Social Evolution in African Mole-Rats – A Comparative Overview

Faulkes, Christopher G.; Bennett, Nigel C.

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-65943-1_1

Cited by 25 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 145 publications

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“…Although physiological parameters have been investigated along an aridity gradient in mammals [ 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ], to date, no study has investigated the oxidative status parameters of a mammal across an aridity gradient. The family Bathyergidae occupies a wide range of habitats from mesic to hyper-arid [ 45 , 46 , 47 ], as well as displaying a unique cline of sociality ranging from solitary, social and some species considered eusocial [ 48 , 49 , 50 ]. As such, this study set out to determine the variation in oxidative status of a single subterranean mammalian species, the common mole-rat ( Cryptomys hottentotus hottentotus ), across an aridity gradient, where this species occupies arid, semi-arid and mesic habitats [ 21 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tissue Oxidative Ecology along an Aridity Gradient in a Mammalian Subterranean Species

et al. 2022

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Climate change has caused aridification which can alter habitat vegetation, soil and precipitation profiles potentially affecting resident species. Vegetation and soil profiles are important for subterranean mole-rats as increasing aridity causes soils to become harder and geophytes less evenly distributed, and the inter-geophyte distance increases. Mole-rats obtain all water and dietary requirements from geophytes, and thus digging in harder soils may amplify stressors (hyperthermia, dehydration- or exercise-induced damage). This study assessed the oxidative status of the wild common mole-rat along an aridity gradient (arid, semi-arid and mesic). Kidney and liver oxidative markers, including total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oxidative stress index (OSI), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. Liver oxidative status did not demonstrate any significance with the degree of the aridity gradient. Aridity affected the TAC and OSI of the kidney, with individuals in the most arid habitats possessing the highest TAC. The evolution of increased group size to promote survival in African mole-rats in arid habitats may have resulted in the additional benefit of reduced oxidative stress in the kidneys. The SOD activity of the kidneys was higher than that of the liver with lower oxidative damage, suggesting this species pre-emptively protects its kidneys as these are important for water balance and retention.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tissue Oxidative Ecology along an Aridity Gradient in a Mammalian Subterranean Species

et al. 2022

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“…Indeed, we propose the large ovarian reserve and potential for postnatal oogenesis that we report is closely intertwined with the adaptions for remarkable longevity and eusociality in this species. Naked mole-rats have the largest reproductive skew among mammals 66 ; while the vast majority of adult females will never breed, all need to be ready should the opportunity arise. The impact on direct reproductive fitness is substantial for those females that attain and maintain queen status.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Postnatal oogenesis leads to an exceptionally large ovarian reserve in naked mole-rats

et al. 2023

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In the long-lived naked mole-rat (NMR), the entire process of oogenesis occurs postnatally. Germ cell numbers increase significantly in NMRs between postnatal days 5 (P5) and P8, and germs cells positive for proliferation markers (Ki-67, pHH3) are present at least until P90. Using pluripotency markers (SOX2 and OCT4) and the primordial germ cell (PGC) marker BLIMP1, we show that PGCs persist up to P90 alongside germ cells in all stages of female differentiation and undergo mitosis both in vivo and in vitro. We identified VASA+ SOX2+ cells at 6 months and at 3-years in subordinate and reproductively activated females. Reproductive activation was associated with proliferation of VASA+ SOX2+ cells. Collectively, our results suggest that highly desynchronized germ cell development and the maintenance of a small population of PGCs that can expand upon reproductive activation are unique strategies that could help to maintain the NMR’s ovarian reserve for its 30-year reproductive lifespan.

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“…However, important for the present study, we substantially doubt that observational data can elucidate the sexual mating system in a reliable manner. Behavioral studies equate the "mating males" as "reproductive males, " although breeding NMR males cannot be distinguished by morphological characteristics (e.g., body size, large external testes or protuberant penises) (Jarvis, 1991;Braude, 2000) as in other related molerat species (e.g., Fukomys) (Faulkes and Bennett, 2021). Some authors defined "copulation" as contact between the genitalia of the male and female with pelvic thrusting by the male just before and during copulation (Lacey and Sherman, 1991).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Mating Pattern of Captive Naked Mole-Rats Is Best Described by a Monogamy Model

et al. 2022

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Naked mole-rats form colonies with a single reproductively active female surrounded by subordinate workers. Workers perform offspring care, construction and defense of the burrow system, and food supply. Such division of labor, called “cooperative breeding,” is strongly associated with the evolution of monogamous mating behavior, as seen in several mammalian lineages. This association is explained by the evolutionary theory of kin selection, according to which a subordinate adult may help to raise other’s offspring if they are in full sibling relationship. In conflict with this theory, the naked mole-rat is widely considered to be polyandrous, based on reports on multiple males contributing to a colony’s progeny. In order to resolve this contrast, we undertook an in-depth microsatellite-based kinship analysis on captive colonies. Four independent colonies comprising a total of 265 animals were genotyped using a panel of 73 newly established microsatellite markers. Our results show that each mole-rat colony contains a single monogamous breeder pair, which translates to a reproductive skew of 100% for both sexes. This finding, also in conjunction with previously published parental data, favors monogamy as the best-fitting model to describe naked mole-rat reproduction patterns. Polyandry or other polygamous reproduction models are disfavored and should be considered as exceptional. Overall, the empirical genetic data are in agreement with the kin selection theory.

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Social Evolution in African Mole-Rats – A Comparative Overview

Cited by 25 publications

References 145 publications

Tissue Oxidative Ecology along an Aridity Gradient in a Mammalian Subterranean Species

Tissue Oxidative Ecology along an Aridity Gradient in a Mammalian Subterranean Species

Postnatal oogenesis leads to an exceptionally large ovarian reserve in naked mole-rats

The Mating Pattern of Captive Naked Mole-Rats Is Best Described by a Monogamy Model

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