Y Chromosome Evolution in the Subgenus Mus (Genus Mus)

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Y Chromosome Evolution in the Subgenus Mus (Genus Mus) Copyright 0 1989 by the Genetics Society of America Y Chromosome Evolution in the Subgenus Mus (Genus Mus) Priscilla K. Tucker,' Barbara K. Lee and Eva M. Eicher The JacksonLaboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine04609 Manuscript received November 30, 1987 Accepted for publication January 20, 1989 ABSTRACT A 305 base pair DNA sequence isolated from the Y chromosome of the inbred mouse strain C57BL/10 was used to investigate the pattern and tempo of evolution of Y chromosome DNA sequences for five species in the subgenus Mus, including Mus spretus, Mus hortulanus, Mus abbotti, Mus musculus and Mus domesticus. Variation in hybridization patternsbetween species was character- ized by differences in fragment lengths of both intensely and faintly hybridizing fragments, whereas variation in hybridizationpatterns within species was characterizedprimarily by differences in fragment lengths of faintly hybridizing fragments. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted based on fragment size variation within and among species. Phylogenetic relationships inferred from these analyses partly agreewith the phylogenetic relationships obtained from biochemical and mitochondrial DNA data. We conclude that a set of DNA sequences common to the Y chromosomes of a closely related group of species in the subgenus Mus has evolved rapidly as reflected by sequence divergence and sequence amplification. N the classical model of sex chromosome evolution, DNA sequences, AC11 (NISHIOKAand LAMOTHE I heteromorphic sex chromosomes are hypothesized 1986) and YBlO (EICHERet al. 1989), isolated from to have evolved from a pair of homologous chromo- the Y chromosomes from two inbred mouse strains somes by the suppression of crossing over between the hybridize to genomic DNA from males ofsome species sex chromosome precursors and the subsequent loss in the subgenus Mus and distinct hybridization pat- of gene function onthe sex chromosome that becomes terns characterized by differences in fragment length the Y chromosome (MULLER 1914). OHNO(1967) and hybridization intensity were observed for each recalled this hypothesis to explain vertebrate sex chro- species. These data suggest that Y chromosome-spe- mosome evolution including the evolution of the cific DNA sequences rapidly evolve in closely related mammalian X and Y chromosomes. The X and Y species. chromosomes of mammals exhibit extreme hetero- In this report we present additional evidence for morphism and, with rare exception,recombination the rapid evolution of DNA sequences found exclu- between them is limited to a small region (SOLARI sively on the mouse Y chromosome from an investi- 1974). Thus, the majority of the Y chromosome is gation of the tempo and mode of Y chromosomal monosomic and inherited from father to son. sequence change at both the species and population Recent molecular investigations of the human levels. We alsoinvestigated how a paternally inherited (GOODFELLOW,DARLING andWOLFE 1985) andmouse character contributes to an understandingof the phy- Y chromosomes (SINGH,PURWM and JONES 1981; logenetic relationships within the genus Mus. We used JONES and SINGH198 1;PHILLIPS et al. 1982; EICHER, pYB 10 (EICHERet al. 1989) as a probein combination PHILLIPSand WASHBURN 1983; LAMARand PALMER with eight restriction enzymes to identify species-spe- 1984; BISHOPet al. 1985; NISHIOKAand LAMOTHE cific patterns of hybridization from a large sample of 1986; NALLASETHand DEWEY 1986) identifiedDNA mice in the subgenus Mus, including Mus spretus, Mus sequences specific to or enriched on the Y chromo- hortulanus (= M. spicilegus, BONHOMME1986), Mus some. Additionally, using Y-specific or Y-enriched re- abbotti (= M. spretoides or M. macedonicus, BONHOMME peated DNA sequences as probes, restriction fragment 1986), Mus musculus and Mus domesticus. Throughout length polymorphisms have been identified among Y this study we recognize M. musculus and M. domesticus chromosomes of human populations (CASANOVAet al. as distinct species rather than subspecies or semispe- 1985) as well as among Y chromosomes of laboratory cies based on data from the hybrid zoneinvestigations inbred mouse strains and wild mice (LAMAR andPAL- of these two taxa (HUNT andSELANDER 1973; SAGE, MER 1984; BISHOPet d. 1985; NISHIOKAand LA- WHITNEYand WILSON1986; SAGEet al. 1986). MOTHE 1986; EICHER et al. 1989). For example, two MATERIALSAND METHODS ' Currentaddress: Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, Ann Mice: Wild mice used in this study came from either Arbor, Michigan 