New insights into morphological adaptation in common mole‐rats (Cryptomys hottentotus hottentotus) along an aridity gradient [PDF]
Ecology and EvolutionMorphological adaptation is the change in the form of an organism that benefits the individual in its current habitat. Mole‐rats (family Bathyergidae), despite being subterranean, are impacted by both local and broad‐scale environmental conditions that ...
Hana N. Merchant +6 more
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Digital dissection of the masticatory muscles of the naked mole-rat, Heterocephalus glaber (Mammalia, Rodentia) [PDF]
PeerJ, 2014 The naked mole-rat, Heterocephalus glaber, of the family Bathyergidae is a subterranean rodent that feeds on underground roots and tubers and digs extensive tunnel systems with its incisors.
Philip G. Cox, Chris G. Faulkes
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The Ear in Subterranean Rodents Revisited: Cochlear Hair‐Cell Populations in African Mole‐Rats (Bathyergidae) [PDF]
Journal of Morphology, Volume 286, Issue 12, December 2025.Morphometric analysis of the cochlea was conducted on 12 species of African mole‐rats (Bathyergidae), revealing that cochlear features related to hearing resolution correlate with body size. Compared to other mammals, bathyergid cochleae resemble the apical, low‐frequency‐tuned regions of typical mammalian cochleae.
Lucie Svačinová +7 more
wiley +2 more sources
Functional and morphological divergence in the forelimb musculoskeletal system of scratch‐digging subterranean mammals (Rodentia: Bathyergidae) [PDF]
Journal of Anatomy, Volume 245, Issue 3, Page 420-450, September 2024.The muscles of scratch‐diggers (Bathyergus spp.) show a higher mechanical advantage for forelimb flexion and shoulder stabilization than tooth‐diggers. The glenohumeral and olecranon joints play fundamental roles as robust pivots to resist the action of larger muscles. Tooth‐diggers lacked some muscles aiding with elbow extension and humeral retraction,
Germán Montoya‐Sanhueza +2 more
wiley +2 more sources
Genetic signatures for enhanced olfaction in the African mole-rats. [PDF]
PLoS ONE, 2014 The Olfactory Receptor (OR) superfamily, the largest in the vertebrate genome, is responsible for vertebrate olfaction and is traditionally subdivided into 17 OR families.
Sofia Stathopoulos +2 more
doaj +5 more sources
Fossorial adaptations in African mole-rats (Bathyergidae) and the unique appendicular phenotype of naked mole-rats [PDF]
Communications Biology, 2022 Morphological and developmental analyses demonstrated that the naked mole-rats are the least anatomically specialized bathyergid for scratch-digging.
Germán Montoya-Sanhueza +5 more
doaj +2 more sources
Radiological Landmarks as an Aid in the Interpretation of Rodent Skull Extra‐Oral Projections [PDF]
Zoo Biology, Volume 44, Issue 3, Page 283-289, May/June 2025.ABSTRACT Knowledge of the radiographic anatomy of rodent skulls is essential for accurately interpreting extra‐oral radiographs, a non‐invasive diagnostic tool commonly used in veterinary practice. Due to the complexity of the skull and the potential for distortion in two‐dimensional views, a systematic evaluation of anatomical structures is necessary.
Quintin Norval +2 more
wiley +2 more sources
Social Isolation Does Not Alter Exploratory Behaviour, Spatial Learning and Memory in Captive Damaraland Mole-Rats (Fukomys damarensis) [PDF]
Animals, 2023 Exploratory behaviour, spatial learning and memory affect the survival of animals and appear to be dependent on the specific habitat that a species occupies. Good spatial navigation and memory are particularly important for subterranean animals, as it is
Arantxa Silvia Blecher +1 more
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Breeding male mole-rats (Fukomys) use strong bites to defend reproductive monopoly [PDF]
Communications BiologyBite force is a simple trait indicating an animal’s performance related to foraging, social dominance, and defence, all of which influence individual reproductive success.
Radim Šumbera +9 more
doaj +2 more sources
Validation of Enzyme Immunoassays via an Adrenocorticotrophic Stimulation Test for the Non-Invasive Quantification of Stress-Related Hormone Metabolites in Naked Mole-Rats [PDF]
Animals, 2023 Small size in mammals usually restricts long-term, frequent monitoring of endocrine function using plasma as a matrix. Thus, the non-invasive monitoring of hormone metabolite concentrations in excreta may provide an invaluable approach.
Tshepiso Lesedi Majelantle +4 more
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