Common mole-rat

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Common mole-rat
Cryptomys hottentotus Whatmore 2.jpg
Cryptomys hottentotus Whatmore 1.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
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, African mole-rat, or Hottentot mole-rat, (Cryptomys hottentotus) is a burrowing rodent found in Southern Africa, in particular in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It also occurs in Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It is a species in the subfamily Bathyerginae. [2]

Contents

Taxonomy

René Primevère Lesson was the first to describe the common mole-rat in 1826, based on an animal captured near Paarl, and called it Bathyergus hottentotus. The following year, the Dutch zoologist Anton Brants described a specimen from the eastern part of the Cape Colony which he named Bathyergus caecutiens. In 1828, Andrew Smith described Bathyergus ludwigii. Around 1900 these little mole rats were no longer considered to fit into the genus Bathyergus, and various forms were described in the genus Georychus, namely G. exenticus in 1899 by Édouard Louis Trouessart, G. jorisseni in 1909 by Henry Lyster Jameson, G. albus in 1913 and G. vandamii in 1917, both by Austin Roberts. The same Roberts described two more forms in 1924, but now under the current genus name Cryptomys, namely C. cradockensis and C. transvaalensis. However, the current combination was already made in 1906 by Oldfield Thomas and Harold Schwann, but with an unnecessary addition: Cryptomys hottentotus talpoides. In 1964, Gerrit de Graaff in his dissertation considers all these forms as belonging to the same species and thus all other names are synonyms of Cryptomys hottentotus. [3]

Physical appearance

Typically the body of a mature specimen of the common mole-rat may be as short as 10.5 to as long as 16.5 cm; the tail may be 1.2 to 3.8 cm. The fur is thick and evenly colored, usually grey or brown. In some specimens there is white spot on the head. The shape of the body is cylindrical with short appendages. Common mole-rats have ungrooved chisel-like incisors that are used for digging as well as for feeding and fighting. [4]

Reproduction and development

Common mole-rats form colonies, essentially family groups with the largest female and male being the only reproductive pair. Mating begins in September and October. During courtship 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, during which there may be one or two litters of up to five pups. The gestation period is about 81 days. The average age at reproductive maturity is about 450 days. Females maintain reproductive function during non-reproductive months. [2]

Ecology

Common mole-rats are fossorial and can live in a wide range of substrates. 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 geophytes. [5] 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. [4]

Physiological attributes

Common mole-rats are endothermic, having the ability to generate their own heat and keep their body temperature above ambient temperature. In arid environments they have lower individual body masses; this reduces their need for food and improves energy conservation. [6]

These mole-rats also have long sensory hairs called vibrissae that stand out from the pelage (fur covering) over their body and hind legs.

Behavior

Common mole-rats live in family units of up to 14 individuals. They are eusocial in that colony members are specialized for functions such as reproduction and for 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. [4]

Tunneling

Mole-rats have cylindrical bodies with short limbs adapted to activities inside their tunnels. Their loose skins and dense fur assist in negotiating small spaces. They can practically somersault within their loose skins. Their hairy cheeks can close behind the incisors to keep dirt and soil from the throat while they dig. In digging they loosen soil with the incisors, then use their feet to pass the loosened soil back beneath the body. When the mole-rat has accumulated a suitable batch of loose earth, it reverses to push the soil out of the tunnel.

Conservation

The IUCN Red List lists the species as Least Concern. Because of their dense and widespread population and their adaptability to pasturelands and rural gardens, their prognosis is a positive one.

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blesmol</span> Family of rodents

The blesmols, also known as mole-rats, or African mole-rats, are burrowing rodents of the family Bathyergidae. They represent a distinct evolution of a subterranean life among rodents much like the pocket gophers of North America, the tuco-tucos in South America, or the Spalacidae from Eurasia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damaraland mole-rat</span> Species of eusocial burrowing rodent from southern Africa (Fukomys damarensis)

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cape mole-rat</span> Species of rodent

The Cape mole-rat is a species of mole-rat endemic to South Africa. It is the only extant species currently described as belonging to the genus Georychus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silvery mole-rat</span> Species of rodent

The silvery mole-rat, silvery blesmol, or silky mole-rat is a species of mole-rat of East Africa which occurs in southern Kenya, Tanzania, southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique and Malawi. Solitary and aggressive, little is known about its ecology or behavior. It is monotypic in the genus Heliophobius. A common species, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated it as being of "least concern".

Amblysomus is a genus of the golden mole family, Chrysochloridae, comprising five species of the small, insect-eating, burrowing mammals endemic to Southern Africa. All five species can be found in South Africa and some are also found in Eswatini and Lesotho.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cape dune mole-rat</span> Species of rodent

The Cape dune mole-rat is a species of solitary burrowing rodent in the family Bathyergidae. It is endemic to South Africa and named for the Cape of Good Hope.

The Nigerian mole-rat is a species of rodent in the family Bathyergidae. It is found in northern Nigeria and Cameroon. A colonial, subterranean species, its natural habitats are tropical dry lowland grassland, riverside woodland and rocky places.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mechow's mole-rat</span> Species of rodent

Mechow's mole-rat is a species of rodent in the family Bathyergidae. It is found in Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, and possibly Malawi. Its natural habitats are moist savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland. This mole-rat was first described by the German naturalist Wilhelm Peters in 1881. The specific epithet honours the Prussian explorer and naturalist Friedrich Wilhelm Alexander von Mechow.

The Ghana mole-rat or Togo mole-rat is a species of rodent in the family Bathyergidae. It is endemic to Ghana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King African mole-rat</span> Species of rodent

The King African mole-rat, King mole-rat, or Alpine mole-rat, is a burrowing rodent in the genus Tachyoryctes of family Spalacidae. It only occurs high on Mount Kenya, where it is common. Originally described as a separate species related to Aberdare Mountains African mole-rat, in 1910, some classify it as the same species as the East African mole-rat,.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northeast African mole-rat</span> Species of rodent

The northeast African mole-rat is a species of rodent in the family Spalacidae and is found in Ethiopia, Somalia, and northwest Kenya. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, dry savanna, high-altitude shrubland and grassland. It lives a solitary existence underground and produces a small litter of pups twice a year, in the two rainy seasons. Some taxonomic authorities lump this species, along with a number of others in the genus, in which case the English name East African mole-rat is used.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rodent</span> Order of mammals

Rodents are mammals of the order Rodentia, which are characterized by a single pair of continuously growing incisors in each of the upper and lower jaws. About 40% of all mammal species are rodents. They are native to all major land masses except for New Zealand, Antarctica, and several oceanic islands, though they have subsequently been introduced to most of these land masses by human activity.

The Matabeleland mole-rat is a species of mole-rat found in Zimbabwe.

References

  1. ↑ Bennett, N.C.; Child, M.F. (2019). "Cryptomys hottentotus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T111932681A50535223. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T111932681A50535223.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 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. S2CID   23091402.
  3. ↑ Gerrit de Graaff (1964). "11. Cryptomys hottentotus". /2263/23608/12chapter11.pdf?sequence=13&isAllowed=y A systematic revision of the Bathyergidae (Rodentia) of Southern Africa, thesis (PDF). University of Pretoria.{{cite book}}: Check |url= value (help)
  4. 1 2 3 Bruening, S. (2001). "Cryptomys hottentotus: African mole rat" . Retrieved 2008-11-23.
  5. ↑ 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 (2): 161–168. doi:10.1017/s0952836999006032.
  6. ↑ 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. Bibcode:2000Oecol.125..341S. doi:10.1007/s004420000460. PMID   28547328. S2CID   32626882.
  1. 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
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