Elvert R, Kronfeld N, Dayan T, Haim A, Zisapel N, Heldmaier G
Department of Biology, Philipps-University, D-35032 Marburg, Germany e-mail:
Department of Zoology Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel, , , , , , IL.
Oecologia. 1999 Jun;119(4):484-492. doi: 10.1007/s004420050811.
Two species of the genus Acomys coexist in arid zones of southern Israel. Acomys russatus is distributed in extremely arid areas, while A. cahirinus is common in both Mediterranean and arid regions. Individuals of both species from a rodent community in the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve were implanted with temperature-sensitive transmitters. Body temperature (T ) rhythms were recorded in free-ranging mice at four different seasons of the year. A. cahirinus (30-45 g) showed a nocturnal rhythm of T throughout the year. In the activity phase during the night T increased to 38.2°C. During the day T decreased to 34°C. This species displayed this pattern in summer also when ambient temperatures rose above T . The T of A. russatus (45-65 g) varied between 34.8 and 41°C during the hot season, showing a bimodal temperature rhythm with maximal values in the morning and in the evening. Measurements of activity in this species showed inactivity during the hottest period of a summer day. In winter A. russatus showed no clearly detectable diurnal or ultradian rhythm in T , which remained constant between narrow limits of 35.2 and 36.8°C.
刺睡鼠属的两个物种共存于以色列南部的干旱地区。罗氏刺睡鼠分布在极端干旱地区，而埃及刺睡鼠在地中海地区和干旱地区都很常见。来自恩盖迪自然保护区一个啮齿动物群落的这两个物种的个体都被植入了温度敏感发射器。在一年的四个不同季节，对自由活动的小鼠记录体温（T）节律。埃及刺睡鼠（30 - 45克）全年都表现出夜间体温节律。在夜间活动阶段，体温升至38.2°C。白天体温降至34°C。即使在夏季环境温度高于体温时，该物种也呈现这种模式。罗氏刺睡鼠（45 - 65克）在炎热季节体温在34.8至41°C之间变化，呈现双峰温度节律，在早晨和傍晚出现最大值。对该物种活动的测量表明，在夏季一天中最热的时候不活动。冬季罗氏刺睡鼠的体温没有明显可检测到的昼夜或超日节律，保持在35.2至36.8°C 的狭窄范围内恒定不变。
