Frugal strategy as a base of mole-vole (Ellobius talpinus: Rodentia) adaptations to the fossorial way of life
Institute of Animal Systematica and Ecology Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences
Frunze street, 11, Novosibirsk 630091, Russia
e-mail: ep@eco.nsc.ru
Interspecies comparison of rodents (Rodentia, Cricetidae) of different ecological specialization has revealed dramatic differences in the most essential physiological life history traits between social fossorial mole vole (Ellobius talpinus ) and terrestrial rodents, dwarf hamsters (Phodopus ) and voles (Clethrionomys ). Mole voles have decreased standard and maximal metabolic rates, reduced ability to maintain constant body temperature, lower rates of growth and sexual maturation, lower reproductive output, declined immune and stress response. These life history traits, shaped by the unique peculiarities of the soil environment, provide effective resource re-allocation towards the costly burrowing activity. Spatial and temporal variability of ecological conditions inevitable for any species additionally participate in re-allocation of internal resources. In cold seasons of the year mole voles increase their metabolic activity and become homeothermic. In the north-eastern periphery of the species range, mole voles are fare more stressed and differ from the individuals inhabit the central part of the range with decreased longevity and increased reproductive output on the level of the entire population.
