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Bioenergetics of reproduction and postnatal development of two species of social mole-rat of genus \kur{Fukomys}
ZEMANOVÁ, Milada
The resting metabolic rate of mole-rats was measured with a close-flow respirometry system and body temperature was recorded with a rectal thermometer at an ambient temperature within and below adult thermoneutrality range. The development of ability to thermoregulate was monitored for pups of Fukomys sp. Huddling and presence of adults reduced the body heat loss of pups of all monitored age, but no effect was observed on the metabolic rate of the pups until they were two months old. Huddling had no effect on resting metabolic rate and body temperature in adult giant mole-rats Fukomys mechowii. The maternal cost of reproduction was evaluated in females from two species of the genus Fukomys. The energetic expenditure of females increased with pup´s age.
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Daily energy expenditure of subterranean rodent, mole-rat \kur{Fukomys darlingi}, in the relation with group size and temperature
WIEDENOVÁ, Pavlína
Daily energy expenditure (DEE) was examined in the social subterranean rodent Mashona mole-rat (Fukomys darlingi) by the long-term (24 hours) indirect calorimetry. Individuals´ DEEs were compared with DEEs of grouped mole-rats (groups of 2, 3, 4 and 7) to establish the role of social thermoregulation (?huddling?) in this species at two different temperatures (20 and 30°C). The average DEE of single isolated individual was 1.84 ? 0.25 mlO2 g-1h-1 at Ta = 30°C and 2.99 ? 0.34 mlO2 g-1h-1 at Ta = 20°C. The influence of group size on daily energy expenditure (DEE) was observed. The energy savings rose with the increasing number of individuals up to 33.77% in group of seven. Maximal energy savings at 30°C were reached in group of three animals and did not increase further with an increasing number of animas in the group. Similarly at 20°C the maximal savings were observed when seven animals were present. My results confirm that social thermoregulation is an essential mechanism that saves energy expenditure of F. darlingi, which is important in the food-scarce underground environment.
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The Thermoregulatory Abilities in a Mole-rat \kur{Fukomys darlingi} and its Development in Pups
ZEMANOVÁ, Milada
The oxygen consumption and body temperature were measured in adults and pups of a social Mashona mole-rat(Fukomys darlingi)to test poikilothermic traits in this species and effect of presence of adults on pup´s thermoregulation abilities. The adult´s resting metabolic rate was 0.76 {$\pm$} 0.20 mlO2g-1hod-1 in the thermoneutral zone 27-34°C. We did not confirm poikilotermic traits in this species, because body temperature was stable (33.0 {$\pm$} 0.5°C) at low ambient temperatures. The pups started to thermoregulate in age of one month and they are able to maintain stable body temperature very late in age of three months. My results indicate that presence of adults is necessary for thermoregulation of pups.
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The Thermoregulatory Abilities in a Mole-rat \kur{Fukomys darlingi} and its Development in Pups
ZEMANOVÁ, Milada
The oxygen consumption and body temperature were measured in adults and pups of a social Mashona mole-rat(Fukomys darlingi)to test poikilothermic traits in this species and effect of presence of adults on pup´s thermoregulation abilities. The adult´s resting metabolic rate was 0.76 {$\pm$} 0.20 mlO2g-1hod-1 in the thermoneutral zone 27-34°C. We did not confirm poikilotermic traits in this species, because body temperature was stable (33.0 {$\pm$} 0.5°C) at low ambient temperatures. The pups started to thermoregulate in age of one month and they are able to maintain stable body temperature very late in age of three months. My results indicate that presence of adults is necessary for thermoregulation of pups.
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