Patterns of Body Temperature, Activity, and Reproductive Behavior in a Tropical Murid Rodent, Arvicanthis niloticus

摘要: Abstract M c Elhinny, T. L., L. Smale and K. E. Holekamp. Patterns of body temperature, activity, reproductive behavior in a tropical murid rodent, Arvicanthis niloticus. Physiol Behav 62(1) 91–96, 1997.—Nile grass rats ( niloticus ), are rodents from Africa that exhibit diurnal patterns wheel-running. In the present paper we describe temporal organization several other behaviors these animals, as well daily rhythms their temperature. first experiment, characterized gross motor activity core temperature four adult females implanted with telemetry transmitters kept on 12:12 light:dark (LD) cycle. all animals were clearly diurnal, peaks often occurring around dawn dusk. second experiment recorded times mating parturition eight couples housed LD We monitored 24 h day using time-lapse video recording system, beginning when males paired, ending after birth litter associated post-partum copulation. Mating almost always began just before lights came on, generally occurred an “anticrepuscular” pattern, outside periods Thus, interesting mosaic adaptations, some crepuscular tendencies expressed within predominantly pattern.