The Northern Mole Vole: Is It a Hibernator? |
| |
Authors: | Evdokimov N G |
| |
Institution: | (1) Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology, Ural Division, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Vos'mogo Marta 202, Yekaterinburg, 620144, Russia |
| |
Abstract: | Based on the results of long-term field studies (1980–1997) and published data on the ecology of the northern mole vole (Ellobius talpinusPall.), it is assumed that these animals living in the Southern Urals and the Transural region do hibernate. The factors that cause their hibernation (freezing of the ground, the resultant unavailability of food, and hypoxia), some indirect evidence for hibernation (the cessation of tooth root growth from autumn to spring and a long life span), and characteristic signs of the preparation for hibernation (a decrease in body weight and an increase in liver weight) are considered. A hypothetical scheme of the active and dormant periods is proposed. |
| |
Keywords: | northern mole vole ground freezing feeding burrows hypoxia hibernation tooth roots age structure life span body weight liver weight |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|