory experience changes their dendritic morphology. Gerbils were sensory deprived early in development by either bilateral sciatic nerve transection at postnatal day (P) 5, ototoxic inner hair cell damage at P10, or eye enucleation at P10. Sholl and branch order analyses of Golgi-stained layer III pyramidal neurons at P28, which demarcates the end of the sensory critical period in this species, revealed that visual and somatosensory deprivation leads to a general increase of apical and basal dendritic branching in A1, V1, and S1. In contrast, dendritic branching, particularly of apical dendrites, decreased in all three areas following auditory deprivation. Generally, the number of spines, and consequently spine density, along the apical and basal dendrites decreased in both sensory deprived and non-deprived cortical areas. Therefore, we conclude that the loss of early sensory experience induces a refinement of corticocortical crossmodal and other cortical and thalamic connections by pruning of dendritic spines at the end of the critical period. Based on present and previous own results and on findings from the literature, we propose a scenario for multisensory development following early sensory loss.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tamar Macharadze
- Department Systems Physiology of Learning, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany.,Clinic for Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Otto von Guericke University Hospital, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Eike Budinger
- Department Systems Physiology of Learning, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Michael Brosch
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany.,Special Lab Primate Neurobiology, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Henning Scheich
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany.,Emeritus Group Lifelong Learning, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Frank W Ohl
- Department Systems Physiology of Learning, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany.,Institute for Biology, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Julia U Henschke
- Institute of Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research (IKND), Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Xu DL, Xu MM, Wang DH. Effects of air temperatures on antioxidant defense and immunity in Mongolian gerbils. J Therm Biol 2019; 84:111-120. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2019.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
|
7
|
Liu X, Zheng X, Liu Y, Du X, Chen Z. Effects of adaptation to handling on the circadian rhythmicity of blood solutes in Mongolian gerbils. Animal Model Exp Med 2019; 2:127-131. [PMID: 31392306 PMCID: PMC6600653 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The Mongolian gerbil has been widely used in many research fields and has been reported to be a diurnal laboratory animal. The circadian rhythmicity of these gerbils was investigated in the present study by measuring two hormones that show daily oscillations, cortisol and ACTH, in serum using ELISA kits. The levels of the two hormones were highest at 8:00 am and their rhythmic changes were similar to those in humans. In addition, the influence of stress of handling and blood collection on the physiological parameters of the gerbils was examined. After adaptation to handling for 1 week, some serum parameters in the animals changed. Handling and blood collection did not impact significantly on the following parameters: creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LD), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and albumin (ALB). However, blood glucose (GLU), total protein (TP) and globulin (GLB) significantly increased while creatinine (CRE) and albumin/globulin (A/G) significantly decreased after adaptation. This work further confirms that the Mongolian gerbil is a diurnal animal and also indicates that a suitable adaptation procedure is necessary for getting reliable results when performing experiments using these animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xingchen Liu
- School of Basic Medical ScienceCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Xiang Zheng
- School of Basic Medical ScienceCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yihan Liu
- School of Basic Medical ScienceCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Xiaoyan Du
- School of Basic Medical ScienceCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
- Department of Laboratory AnimalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Zhenwen Chen
- School of Basic Medical ScienceCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
The different baseline characteristics of cognitive behavior test between Mongolian gerbils and rats. Behav Brain Res 2018; 352:28-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.09.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Revised: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
|
9
|
|
10
|
Abstract
Although inbred domesticated strains of rats and mice serve as traditional mammalian animal models in biomedical research, the nocturnal habits of these rodents make them inappropriate for research that requires a model with human-like diurnal activity rhythms. We conducted a literature review and recorded locomotor activity data from four rodent species that are generally considered to be diurnally active, the Mongolian gerbil ( Meriones unguiculatus), the degu ( Octodon degus), the African (Nile) grass rat ( Arvicanthis niloticus), and the antelope ground squirrel ( Ammospermophilus leucurus). Our data collected under 12-hour light/dark cycles confirmed and expanded the existing literature in showing that the activity rhythms of antelope ground squirrels and African grass rats are stronger and more concentrated in the light phase of the light/dark cycle than the activity rhythms of Mongolian gerbils and degus, making the former two species preferable and more reliable as models of consistent diurnal activity in the laboratory. Among the two more strongly diurnal species, antelope ground squirrels are more exclusively diurnal and have more robust activity rhythms than African grass rats. Although animals of these two species are not currently available from commercial suppliers, African grass rats are indigenous to a wide area across the north of Africa and thus available to researchers in the eastern hemisphere, whereas antelope ground squirrels can be found throughout much of western North America's desert country and, therefore, are more easily accessible to North American researchers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Refinetti
- 1 Circadian Rhythm Laboratory, Department of Psychological Science, Boise State University, USA
| | - G J Kenagy
