Common mole rat

"African Mole Rat" redirects here. For other African species of mole rats, see Blesmol and Tachyoryctes.

Common mole rat
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Rodentia
Family:	Bathyergidae
Genus:	Cryptomys
Species:	C. hottentotus
Binomial name
Cryptomys hottentotus (Lesson, 1826)

The Common mole rat, Cryptomys hottentotus, is a burrowing rodent found in the continent of Africa, specifically in the southwest Cape province, South Africa. It is also found in Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.^[1] The common mole rat belongs to the Bathyerginae family. Bathyerginae is monophyletic, with all taxa tracing back to one common ancestor.^[2]

Physical appearance

The average body length of a common mole rat is 10.5 to 16.5 cm, the tail is 1.2 to 3.8 cm. The fur is thick with many different colors, with a distinct white spot on the head. The shape of the body is cylindrical with short appendages. Common mole rats also have chisel-like incisors that are used for digging.^[3]

Reproduction and development

Common mole rats are characterized for having one reproductive pair, consisting of the largest female and male in one group. Mating occurs between the months of September and October.^[1] During this time, the female raises her tail and allows the mate to smell her genital region. The male then gently chews on her hind region, mounts and mates. The birth of offspring is restricted to the southern hemisphere summer period. The gestation period is about 81 days with 2-5 young per litter.^[1] The average age at reproductive maturity is approximately 450 days. Females maintain reproductive function during non-reproductive months.^[2]

Ecology

Common mole rats are fossorial mammals that can live in a wide range of substrates.^[1] They are herbivorous, mainly eating geophytes (plants with underground storage organs) and grass rhizomes. Common mole rats are very widespread, thus their abundance is not well known. This species shows signs of localization due to soil requirements. The pattern of burrowing systems for common mole rats optimizes their access to food, especially gephytes.^[4] Burrowing has a negative economic impact in that it damages human property but it is also positive in that it improves soil drainage and turnover.^[3]

Physiological attributes

Common mole rats are endothermic, having the ability to generate their own heat and keep their body temperature above ambient temperature. They have lower individual body masses in arid environments that help with energy conservation.^[5] These mole rats also have long sensory hairs called Vibrissae that stand out from the pelage (fur covering) over their body.

Behavior

Common mole rats are social creatures that live in family units up to 14 individuals. They showcase eusocial behavior, which involves specialized behavior and cooperative care of the young. Younger mole rats would likely be workers and older mole rats could be casual workers. These workers, for the most part, burrow and forage, with casual workers not working as much as younger workers. The oldest mole rats are breeders.^[3]

Tunneling

Mole-rats have cylindrical bodies with short limbs to help inside of the tunnels. It has loose skin to fit in small spaces. Can practically somersault within its loose skin. Has hair behind its teeth to prevent dirt and soil from getting inside of the mouth. Loosens soil with teeth then pushes soil underneath its body with forefeet to the hind feet which kick it behind them.

Conservation

The IUCN Red List lists Cryptomys hottentotus as of Least Concern.^[1] Because of their dense and widespread population and their adaptability to pasturelands and rural gardens, their prognosis is a positive one.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Maree, S.; Faulkes, C.. "The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species". http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/5755/0/full. Retrieved 2009-08-24. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Bishop, J.M.; Jarvis, J.U.; Spinks, A.C.; Bennett, N.C.; O'Ryan, C. (2004). "Molecular insight into patterns of colony composition and paternity in the common-mole rat Cryptomys hottentotus hottentotus". Molecular Ecology 13 (5): 1217–1229. doi:10.1111/j.1365-294X.2004.02131.x. PMID 15078457. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} Bruening, S. (2001). "Cryptomys hottentotus: African mole rat". http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Cryptomys_hottentotus.html. Retrieved 2008-11-23. 
4. ^ Spinks, A.C.; Bennett, N.C.; Jarvis, J.U.M. (1998). "Regulation of Reproduction in female Common-mole rats (Cryptomys hottentotus hottentotus): The effects of breeding season and reproductive status". Journal of Zoology 268: 161–168. 
5. ^ Spinks, A.C.; Bennett, N.C.; Jarvis, J.U.M. (2000). "A comparison of the ecology of two populations of the common mole-rat, Cryptomys hottentotus hottentotus: The effect of aridity on food, foraging and body mass". Oecologia 125 (3): 341–349. doi:10.1007/s004420000460. 

6. Woods, C.A.; Kilpatrick, C.W. (2005). "Cryptomys hottentotus". In D.E. Wilson & D.M. Reeder (Eds.), Mammal species of the world: A taxonomic and geographic reference (3rd Ed.), pp 1538–1600. Smithsonian Institution Press: Washington, D.C. The encyclopedia of mammals Page 690-693