Ectoparasite burdens of the common mole-rat (Cryptomys hottentotus hottentotus) from the Cape Provinces of South Africa.

Luteinising hormone responses to single doses of exogenous GnRH in the solitary Cape mole- rat (Georychus capensis) and the social Natal mole-rat (Cryptomys hottentotus

Subterranean Sympatry: An Investigation into Diet Using Stable Isotope Analysis

In the Western Cape three species of mole-rat occur in sympatry, however, little is known about differences in their dietary preferences. Dietary composition of the three species; the common mole-rat (Cryptomys hottentotus hottentotus), the Cape mole-rat (Georychus capensis) and the Cape dune mole-rat (Bathyergus suillus) were examined using stable isotope analysis. Blood, fur and claw samples ...

Social common mole-rats enhance outbreeding via extra-pair mating.

Females in many species engage in matings with males that are not their social mates. These matings are predicted to increase offspring heterozygosity and fitness, and thereby prevent the deleterious effects of inbreeding. We tested this hypothesis in a cooperative breeding mammal, the common mole-rat Cryptomys hottentotus hottentotus. Laboratory-based studies suggested a system of strict socia...

Passive uptake in the small intestine and active uptake in the hindgut contribute to the highly efficient mineral metabolism of the common mole-rat, Cryptomys hottentotus.

Cryptomys hottentotus has no access to dietary or endogenous sources of cholecalciferol (D3). Serum concentrations of calcifediol (25(OH)D3) were undetectable (< 5 ng/ml) and calcitriol (1,25(OH)2D3), although detectable in plasma, was at a low concentration (31.40 (SEM 3.06 pg/ml). Despite their naturally impoverished vitamin D status, these animals exhibited highly efficient mineral absorptio...

Fos expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus in response to light stimulation in a solitary and social species of African mole-rat (family Bathyergidae).

Mole-rats are strictly subterranean rodents that are rarely exposed to environmental light. They are well adapted to their environment and have reduced eyes and a severely regressed visual system. It has been shown, however, that mole-rats do exhibit endogenous circadian rhythms that can be entrained, suggesting an intact and functional circadian system. To determine whether light is the entrai...