Breeding and hibernation of captive meadow jumping mice (Zapus hudsonius)

Abstract

Hibernating mammals exhibit unique metabolic and physiological phenotypes that have potential applications in medicine or spaceflight, yet our understanding of the genetic basis and molecular mechanisms of hibernation is limited. The meadow jumping mouse, a small North American hibernator, exhibits traits–including a short generation time–that would facilitate genetic approaches to hibernation research. Here we report the collection, captive breeding, and laboratory hibernation of meadow jumping mice. Captive breeders in our colony produced a statistically significant excess of male offspring and a large number of all-male and all-female litters. We confirmed that short photoperiod induced pre-hibernation fattening, and cold ambient temperature facilitated entry into hibernation. During pre-hibernation fattening, food consumption exhibited non-linear dependence on both body mass and temperature, such that food consumption was greatest in the heaviest animals at the coldest temperatures. Meadow jumping mice exhibited a strong circadian rhythm of nightly activity that was disrupted during the hibernation interval. We conclude that it is possible to study hibernation phenotypes using captive-bred meadow jumping mice in a laboratory setting.

New insight into drivers of mammalian litter size from individual‐level traits

“…Conversely, jumping mice (genus Zapus , Napaeozapus ), one of the two kangaroo rats ( Dipodomys merriami ), and the American pika Ochotona princeps were among the species with the most negative litter size allometries. Jumping mice are obligate hibernators, which allows at least some species to live longer (Whitaker and Wrigley 1972, Brem et al 2021) and potentially spread reproductive effort over multiple bouts. Pika also live 3–6 years in the wild, which may similarly allow them to invest in smaller litters at each reproductive bout.…”

Single-Cell Atlas Reveals the Hemocyte Subpopulations and Stress Responses in Asian Giant Softshell Turtle during Hibernation

“…Hibernation is an adaptive survival strategy to colder winter conditions or food restrictions, and it occurs in many species, including reptiles [53], mammals [54], amphibians [55], and birds [56]. The physiological functions involved in minimizing energy expenditure, such as body temperature, heart rate, metabolic rate, and sensitivity to external stimuli, were drastically reduced during hibernation [57].…”