Functional histology of the skin in the subterranean African giant mole-rat: thermal windows are determined solely by pelage characteristics.

ABSTRACT: Excavation of burrows is an extremely physically demanding activity producing a large amount of metabolic heat. Dissipation of its surplus is crucial to avoid the risk of overheating, but in subterranean mammals it is complicated due to the absence of notable body extremities and high humidity in their burrows. IR-thermography in a previous study on two species of African mole-rats revealed that body heat was dissipated mainly through the ventral body part, which is notably less furred. Here, we analyzed the dorsal and ventral skin morphology, to test if dermal characteristics could contribute to higher heat dissipation through the ventral body part. The thickness of the epidermis and dermis and the presence, extent and connectivity of fat tissue in the dermis were examined using routine h

SUBMITTER: Plestilova L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7150539 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature