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4.1. Der Goldhamster Mesocricetus Auratus Die Gattung Mesocricetus Umfasst Vier Arten M

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4.1. Der Goldhamster Mesocricetus Auratus Die Gattung Mesocricetus Umfasst Vier Arten M 4. Genetische Variabilität und Populationsstruktur des Goldhamsters Mesoc- ricetus auratus (Waterhouse) 4.1. Der Goldhamster Mesocricetus auratus Die Gattung Mesocricetus umfasst vier Arten M. auratus, M. raddei, M. brandti und M. newtoni (Wilson und Reeder 1993; Duff und Lawson 2004). Wenige Studien be- schäftigen sich mit der Evolution der einzelnen Arten und deren verwandtschaftlichen Beziehungen (Hamar und Schutowa 1966; Hosey 1982; Niethammer 1982). Neue Erkenntnisse dazu wurden bereits im Kapitel über die Systematik der Cricetinae dis- kutiert. Die mit Abstand bekannteste Hamsterart ist der Goldhamster M. auratus (Abb. 1). Seine Popularität verdankt er seiner guten Eignung als Labortier aber auch seiner Attraktivität als Heimtier. Kurze Generationszeiten und anspruchslose Haltung mach- ten ihn zu einem wichtigen Versuchstier für die biologische und medizinische For- schung (Clark 1987). Abb. 1 Goldhamster (Foto: K. Neumann) Besondere Bedeutung erlangte der Goldhamster für die Chronobiologie (Lowrey et al. 2000), für die er als Modelltier gilt. Bemerkenswert ist auch die Historie der Labor- population des Goldhamsters. Die gesamte Laborpopulation geht auf drei Nach- 99 kommen eines Weibchens zurück, das 1930 in der der Nähe von Aleppo/Syrien ge- fangen wurde (Aharoni 1932, Gattermann 2000). Die Gefangenschaftspopulation beträgt inzwischen mehrere Millionen Tiere. Kein anderes Säugetier erzielte einen solchen Reproduktionserfolg ausgehend von einem so kleinen Genpool. Deshalb wird der Goldhamster mitunter als Musterbeispiel für die erfolgreiche Etablierung ei- ner stabilen Population trotz hoher genetischer Inzucht angeführt (u.a. Frankham et al. 2000). Der geringe genetische Polymorphiegrad der Laborhamster (McGuire et al. 1985; Watkins et al. 1990) schränkte allerdings deren Nutzung für molekulargeneti- sche Untersuchungen wie Genom-Sequenzierungen oder Kartierungs-Experimente interessanter Loci entscheidend ein (Okuizumi et al. 1997). Obwohl eine große Zahl von Studien und biologischen Daten zur Laborpopulation existiert, gibt es kaum Erkenntnisse zur Ökologie oder Populationsgenetik des Gold- hamsters im Freiland. Dies ist insbesondere problematisch, da eine Bewertung be- kannter biologischer Phänomene der Laborhamster wie z.B. eine stabile Aktivitäts- rhythmik (Tagesruhe/Nachtaktivität), relative Inzuchtresistenz oder geringe Trans- plantatabstoßung (kaum MHC-Variabilität) nur im Vergleich mit der Wildpopulation erfolgen kann. Die wenigen bisher dazu vorgenommenen Studien beschränken sich auf den Vergleich von herkömmlichen Laborzuchtlinien mit einer zweiten, von Mur- phy 1971 etablierten Linie. Die Murphy-Linie ging aus 11 Tieren hervor, die in Syrien gefangen und nach Amerika verbracht wurden. Tiere dieser inzwischen erloschenen Linie fanden keinen Eingang in den Haupt-Genpool der Laborpopulation. Daten zur Ökologie und Verbreitung des Goldhamsters sind anekdotenhaft und beschränken sich auf wenige Expeditionsberichte (Aharoni 1932; Murphy 1971 und 1985; Lyman und O’Brian 1977). Deshalb wurden zwei Expeditionen nach Syrien (1999, 2000) und drei weitere in die Türkei (2002, 2003, 2005) durchgeführt, um neue Erkenntnisse zur Verbreitung, Verhalten und Ökologie des Goldhamsters zu gewinnen. Die Etablie- rung eines neuen Wildstammes als auch die Sammlung von Gewebeproben ergab dabei die Möglichkeit vergleichende morphologische, ethologische und genetische Untersuchungen zu konzipieren. Publikation V: „Notes on the current distribution and the ecology of wild gol- den hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)“ berichtet von der Wiederentdeckung des Goldhamsters in Nordsyrien. Es werden klimatische Daten, Bodenparameter und Habitatbeschreibungen für die vom Goldhamster besiedelten Gebiete angegeben. Gleichzeitig wurde die Baustruktur der Art ausführlich untersucht. Anhand der Aus- 100 wertung eigener und publizierter Funddaten wurde die erste genauere Verbreitungs- karte für die Art publiziert. Neben der Rolle von Prädatoren werden Informationen zu anthropogen bedingten Gefährdungsursachen für den Goldhamster diskutiert. Die im Jahre 2000 gefangenen Tiere bilden den Grundstock eines neuen Zuchtstammes am Institut für Zoologie der Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg für vergleichende Untersuchungen. 