Notes on the current distribution and the ecology of wild golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

Abstract

Two expeditions were carried out during September 1997 and March 1999 to con®rm the current existence of Mesocricetus auratus in northern Syria. Six females and seven males were caught at different sites near Aleppo. One female was pregnant and gave birth to six pups. Altogether, 30 burrows were mapped and the structures of 23 golden hamster burrows investigated. None of the inhabited burrows contained more than one adult. Burrow depths ranged from 36 to 106 cm (mean 65 cm). Their structure was simple, consisting of a single vertical entrance (gravity pipe) that proceeded to a nesting chamber and at least one additional food chamber. The mean length of the entire gallery system measured 200 cm and could extend up to 900 cm. Most burrows were found on agricultural ®elds preferentially on leguminous cultures. The distribution of golden hamsters is discussed in association with historical data, soil types, geography, climate and human activities. All 19 golden hamsters were transferred to Germany and, together with three wild individuals supplied by the University of Aleppo, form a new breeding stock.

Hereditary hydrocephalus internus in a laboratory strain of golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

“…This high incidence occurred despite selection against hydrocephalus during part of the breeding period. As a control, 18 golden hamsters derived from a recently captured 'wild stock' from Syria (Group 3) (see Gattermann et al, 2001) as well as six heads of the strain Zoh:GOHA (Gattermann, 1986) were diagnosed to be free of hydrocephalus. All hamsters of the AURA strain (Group 4, 45 animals) were unaffected.…”

“…Group 2 was progeny of the outbred strain Crl:LVG(SYR) (until 31 December 2004: Lak:LVG(SYR)) obtained from Charles River (Sulzfeld, Germany), as well as adult Crl:LVG(SYR) directly obtained from Charles River (Sulzfeld, Germany). Group 3 was golden hamsters of the wild strain (were obtained from Prof. Gattermann (Gattermann et al, 2001 and). Group 4 consisted of golden hamsters of the aura strain (RjHan:AURA), which were bought from Janvier (Le GenestSt-Isle, France).…”

“…REP: These animals occur at more than one place in the pedigree. All animals were from Group 2 except the two males with the letter 'w' which were from Group 3 (derived from wild animals caught in 2001 by Gattermann et al (2001)). …”

Sexual experience in female rodents: Cellular mechanisms and functional consequences

“…Both species live in burrow systems. Within those burrows, rats have complex social structures consisting of multiple generations of males and females [3], whereas adult hamsters (both male and female) live separately in individual burrows [26].…”

“…Female (as well as male) hamsters insert occlusions in the main tunnel leading into the burrow system [26]. A female hamster actively recruits males to the burrow by opening that occlusion and laying down a vaginal scent trail leading to the burrow entrance in anticipation of the onset of her behavioral estrus [46].…”