Comparative renal morphology of some southern African otomyine rodents

摘要: The kidney structure of 21 individual otomyine rodents representing six southern African taxa from localities with differing climatic profiles was studied by means light microscopy. Variation in the data accounted for primarily relative cortex and medulla proportions. kidneys Otomys angoniensis Wroughton, 1906, O. irroratus (Brants, 1827) sloggetti robertsi Hewitt, 1927 displayed mesic adaptation, those unisulcatus F. Cuvier, 1829, Parotomys brantsii (A. Smith, 1834) P. littledalei Thomas, 1918 xeric reflecting species-specific patterns geographic distribution across rainfall gradients. Neither nor renal characters appear optimally expressed species considered, it is postulated that feeding habits behavioural adaptations play a significant role water economy rodents.