Cane Mice Flashcards
What cane mouse is typically studied in research?
Zygodontomys brevicauda
Describe cane mice.
Grizzled brown pelage with tail about 3/4th the length of its head and body.
Where are cane mice found?
Tropical lowlands of eastern Central America, northern South America, and adjacent continental islands.
What habitats do cane mice live in?
Savannas or weedy areas around human settlements where the species can be an agricultural pest.
Describe the behavior of cane mice.
Nocturnal, omnivorous, and terrestrial. Seldom or never climb trees.
What are cane mice used for in research? Why?
Comparative studies of mammalian circannual repro cycles, as this is one of the few tropical species known to lack a repro response to photoperiod.
Evolutionary quantitative genetics, as it has a short generation time, high diploid chromosome numbers, and the availability of hybrid crosses from geographically isolated populations.
Zygodontomys brevicauda is a natural host for what virus? What clinical signs does it cause in humans?
Guanarito virus, the cause of Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever. Animals develop chronic viremic infections with persistent shedding of virus in oropharyngeal secretions and urine. Causes fever, malaise, and a sore throat followed by abdominal pain, diarrhea, and hemorrhagic manifestations with convulsions.
How does cane mouse reproduction compare to other New World muroids?
Sexual maturation is rapid and litter sizes are moderately large.
When do cane mice become sexually mature?
Females: 21-26 days
Males: 40-60 days
How long is gestation in cane mice? How many pups are typically born?
25 day gestation with an average of 4-5 pups, but ranges from 1-11.
Describe development of cane mice young.
Open eyes by 6-8 days and weaned by 16 days.
Describe ovulation in cane mice.
Spontaneous. Presence of male does not accelerate estrus or ovulation nor alter estrous cycling.
Why can cane mice cages be changed less frequently than other cages?
They urinate and defecate sparingly compared with lab mice.
What precaution needs to be taken at cage change?
Cane mice are strong, agile, and jump with slight provocation. Cages should be placed at the bottom of a deep (at least 2.5 foot) box before removing the wire lid to prevent escape.
Are Zygodontmys aggressive to human handlers? Are they aggressive to conspecifics?
Variable - some say yes with handling with leather gloves.
Females are aggressive shortly before parturition and males are removed to prevent injuries. Males rarely injure females, and pairing younger females with older males reduced aggression.
What is the only ectoparasite that appears to persist in lab-bred, wild-derived cane mice?
Ornithonyssus bacoti, the tropical rat mite.
