The gut morphology of the African ice rat, Otomys sloggetti robertsi, shows adaptations to cold environments and sex-specific seasonal variation.

摘要: We studied the gut morphology of ice rat Otomys sloggetti robertsi, a non-hibernating murid rodent endemic to sub-alpine and alpine regions southern African Drakensberg Maluti mountains. The structure O. s. robertsi is well adapted for high fibre, herbivorous diet, as case with other members its subfamily Otomyinae. Despite broad similarity in gross mesic- arid-occurring otomyines, has larger small intestine, caecum, stomach volume parts colon, which we suggest are adaptations increased energy uptake and/or poor diet quality environments. However, smaller intestine than perhaps because it occupies mesic habitat. Seasonal sexual differences occurred, females increasing dimensions stomach, length, large summer. Sexual asymmetry may be related requirements during pregnancy lactation, indicating phenotypic plasticity response vegetation shorter growing season habitats.