Thermobiological Characteristics of Pikas, Rabbits and Rats

概要

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Animals are provided by nature with biological defense mechanisms against the deleterious effects of the environment. Three different animal species: pikas, rabbits and rats were compared in their thermobiological characteristics. Results revealed significant dissimilarities of the characteristics of pikas from both rabbits and rats that they called morphologically and physiologically unique. Compared to the two, these animals have relatively high body temperature and absence of circadian rhythm in core body temperature. These probably explain the non-manifestation of thermal panting and salivation which are evidences of the absence of natural heat losing ability in these animals. Since 1975 up to the present blood glucose has never been studied in pikas. Thus, in this experiment, this substance was determined to explain some biochemical related peculiarities in these animals. Findings revealed a low blood glucose level in pika in contrast to the rats but relatively similar to that of the rabbits. Conclusively, pikas have peculiarities which enable them to exist in environments with low temperature. It seems that blood glucose does not bear any relationship with this physiological nature. The same characteristics make them different from Lagomorpha and other lower animals.
長崎大学の論文