101 4.1.1. Notes on the current distribution and the ecology of wild golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) R. Gattermann1*, P. Fritzsche1, K. Neumann1, I. Al-Hussein1, A. Kayser1, M. Abiad2 and R. Yakti2 1Institute of Zoology, University of Halle, 06108 Halle (Saale), Domplatz 4, Germany; 2University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria Abstract Two expeditions were carried out during September 1997 and March 1999 to confirm the current existence of Mesocricetus auratus in northern Syria. Six females and seven males were caught at different sites near Aleppo. One female was pregnant and gave birth to six pups. Altogether, 30 burrows were mapped and the structures of 23 golden hamster burrows investigated. None of the inhabited burrows contained more than one adult. Burrow depths ranged from 36 to 106 cm (mean 65 cm). Their structure was simple, consisting of a single vertical entrance (gravity pipe) that pro- ceeded to a nesting chamber and at least one additional food chamber. The mean length of the entire gallery system measured 200 cm and could extend up to 900 cm. Most burrows were found on agricultural fields preferentially on leguminous cultures. The distribution of golden hamsters is discussed in association with historical data, soil types, geography, climate and human activities. All 19 golden hamsters were transferred to Germany and, together with three wild individuals supplied by the University of Aleppo, form a new breeding stock. 5 INTRODUCTION The Syrian or golden hamster Mesocricetus auratus (Waterhouse, 1839) is one of the best-established experimental animals and probably among the most popular pets in the western world. A wealth of data on the behaviour, chronobiology, immunology and physiology of the species have been obtained from laboratory-bred individu- als.The entire laboratory population of golden hamsters originated basically from a Die hier veröffentlichten Daten wurden während der von Prof. R. Gattermann organisierten Expeditio- nen gesammelt. Biologische und Verbreitungsdaten zum Goldhamster wurden von den Autoren ge- meinsam erhoben. Ich war sowohl an der Auswertung der Daten als auch an der Erstellung des Ma- nuskriptes beteiligt.5 102 single brother-sister pairing in 1930 (Aharoni, 1932) with the exception of 12 wild animals brought to the U.S.A. in 1971 (Murphy, 1985). Since then only a few golden hamsters have been caught in Syria and Turkey (Table 1). In contrast to the popular- ity of the hamster, virtually no data exist concerning its ecology, population genetics or even its recent occurrence in the wild. This is partially because of its narrowly re- stricted distribution area. Two expeditions were organised to furnish proof of the exis- tence of golden hamsters in northern Syria and if possible to acquire wild animals for behavioural and genetic studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS Joint expeditions by the universities of Halle (Germany) and Aleppo (Syria) were led to northern Syria in late summer 1997 and spring 1999. The aim of the first expedi- tion (30 August – 17 September 1997) was to explore the presumed distribution area around Aleppo and to identify suitable hamster habitats. The hamster search in- cluded the location of used burrows and an attempt to catch animals with live traps baited with apple and melon pieces. Interviews with village elders and economists were carried out. A photograph of the golden hamster was shown to them and the interviewees had to describe the typical features of a golden hamster burrow as well as morphological characteristics of the animal itself, including differences from other related species e.g. the grey hamster Cricetulus migratorius. The second expedition from 4 to 27 March 1999 was led to the most promising ham- ster sites. Twenty-three burrows were excavated, measured and if possible the ani- mals caught. Means and standard deviations of all measurements are presented. Additionally, a typical soil profile was drawn up in the region near Azaz. The charac- terization of the soil horizons followed Scheffer & Schachtschabel (1998) and Spaa- garen (1994). Two data loggers (OTLM Gemini Data Loggers (UK) Ltd.) were used to monitor the air temperature 70 cm above the ground and the soil temperature at a depth of 70 cm. Registration was carried out every 12 min. The locations of all ham- ster burrows were assessed via a GPS-location system (GPSMS1 from µ-blox Swit- zerland). 103 Table 1 List of historic and recent distribution records of golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). # refers to the map-location (see Fig. 1), (?) unconfirmed reference. # Location Date Reference Remarks 1 Aleppo (?) 1797 Russel & Russel, 1797 Earliest description of the Syrian golden hamster Aleppo (?) 1839 Waterhouse, 1839 Type specimen, probably caught by the Russel brothers Aleppo (?) 1880 Reynolds, 1954 J.H. Skene, Consul General at Aleppo brought living hamsters to Britain Aleppo June 1902 Nehring, 1902 1 preserved ♀was sent to Berlin by Zu- moffen (Beirut) Aleppo 12 April 1930 Aharoni, 1932 1♀ and 11 juveniles were excavated by I. Aharoni, 3 ♂♂ and 1♀ are the ancestors of all captive golden hamsters Aleppo (?) 1962/1972 Kumerloeve, 1975 3 hamsters were caught and sent to Tur- key (1) and to the USA (2) Aleppo Autumn 1982 Henwood, 1999 1♂ and 1♀ were caught, ♀ was brought alive to London,
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