48 109. established laboratory colonies or from field trapping. Spe- Genetics 122: 169-179 (May, 1989) 170 P. K. Tucker, B. K. L.ee and E. M. Eicher cies, number of individuals sampled, original collecting lo- minimum of two laboratory raised mice from each taxa were calities and source of taxa used in our study are listed in analyzed. Table 1. DNA preparation: High molecularweight mouse ge- nomicDNA was prepared from either frozen tissue or RESULTS frozen nuclear pellets. DNA from liver, kidney, spleen, and testis was prepared following the method of JENKINS et al. Species-specific patterns of hybridization were ob- (1982). Frozen nuclear pellets were incubated at 65" over- served when Southern blots containing male genomic night in 10 ml of extraction buffer (50 mM Tris, pH 8.0, DNAs from M. abbotti, M. hortulanus, M. spretus, M. 100 mM EDTA, 100 mM NaCI, 1% SDS) and 0.5 mlof musculus, and M. domesticus (Table 1) were probed proteinase K (10 mg/ml) in 10 mM Tris, pH 7.5, prior to extraction with phenol following the method of JENKINSet with pYB10. A total of 180 different restriction frag- al. (1982). ments were identified by single digests of male ge- Restriction endonuclease digestions and Southern blot nomic DNA using eight different restriction enzymes, preparation: Restriction enzyme digests of genomic DNAs representing four (HaeIII, TaqI), five (Hinfl)and six were performed following the procedures of the supplier (BglII, EcoRI, HindIII, PvuII, PstI) base cutters. No BRL (Bethesda Research Laboratories, Inc.). Ten micro- grams of genomic DNA were digested for 4 hr and separated hybridization was observed when Southern blots con- by size in 1% agarose at 30 V for up to 20 hr. DNA was tainingfemale genomic DNAs from M. abbotti, M. transferred to Zeta-Probe nylon membranes (Bio-Rad) in hortulanus, M. spretus, M. musculus and M. domesticus 0.4 M NaOH overnight without pretreatment (REED and (Table 1) were probed with pYBlO (data not shown). MANN1985). This verifies the observation by EICHERet al. (1989) DNA labeling The probe pYB10, derived from the Y chromosome of C57BL10 (EICHERet al. 1989), was labeled that YBlO sequences are found exclusively on the Y with [a-"PI-dCTP (Amersham) following MANIATIS, chromosome in these five species. The hybridization FRITSCHand SAMBROOK(1982) using the T4polymerase kit patterns observed with PstI (Figure 1) typify all single supplied by BRL. The specific activity of labeled DNA for digestsusing theeight restriction enzymes listed all experiments was greater than 0.5 X lo9 cpm/pg. above.Three basic trendsemerged. First, there is Hybridization conditions and autoradiography: Nylon membranes were prewashed at 65" for 1 hr in 0.1 % SSC overall less hybridization toDNA from M. spretus and and 0.5% SDS and prehybridized at 65" for 4 hr in 100 ml M. hortulanus than toM. abbotti, M. domesticus and M. of 4 X SSCP [ 1 X SSCP = 121 mM NaCI, 15 mM Nan citrate, musculus. Second, forsix enzymes, HaeIII, TagI,BglII, 15 mM Na2HP04, 5 mM NaH2P04],10 X Denhardt's solu- HindIII, PvuII and PstI, at least one restriction frag- tion and 1% SDS. Membranes were hybridizedovernight at ment is shared amongall five species and these shared 65" in 20ml of 4 X SSCP, 2 X Denhardt's solution, 1% SDS, 0.2 pg/ml denatured sonicated salmon sperm DNA, fragments typically vary in intensity of hybridization and approximately 1.0 X lo6 cpm/ml denatured radioac- among species. Third,between speciesvariation is tively labeled probe. Following hybridization, the nylon characterized primarily by the presence and absence membranes were rinsed twicein 2 X SSC/O. 1% SDS at room of both intensely and faintly hybridizing restriction temperature for 15 min and three times in 0.1 X SSC/O. I % fragments, whereas within species variationis charac- SDS at 65" for 30 min. The stringency conditions at 65", terized primarily, but notexclusively, the presence 0.1 X SSC, and a 39% G-C content (determined from DNA by sequence analysis of YB10,EMBL accession number and absence of faintlyhybridizing restriction frag- X 12900) were calculated to be approximately 98% (SHAW ments.Intensely hybridizing fragments, including et al. 1984). The membranes were exposed to Kodak XAR- shared fragments that vary ia hybridization intensity 5 film by varying lengths of time at room temperature or at between species, are tabulated for each enzyme and -70" with Dupont Cronex Lightening Plusintensifying screens. each species in Table 2. Analysis of autoradiographs: The approximate size of We conducted a phylogenetic analysis (PAUP, ver- each restriction fragment was ascertained using a custom- sion 2.4, SWOFFORD,1985) of these five Mus species ized computer program written for the Apple Ile and