Naumova E I, Ushakova N A, Meshcherskiĭ I G, Kostina N V, Umarov M M
Severtsov Institute of Problems of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
Izv Akad Nauk Ser Biol. 2000 May-Jun(3):329-31.
We have conducted a series of experiments in order to test hypothesis about the possible use of nitrogen fixation by small phytophagous mammals as a way to supplement their nitrogen balance. Two groups of red voles Clethrionomys rutilis were kept on rations with different protein nitrogen content. Three days later, the rate of nitrogen fixation was determined in different regions of the digestive tract. Nitrogen-fixing activity has been detected in the GI tract of all studied voles, specifically in those regions, where symbiocenoses were present; it was particularly high in animals of the experimental group under the conditions of dietary nitrogen limitation. A mixed culture of bacteria capable of nitrogen fixation has been isolated from the digestive tract of red voles.
为了验证小型植食性哺乳动物可能利用固氮作用来补充其氮平衡这一假说，我们进行了一系列实验。将两组红背䶄（Clethrionomys rutilis）置于蛋白质氮含量不同的日粮中饲养。三天后，测定消化道不同区域的固氮率。在所有研究的田鼠的胃肠道中均检测到固氮活性，特别是在存在共生群落的区域；在日粮氮限制条件下，实验组动物的固氮活性尤其高。从红背䶄的消化道中分离出了能够固氮的混合细菌培养物。