- 2 Department of Biology and Burke Museum, University of Washington, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Brekke TD, Steele KA, Mulley JF. Inbred or Outbred? Genetic Diversity in Laboratory Rodent Colonies. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2018; 8:679-686. [PMID: 29242387 PMCID: PMC5919727 DOI: 10.1534/g3.117.300495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Nonmodel rodents are widely used as subjects for both basic and applied biological research, but the genetic diversity of the study individuals is rarely quantified. University-housed colonies tend to be small and subject to founder effects and genetic drift; so they may be highly inbred or show substantial genetic divergence from other colonies, even those derived from the same source. Disregard for the levels of genetic diversity in an animal colony may result in a failure to replicate results if a different colony is used to repeat an experiment, as different colonies may have fixed alternative variants. Here we use high throughput sequencing to demonstrate genetic divergence in three isolated colonies of Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) even though they were all established recently from the same source. We also show that genetic diversity in allegedly "outbred" colonies of nonmodel rodents (gerbils, hamsters, house mice, deer mice, and rats) varies considerably from nearly no segregating diversity to very high levels of polymorphism. We conclude that genetic divergence in isolated colonies may play an important role in the "replication crisis." In a more positive light, divergent rodent colonies represent an opportunity to leverage genetically distinct individuals in genetic crossing experiments. In sum, awareness of the genetic diversity of an animal colony is paramount as it allows researchers to properly replicate experiments and also to capitalize on other genetically distinct individuals to explore the genetic basis of a trait.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas D Brekke
- School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, LL57 2DG, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine A Steele
- School of Environment, Natural Resources and Geography, Bangor University, LL57 2DG, United Kingdom
| | - John F Mulley
- School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, LL57 2DG, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
Most behaviors in mammals are directly or indirectly guided by prior experience and therefore depend on the ability of our brains to form memories. The ability to form an association between an initially possibly neutral sensory stimulus and its behavioral relevance is essential for our ability to navigate in a changing environment. The formation of a memory is a complex process involving many areas of the brain. In this chapter we review classic and recent work that has shed light on the specific contribution of sensory cortical areas to the formation of associative memories. We discuss synaptic and circuit mechanisms that mediate plastic adaptations of functional properties in individual neurons as well as larger neuronal populations forming topographically organized representations. Furthermore, we describe commonly used behavioral paradigms that are used to study the mechanisms of memory formation. We focus on the auditory modality that is receiving increasing attention for the study of associative memory in rodent model systems. We argue that sensory cortical areas may play an important role for the memory-dependent categorical recognition of previously encountered sensory stimuli.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Aschauer
- Institute of Physiology, Focus Program Translational Neurosciences (FTN), University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Simon Rumpel
- Institute of Physiology, Focus Program Translational Neurosciences (FTN), University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Xu DL, Hu XK, Tian YF. Effect of temperature and food restriction on immune function in striped hamsters ( Cricetulus barabensis). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 220:2187-2195. [PMID: 28381582 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.153601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Small mammals in temperate areas face seasonal fluctuations of temperature and food availability, both of which may influence their immune responses, which are critical to survival. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that low temperature and food restriction suppress immune function in striped hamsters (Cricetulus barabensis). Thirty-seven adult male hamsters were randomly assigned to warm (23±1°C) and cold (5±1°C) treatment groups, which were further divided into fed and food-restricted groups. Body mass was not affected by cold stress, food restriction or the interaction cold stress×food restriction. Cold stress decreased total body fat mass, haematological parameters including white blood cells, lymphocytes and neutrophilic granulocytes, and immunoglobin (Ig) M titres 5 days after injecting keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH). However, cold temperature increased bacterial killing capacity, indicative of innate immunity, and did not affect the mass of the thymus and spleen, intermediate granulocytes, the phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) response and the levels of blood glucose and serum leptin. Corticosterone concentration was affected significantly by the interaction cold stress×food restriction but not by cold stress or food restriction alone. Food restriction reduced thymus mass, but other immunological parameters including body fat mass, spleen mass, haematological parameters, innate immunity, PHA response, the titres of IgM and IgG, and the levels of blood glucose and serum leptin were all not affected by food restriction or the interaction cold stress×food restriction. Innate immunity was positively correlated with leptin levels, whereas no significant correlations were observed in the levels of blood glucose, serum leptin, corticosterone and all the detected immune parameters. Our results show that cold stress suppressed humoral immunity but enhanced innate immunity and did not affect cellular immunity in striped hamsters. Most immunological indices were not influenced by food restriction. Blood glucose, leptin and corticosterone could not explain the changes of innate, cellular and humoral immunity upon cold stress or food restriction in striped hamsters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- De-Li Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong Province 273165, China
| | - Xiao-Kai Hu
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong Province 273165, China
| | - Yu-Fen Tian
- Library, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong Province 273165, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
van der Woude E, Smid HM. How to escape from Haller's rule: Olfactory system complexity in small and large Trichogramma evanescens parasitic wasps. J Comp Neurol 2015; 524:1876-91. [PMID: 26560192 DOI: 10.1002/cne.23927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Revised: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