a using the 180 restriction fragments as characters.TWO HIPAD digitizer (Houston Instrument). Phylogenetic anal- minimum length trees were produced from 170 apo- yses using parsimony (PAUP, version 2.4, SWOFFORD1985) were conducted for two sets of taxa using restriction frag- morphic (derived) characters (Figure2). This analysis ments lengths as characters. Fragments of equal molecular substantiates the observed species-specific patterns of weight generated by each restriction enzyme were assumed hybridization because each species branch, including identical between taxa. Each individual taxon was scored M. spretus, M. hortulanus, M. abbotti, M. musculus and for the presence or absence of all restriction fragments M. domesticus, is clearly defined by a series of restric- identified in a given setof taxa. For all phylogenetic analyses, variation in copy number atnong shared restriction frag- tionfragments including the majority of intensely ments was not scored as separate characters and thus the hybridizingfragments.
Recommended publications
  • TAXONOMIC STUDIES from RODENT OUTBREAK AREAS in the CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS Nikhil
    Bangladesh J. Zool. 46(2): 217-230, 2018 ISSN: 0304-9027 (print) 2408-8455 (online) NEW RECORDS OF RODENT SPECIES IN BANGLADESH: TAXONOMIC STUDIES FROM RODENT OUTBREAK AREAS IN THE CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS Nikhil Chakma*, Noor Jahan Sarker, Steven Belmain1, Sohrab Uddin Sarker, Ken Aplin2 and Sontosh Kumar Sarker3 Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh Abstract: Rodents are regarded as crop pests, significant reservoirs and vectors for many zoonotic diseases around the world. Basic taxonomic information of rodents present in a locality can help understand which species are responsible as crop pest in that habitat. The phenomenon of the 50-year cycle of gregarious bamboo flowering and rodent outbreaks in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh, rodents trapping were carried out in four habitats from March, 2009 to December, 2011 in Ruma upazila of Bandarban hill district. Variety of traps were used to capture small mammals. The captured species were measured and identified using taxonomical dichotomous keys and DNA bar-coding performed in Australia. A total of 14 different small mammalian species were captured of which nine belonging to the Muridae family, and one species each of Spalacidae, Sciuridae, Tupaiidae and Soricidae families. The dominant small mammal species captured were Rattus rattus (54.06%) followed by Mus musculus (26.39%), Rattus nitidus (10.98%), Suncus murinus (5.45%), Mus terricolor (1.09%), Mus cookii nagarum (0.97%), Cannomys badius (0.16%), Leopoldamys edwardsi (0.12%), Berylmys bowersi (0.12%), Vernaya fulva (0.08%), Rattus andamanensis (0.08%), Tupaia glis (0.04%) and Callosciurus pygerythrus (0.04%).
    [Show full text]
  • Micromys Minutus)
    Acta Theriol (2013) 58:101–104 DOI 10.1007/s13364-012-0102-0 SHORT COMMUNICATION The origin of Swedish and Norwegian populations of the Eurasian harvest mouse (Micromys minutus) Lars Råberg & Jon Loman & Olof Hellgren & Jeroen van der Kooij & Kjell Isaksen & Roar Solheim Received: 7 May 2012 /Accepted: 17 September 2012 /Published online: 29 September 2012 # Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Białowieża, Poland 2012 Abstract The harvest mouse (Micromys minutus) occurs the Mediterranean, from France to Russia and northwards throughout most of continental Europe. There are also two to central Finland (Mitchell-Jones et al. 1999). Recently, isolated and recently discovered populations on the it has also been found to occur in Sweden and Norway. Scandinavian peninsula, in Sweden and Norway. Here, we In 1985, an isolated population was discovered in the investigate the origin of these populations through analyses province of Dalsland in western Sweden (Loman 1986), of mitochondrial DNA. We found that the two populations and during the last decade, this population has been on the Scandinavian peninsula have different mtDNA found to extend into the surrounding provinces as well haplotypes. A comparison of our haplotypes to published as into Norway. The known distribution in Norway is sequences from most of Europe showed that all Swedish and limited to a relatively small area close to the Swedish Norwegian haplotypes are most closely related to the border, in Eidskog, Hedmark (van der Kooij et al. 2001; haplotypes in harvest mice from Denmark. Hence, the two van der Kooij et al., unpublished data). In 2007, another populations seem to represent independent colonisations but population was discovered in the province of Skåne in originate from the same geographical area.
