Other Rodents Flashcards
Genus, species
Common name
Model for:
Notable feature
Spermophilis beecheyi
California ground squirrel
Hibernation
Resistant to rattlesnake venom - serum metalloprotease inhibitor
Genus, species
Common name
Model for:
Ictodomys tridecemlinealis
thirteen-lined ground squirrel
Hibernation, virally induced hepatocellular carcinoma
Genus, species
Common name
Model for:
Spermophilis tridecemlineatus
13-lined ground squirrel
hibernation; viral hepatocellular carcinoma
Genus, species
Common name
Model for:
Notable feature
Urocitellus richardsonii
Richardson’s ground squirrel
cholesterol gallstone formation via high cholesterol diet
males maintain mounded burrows with 3-5 females; aggressively defend
Genus, species
common name
Spermophilis elegans
Wyoming ground squirrel
Genus, species
Common name
Model for:
Notable feature
Cynomys ludovicianus
Black tailed prairie dog
biliary physiology, gallstone formation
gallbladder on ventral surface of median lobe
Genus, species
other related genera
research model
notable feature
Geomys breviceps
Thomomys spp.
molecular evolution, speciation; coevolution of parasite-host relationships
lips can close behind incisors
long external fur lined cheek pouches
low basal metabolic rate and themal conducatance
Genus, species
Common name
Model for:
Notable feature
Dipodomys spp,
Kangaroo rat
renal physiology, water conservation
myomorpha with hypsodont cheek teeth
Genus, species
Common name
Model for:
Notable feature
Neotoma spp.
Wood rat/pack rat
behavioral/neuro research; zoonotics
late sexual maturity (7-8 mo)
Genus, species
Common name
Model for:
Notable feature
Onchyomys torridus
Grasshopper mouse
predation/aggressive behavior; pain tolerance
can sustain multiple stings and resists pain while hunting
Genus, species
Common name
Model for:
Notable feature
Peromyscus leukopus
white-footed deer mouse
aging, oxidative stress, hantavirus, borelliosis, photoperiod
long lived - up to 8 years in the lab
Breeding
16:8 light cycle
monogomous pairs
Genus, species
Common name
Model for:
Habitat range
Oryzomys palustris
Rice Rat
Periodontal disease, photoperiod
SE US and Mexico
Genus, species
Common name
Model for:
Notable feature
Zygodontomys spp.
cane rat
evolutiounary quantitative genetics, circannual reproductive cycle studeis
one of the few tropical species known to lack a reproductive response to photoperiod
Genus, species
Common name
Husbandry
Notable feature
Sigmodon hispidus
Cotton rat
Solitary
variable chromosome number - 22-52
Research models
Adenovirus - adenovirus type 5
paramyxoviruses
vaccines - polio, typhus, measles
Research model
Mystromys albicaudatus
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
- diabetic retinopathy, diabetic glomerulosclerosis, diabetic angiopathy
dental caries
cutaneous leishmaniasis
Genus, species
Common name
Notable feature
Mystromys albicaudatus
white tailed rat
rumen-like forestomach
lacks gallbladder
young latch on to nipple until 3 weeks old
rudimentary female prostate gland
Genus, species
common name
model for
notable features
Pachyyurmys duprasi
fat tailed jird
leishmania tropica, spongiform auditory degeneration (like gerbils and kangaroo rats)
similar to gerbils but no pair bonding
Genus, species
Common name
Model for:
Notable feature
Microtus orchogaster, M. pensylvanicus
prairie vole, meadow vole
social interaction - monogamy
M. orchogaster is monogamous, M. pennsylvanicus is polygamous and antisocial
Genus, species
Common name
Model for:
Mastomys natalensis
multimammate rat
Lassa virus, gastric carcinoid
Genus, species
Common name
Model for:
Octodon degus
Degu
diet induced DM, DM cataracts; Alzheimer’s disease
genus, species
common name
research model
Acomys spp.
spiny mouse
autotomy - autoamputation and regeneration
genus, species
common name
research model
Psammamys obesus
fat sand rat
Type II DM