While Haller's rule states that small animals have relatively larger brains, minute Trichogramma evanescens Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) parasitic wasps scale brain size linearly with body size. This linear brain scaling allows them to decrease brain size beyond the predictions of Haller's rule, and is facilitated by phenotypic plasticity in brain size. In the present study we addressed whether this plasticity resulted in adaptations to the complexity of the morphology of the olfactory system of small and large T. evanescens. We used confocal laser scanning microscopy to compare size and number of glomeruli in the antennal lobe in the brain, and scanning electron microscopy to compare length and number of olfactory sensilla on the antennae. The results show a similar level of complexity of the olfactory system morphology of small and large wasps. Wasps with a similar genotype but very different brain and body size have similarly sized olfactory sensilla and most of them occur in equal numbers on the antennae. Small and large wasps also have a similar number of glomeruli in the antennal lobe. Glomeruli in small brains are, however, smaller in both absolute and relative volume. These similarities between small and large wasps may indicate that plasticity in brain size does not require plasticity in the gross morphology of the olfactory system. It may be vital for wasps of all sizes to have a large number of olfactory receptor types, to maintain olfactory precision in their search for suitable hosts, and consequently maintain their reproductive success and Darwinian fitness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma van der Woude
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans M Smid
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Hurtado-Parrado C, González CH, Moreno LM, González CA, Arias M, Beltrán L, Cardona S. Catalogue of the behaviour of Meriones unguiculatus f. dom. (Mongolian gerbil) and wild conspecies, in captivity and under natural conditions, based on a systematic literature review. J ETHOL 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10164-015-0421-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
16
|
Comparative quantitative investigations on brains of wild cavies (Cavia aperea) and guinea pigs (Cavia aperea f. porcellus). A contribution to size changes of CNS structures due to domestication. Mamm Biol 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2013.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
|
17
|
Ferguson SA, Maier KL. A review of seasonal/circannual effects of laboratory rodent behavior. Physiol Behav 2013; 119:130-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2013.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2013] [Revised: 05/13/2013] [Accepted: 06/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
|
18
|
Liu XY, Xu DL, Wang DH. High body weight associated with impaired nonshivering thermogenesis but improved glucose tolerance in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). J Therm Biol 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2012.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
|
19
|
Hare B, Wobber V, Wrangham R. The self-domestication hypothesis: evolution of bonobo psychology is due to selection against aggression. Anim Behav 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2011.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 344] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
|
20
|
XU D, LIU X, WANG D. Impairment of cellular and humoral immunity in overweight Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Integr Zool 2011; 6:352-65. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-4877.2011.00259.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
|
21
|
Krause S, Schüler L. Behavioural and endocrinological changes in Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) under domestication. J Anim Breed Genet 2010; 127:452-61. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0388.2010.00861.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
22
|
Budinger E, Scheich H. Anatomical connections suitable for the direct processing of neuronal information of different modalities via the rodent primary auditory cortex. Hear Res 2009; 258:16-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2009.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2009] [Revised: 04/30/2009] [Accepted: 04/30/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
23
|
Acoustic startle and prepulse inhibition in the Mongolian gerbil. Physiol Behav 2009; 98:460-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2009.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2008] [Revised: 07/03/2009] [Accepted: 07/27/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
24
|
Strain-dependence of age-related cochlear hearing loss in wild and domesticated Mongolian gerbils. Hear Res 2008; 235:72-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2007.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2007] [Revised: 09/12/2007] [Accepted: 10/06/2007] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
|
25
|
Stuermer IW, Tittmann C, Schilling C, Blottner S. Reproduction of wild Mongolian gerbils bred in the laboratory with respect to generation and season 1. Morphological changes and fertility lifespan. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.1079/asc200638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
AbstractA new strain of wild Meriones unguiculatus (strain Ugoe:MU95, named WILD) with high genetic variability was recently established in Germany. A previous study showed that offspring (F-1) of WILD founders (F-0) showed reduced spermatogenesis and testosterone compared to domesticated gerbils (LAB) maintained under similar conditions. We investigated F-0 and subsequent generations in respect to sexual maturation, duration of fertility and gonadal weights of different seasons. Body and reproductive organ weights showed negligible seasonal fluctuations in both strains. Testis and epididymis weights in WILD covered a wide range, which indicates a high reproductive variability. Reproductive organ weights increased in F-3. Less variable and high reproductive organ weights (testis >900 mg, epididymis >200 mg) in almost all LAB illustrate their readiness to reproduce, even in small individuals. Prominent testis (T+) was found in 71% of adult males (F-1, F-2) reflecting the natural portion of T+(63%) found in wild gerbils investigated in Mongolia in 1995 and 2002. Testicular descent was accelerated and pronounced in WILD F-3 (T+, 88%) and LAB (T+, 91%). Time between mating and the first litter was significantly longer in wild F-0 than in their offspring or LAB. The average age in wild F-0 when the last litter was born was 27 months. Breeding went on for 2 to 32 months and was mostly terminated by the death of the females. Relative testis and epididymis weights correspond in young adults and in old males up to 6 years, the total life span of male wild Mongolian gerbils. In summary, the results suggest that laboratory conditions improve the reproductive fitness of wild gerbils.
Collapse
|
26
|
|
27
|
|