    [Show full text]
  • Blood Parasites of Mound-Building Mouse, Mus Spicilegus Petényi, 1882 (Mammalia, Rodentia)
    Wiadomoœci Parazytologiczne 2010, 56(1), 63–65 Copyright© 2010 Polskie Towarzystwo Parazytologiczne Blood parasites of mound-building mouse, Mus spicilegus Petényi, 1882 (Mammalia, Rodentia) Grzegorz Karbowiak 1, Jana Fričova 2, Michal Stanko 2,3 , Joanna Hapunik 1, Denisa Varfalvyova 2 1W. Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda Street, 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw, Poland 2Institute of Zoology of Slovak Academy of Sciences, Löfflerova Street, 10, 040 01, Košice, Slovakia 3Matej Bel University, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Tajovského 40, 97401 Banská Bystrica, Slovakia Corresponding author: Grzegorz Karbowiak; E-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT. Mound-building mice, Mus spicilegus , were studied for the blood parasites in Eastern Slovakia, vicinity Kechnec village near Košice town (Košická kotlina basin, 21°14’ E, 48°33’ N) during years 2002–2005. Overall, 251 specimens were examined. The parasites were detected using microhematokrit centrifugation technique and on the Giemsa’s method stained blood smears and light microscopy. The parasites were found in 3.57% of specimens; 1.20% of mice were infected with Bartonella sp., 2.39% were infected with Babesia piroplasms. No Hepatozoon hemogregarines and trypanosomes were observed. The intensity of infection with Bartonella was low, less than 0.01% of erythrocytes were invaded, the percent of the erythrocytes with Babesia sp. was less than 0.01%. The morphological description and measurements of parasites were made using the „Analysis” software combined with a video camera and a microscope. The mean size of Bartonella sp. bacteria’s were 0.8×0.3 mm, range 0.4–1.5×0.1–0.9 mm, Babesia sp.
    [Show full text]
  • Rodents Prevention and Control
    RODENTS PREVENTION AND CONTROL Santa Cruz County Mosquito & Vector Control 640 Capitola Road • Santa Cruz, CA 95062 (831) 454-2590 www.agdept.com/mvc.html [email protected] Protecting Public Health Since 1994 RODENT SERVICES Residents, property managers, and businesses in Santa Cruz County can request a site visit to assist them with rodent issues to protect public health. Our services include an exterior inspection of your home in which a certified technician looks for rodent entry points and gives advice on preventing rodents from getting into your home. Employees do not bait or trap, but provide guidance and recommendations such as blocking openings and reducing food sources and hiding places. GENERAL INFORMATION Control strategies may vary depending on pest species. ROOF RAT Rattus rattus (also known as black rat, fruit rat or ship rat) Tail Longer than head and body combined Body Slender, belly can be white, light gray, or light tan Ear Large Eye Large Nose Pointed Habits Climb Feces Smaller, pointy ends (actual size) Roof Rat (Rattus rattus)** NORWAY RAT Rattus novegicus (also known as wharf rat,brown rat, sewer rat, common rat) Tail Shorter than head and body combined (If you fold tail back, it cannot reach its head) Body Heavy, thick Ear Small Eye Small Nose Blunt Habits Burrow, can enter through a hole the size of a quarter, likes water Feces Rounder, blunt ends (actual size) Norway Rat (Rattus novegicus)** 2 HOUSE MOUSE Mus musculus Feet Small Head Small Habits Common in homes and buildings, can enter through a hole as small
    [Show full text]
  • A Phylogeographic Survey of the Pygmy Mouse Mus Minutoides in South Africa: Taxonomic and Karyotypic Inference from Cytochrome B Sequences of Museum Specimens
