White-Tailed Rats Flashcards
What is the primary species of white-tailed rat study? How popular is it?
Mystromys albicaudatus. Fallen out of use.
What subfamily does Mystromys belong to?
Cricetinae = Hamsters
Do white-tailed rats have cheek pouches? Scent glands? Prostates?
No
Yes, large ventral sebaceous gland
Females have rudimentary prostates
Where is the white-tailed rat found? In what environments.
Grassy flats and dry, sandy areas of South Africa. Lives underground, often in burrows made by other animals, and is nocturnal.
What were white-tailed rats historically used for in research?
Diabetes mellitus research. Spontaneously develop hyperglycemia, polyuria, glycosuria, ketonuria, and degenerative changes in the islets of Langerhans. Disease more common in males and is not associated with obesity.
What infectious agent are Mystromys albicaudatus an excellent model for?
Cutaneous leishmaniasis
What hemorrhagic fever have WTRs been experimentally infected with?
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus.
Describe the metabolic rate of WTRs.
Has a higher metabolic rate than anticipated. Despite being found in a temperate climate, has thermal characteristics of a rodent adapted to cold temperature.
What is unique regarding the WTR stomach?
Presence of symbiotic bacilli which may aid in digestion process.
Have many mammae do females have?
Two pairs of inguinal mammae.
Describe reproduction in WTRs.
Females sexually mature at 146 days with a gestation period of 38 days. Breeding pairs established at a young age with males removed at parturition. Females give birth to small litters (3) with high survival to weaning which is improved by selecting dams that do not cannibalize their young.
Describe nursing in WTRs.
Newborns attach firmly to nipple and are dragged about for 3 weeks.
How long do WTRs live?
6 years
How are WTRs housed and handled?
Breeding pairs in solid bottom cages. Picked up by the thorax, not the tail.
Ingestion of what agent can cause a fatal enteric syndrome in WTRs?
Topically applied bacitracin, neomycin, and polymyxin antibiotic.
What condition is associated with diabetes in WTRs?
Glomerulosclerosis.