    A Phylogeographic Survey of the Pygmy Mouse Mus minutoides in South Africa: Taxonomic and Karyotypic Inference from Cytochrome b Sequences of Museum Specimens Pascale Chevret1*, Terence J. Robinson2, Julie Perez3, Fre´de´ric Veyrunes3, Janice Britton-Davidian3 1 Laboratoire de Biome´trie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR CNRS 5558, Universite´ Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France, 2 Evolutionary Genomics Group, Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 3 Institut des Sciences de l’Evolution de Montpellier, UMR CNRS 5554, Universite´ Montpellier 2, Montpellier, France Abstract The African pygmy mice (Mus, subgenus Nannomys) are a group of small-sized rodents that occur widely throughout sub- Saharan Africa. Chromosomal diversity within this group is extensive and numerous studies have shown the karyotype to be a useful taxonomic marker. This is pertinent to Mus minutoides populations in South Africa where two different cytotypes (2n = 34, 2n = 18) and a modification of the sex determination system (due to the presence of a Y chromosome in some females) have been recorded. This chromosomal diversity is mirrored by mitochondrial DNA sequences that unambiguously discriminate among the various pygmy mouse species and, importantly, the different M. minutoides cytotypes. However, the geographic delimitation and taxonomy of pygmy mice populations in South Africa is poorly understood. To address this, tissue samples of M. minutoides were taken and analysed from specimens housed in six South African museum collections. Partial cytochrome b sequences (400 pb) were successfully amplified from 44% of the 154 samples processed. Two species were identified: M. indutus and M. minutoides. The sequences of the M. indutus samples provided two unexpected features: i) nuclear copies of the cytochrome b gene were detected in many specimens, and ii) the range of this species was found to extend considerably further south than is presently understood.
    [Show full text]
  • An Experimental Study with Micromys Minutus
    Bachelor’s degree in Biology Final dissertation project Análise da dieta de pequenos mamíferos: un traballo experimental con Micromys minutus Análisis de dieta de pequeños mamíferos: un trabajo experimental con Micromys minutus Diet analysis of small mammals: an experimental study with Micromys minutus Anxo Pensado Moreira July, 2018 Academic supervisor: Sergio Rodríguez Roiloa ABSTRACT The ongoing growth of the human population and human activities have caused a rapid loss of biodiversity. Species play an important role in the ecosystem functioning. Thus, in order to conserve them, detailed insight into their biology is crucial. The Harvest mouse (Micromys minutus) is an understudied species whose populations across the UK have undergone an apparent decline of the 71 % over the past 18 years. Furthermore, there seems to be little information available on the diet of this species, which can be essential to improve welfare guides for captive populations as well as for future conservation actions for wild populations. Thereby, the aim of the present study was to shed some light on the diet of a captive population of Micromys minutus at the Wildwood Trust by assessing their (1) dietary preferences, (2) potential sex differences, (3) feeding time patterns and (4) intake rates. In order to do so, 5 individuals of Harvest mice were presented with different feeds and as a result their consumptions over a period of 14 days were obtained. Posteriorly, data was analysed by means of variance analysis (ANOVA) performed with SPSS, showing significant differences in the food intake of Micromys minutus depending upon food type and feeding time effects. The study revealed that the mice preferred blackberries, canary seeds, dried meal worms, naked oats and safflowers over white and red millet, although males had a higher consumption of dried meal worms and naked oats, whilst females preferred safflowers.
    [Show full text]
  • Increased Geographic Sampling Reveals Considerable New Genetic
    Mammalian Biology 79 (2014) 24–35 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Mammalian Biology jou rnal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/mambio Original Investigation Increased geographic sampling reveals considerable new genetic diversity in the morphologically conservative African Pygmy Mice (Genus Mus; Subgenus Nannomys) a,∗ a d a,b,c Jennifer Lamb , Sarah Downs , Seth Eiseb , Peter John Taylor a School of Life Sciences, New Biology Building, University of KwaZulu-Natal, University Road, Westville, KwaZulu-Natal 3630, South Africa b Department of Ecology and Resource Management, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Venda, Post Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa c Core Team Member, Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Post Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa d University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia a r a t i b s c l e i n f o t r a c t Article history: African endemic pygmy mice (Genus Mus; sub-genus Nannomys) have considerable economic and public Received 7 March 2013 health significance, and some species exhibit novel sex determination systems, making accurate knowl- Accepted 19 August 2013 edge of their phylogenetics and distribution limits important. This phylogenetic study was based on the by Frank E. Zachos mitochondrial control region and cytochrome b gene, for which a substantial body of published data was Available online 13 September 2013 available. Study specimens were sourced from eight previously unsampled or poorly sampled countries, and include samples morphologically identified as Mus bufo, M. indutus, M. callewaerti, M. triton and M. Keywords: neavei. These analyses increase the known genetic diversity of Nannomys from 65 to 102 haplotypes; at Nannomys least 5 unassigned haplotypes are distinguished by potentially species-level cytochrome b genetic dis- Mus bufo tances.
    [Show full text]
  • House Mouse Mus Domesticus
    House Mouse DIAGNOSTIC MORPHOLOGY Mus domesticus (Rutty) Adults: • Length of 5 to 8 inches (127 - 206 mm) • Ears are moderately large and distinct • Color: Light brown to black with some having lighter belly fur • Tail is as long as the head and body combined GENERAL INFORMATION The house mouse is believed to have originated in Central Asia. The above Latin name Mus domesticus as well as the Latin name Mus Immature Stage: musculus (Linneaus) are used in the nomenclature for the present-day house mouse depending on • Newborn mice (pups) are blind and pink and hairless. They weigh specific geographic areas. The Latin word for only about 0.03 ounces (0.8 grams). mouse is mus, which is derived from the ancient Sanskrit language meaning "to steal". The word musculus simply means "little thief". Thus the relationship between mankind and the mouse started long ago as they have traveled with us as FOOD SOURCES penetrating the outside of the building. Increasing stowaways through early trade routes and have the structural integrity of your museum or storage continued to use mankind and his food supplies to Mice are considered omnivorous and opportunistic will prevent wild mice from entering and doing extend their range to most parts of the world today. foragers. This means that they eat a wide variety of damage. A house mouse will be able to come food items such as seeds, grains, meats, fish, fruits, through any opening that it can get it's head SIGNS OF INFESTATION insects, etc. through. The height of the skull is 0.25 inches (6 mm).
    [Show full text]
  • Infestations of Flea Species on Small, Wild Mammals in the Provinces of Aydın and Manisa in the Aegean Region, Turkey*
    Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Turk J Vet Anim Sci (2017) 41: 449-452 http://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/veterinary/ © TÜBİTAK Short Communication doi:10.3906/vet-1610-68 Infestations of flea species on small, wild mammals in the provinces of Aydın and Manisa in the Aegean Region, Turkey* 1, 2 1 1 1 Mustafa AÇICI **, Sadık DEMİRTAŞ , Şinasi UMUR , Ali Tümay GÜRLER , Cenk Soner BÖLÜKBAŞ 1 Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey 2 Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Science, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey Received: 25.10.2016 Accepted/Published Online: 09.03.2017 Final Version: 12.06.2017 Abstract: This study was carried out to determine flea species infesting small, wild rodents and insectivorous wild mammals of the Aegean Region in Turkey. A total of 52 small, wild mammals, comprising one insectivorous and four rodent species, namely Crocidura suaveolens, Mus macedonicus, Apodemus flavicollis, Microtus levis, and Apodemus witherbyi, were captured. Fleas were collected, preserved in 70% alcohol, and labelled for identification in the field. In the laboratory, they were cleared in 10% KOH and mounted with Hoyer’s medium. The fleas were identified as Stenoponia tripectinata (Tiraboschi, 1902) from Mus macedonicus (12.8%) and Nosopsyllus fasciatus (Bosc, 1800) from M. macedonicus (2.5%) and also from M. levis (100%). One out of the 5 C. suaveolens was infested by S. tripectinata. Two species of fleas were found on 8 of the 47 rodents and one of the 5 insectivorous mammals was infested by S. tripectinata. The flea species and their hosts should be further investigated for zoonotic pathogens.
    [Show full text]
  • A Behavioural Syndrome, but Less Evidence for a Relationship with Cognitive Traits in a Spatial Orientation Context Andrea C
    Schuster et al. Frontiers in Zoology (2017) 14:19 DOI 10.1186/s12983-017-0204-2 RESEARCH Open Access A behavioural syndrome, but less evidence for a relationship with cognitive traits in a spatial orientation context Andrea C. Schuster*, Uwe Zimmermann, Carina Hauer and Katharina Foerster Abstract Background: Animals show consistent individual behavioural differences in many species. Further, behavioural traits (personality traits) form behavioural syndromes, characterised by correlations between different behaviours. Mechanisms maintaining these correlations could be constrained due to underlying relationships with cognitive traits. There is growing evidence for the non-independence of animal personality and general cognitive abilities in animals, but so far, studies on the direction of the relationship between them revealed contradictory results. Still, it is hypothesised that individuals may exhibit consistent learning and decision styles. Fast behavioural types (consistently bolder and more active individuals) are expected to show faster learning styles. Slow behavioural types in contrast are assumed to learn slower but more accurately. This can be caused by a speed-accuracy trade-off that individuals face during decision making. We measured the repeatability of three personality and four spatial cognitive traits in adult Eurasian harvest mice (Micromys minutus). We analysed correlations among personality traits (behavioural syndrome). We further investigated the relationships between personality and spatial cognitive traits as a first step exploring the potential connection between personality and cognition in this species. Results: Our results showed that exploration, activity and boldness were repeatable in adult mice. Spatial recognition measured in a Y Maze was also significantly repeatable, as well as spatial learning performance and decision speed.
    [Show full text]
  • The House Mouse ( Mus Musculus ) Introduction
    Website information – Sarah Nicholson The House Mouse ( Mus musculus ) Introduction The house mouse ( Mus musculus ) is a native rodent species in Great Britain. It is regarded as a common species, and is listed as being of ‘least concern’ by the IUCN Red List. Some individuals have been domesticated as pets, while others are used as laboratory mice which are advancing science throughout the world. This page has been set up to raise awareness and to increase our understanding of the distribution of the house mouse in Cumbria. We would like you to get involved in recording house mice in your neighbourhood! Ecology The house mouse is nocturnal, and frequently lives in a construction of underground tunnels, or within human houses, garages, barns, or sheds. They rarely inhabit woodland due to competition with other small mammals (PTES). It is their association with humans that has allowed them to spread throughout the world, occupying a range of our domestic buildings, and feasting upon our food supplies. House mice can have a varied diet, but frequently consume grain, fruit, and occasionally invertebrates. They will generally eat any form of human food where it is available. If food is scarce, mice can search an area as large as 200m 2, but when food it relatively common their range can be as small as 5m 2 (PTES). They can be commonly seen throughout the year especially in breeding seasons when numbers are high or during hibernation periods where they are more likely to enter our buildings and associated structures. Males are territorial with one or two dominating in highly abundant areas.
    [Show full text]
  • Key to Rodent Skulls MEDIUM-SIZED RATS Cotton Rat (Sigmodon Hispidus) 1
    Key to Rodent Skulls MEDIUM-SIZED RATS Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus) 1. All teeth large compared to other rodents of similar size. 2. Tooth bed is oval shaped, not teardrop shaped. 3. Front molars emerge straight from tooth bed, not at an angle. 4. Molar groove shaped like: Σ 5. Upper rim of eye socket is rounded, does not have a pointed edge. 6. 2 holes between the rear molars on the inside roof of the mouth (palate). 7. Palate ends at end of molars. 8. Prominent ridges extending from eye sockets towards rear of skull. 9. Bottom-front of eye socket has an extension. 3 9 1 2 5 4 6 7 8 Marsh Rice Rat (Orysomys palustris) 1. Teeth small compared to other rodents of similar size. 2. Front molars emerge straight from tooth bed, not at an angle. 3. Large rice rat may be confused with small Rattus, key is to look at front molars 4. Ridges extending from eye sockets towards rear of skull not well developed. 5. Upper rim of eye socket is rounded, does not have a pointed edge. 6. Rear of outer eye socket slopes smoothly into skull. 2, 3 1 5 4 6 LARGE-SIZED RATS Roof Rat (Rattus rattus) • Skull longer and pointer than cotton rat or rice rat. • Skull generally longer than 25 mm. 3. Front molars (and their tooth beds) strongly angled up towards front of skull. 4. Front molars large. 5. Tooth bed teardrop shaped, pointed towards rear. 6. Upper rim of eye sockets have a slight point into the sockets.
    [Show full text]