A dispersive morph in the naked mole-rat

Nature
M Justin O'RiainC G Faulkes

Abstract

Close inbreeding is known for a variety of small mammal species for which a high probability of mortality during dispersal makes helping and delayed maturation a relatively secure fitness option. Prolonged inbreeding, however, is usually associated with lowered fitness, and it has been shown that most highly inbred small mammals and social insects have inbreeding-avoidance mechanisms that promote some degree of outbreeding. However, previous field and laboratory research on the naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) suggested that this cooperatively breeding rodent is highly inbred, with new colonies forming by fission. Here we report the discovery of a dispersal phenotype that may occasionally promote outbreeding in naked mole-rats. These dispersers are morphologically, physiologically and behaviourally distinct from other colony members. They are laden with fat, exhibit elevated levels of luteinizing hormone, have a strong urge to disperse, and only solicit matings with non-colony members. These findings suggest that, although rare, a dispersive morph exists within naked mole-rat colonies.

References

Aug 8, 1978·Journal of Theoretical Biology·B O Bengtsson
Apr 1, 1990·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·H K ReeveC F Aquadro
Feb 1, 1970·American Zoologist·R K Selander
Sep 1, 1988·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·S F Blouin, M Blouin
Feb 1, 1994·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·J U JarvisP W Sherman

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Mar 29, 2002·Journal of Neurobiology·Maria E PeroulakisNancy G Forger
Jan 3, 2001·Physiology & Behavior·A P Riccio, B D Goldman
Mar 14, 2001·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·C G. Faulkes, N C. Bennett
Dec 13, 2005·The Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences·Rochelle Buffenstein
Dec 24, 1997·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·C G FaulkesJ U Jarvis
Dec 10, 1999·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·F M Clarke, C G Faulkes
May 20, 2000·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·B J Crespi, J E Ragsdale
Jun 10, 2011·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Michael W ButlerMelissah Rowe
Mar 28, 2009·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Andrew F Russell, Virpi Lummaa
Oct 7, 2009·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Tim Clutton-Brock
Aug 4, 2010·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Ralph BergmüllerIan M Hamilton
Nov 17, 2010·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·J CoteA Sih
Apr 10, 2013·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Chris G Faulkes, Nigel C Bennett
Mar 20, 2003·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Jean-François Le GalliardUlf Dieckmann
Aug 9, 2007·BMC Evolutionary Biology·Else J FjerdingstadJean Clobert
Oct 16, 2009·BMC Evolutionary Biology·Nicolas SchtickzelleJean Clobert
Jan 24, 2007·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Ingi AgnarssonWayne P Maddison
May 25, 2007·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·J CoteP S Fitze
Apr 12, 2002·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Kenneth C Catania, Michael S Remple
Mar 12, 2003·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·A F RussellT H Clutton-Brock
Nov 23, 2000·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·M J O'RiainC Peeters
Jul 18, 2014·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·E V BitumeC M Nieberding
Apr 19, 2008·The American Naturalist·Michael F Benard, Shannon J McCauley
Apr 5, 2003·The American Naturalist·Joonghwan Jeon, Jae Chun Choe
Apr 18, 2003·The American Naturalist·Garrick T Skalski, James F Gilliam
Feb 25, 2005·The American Naturalist·Jean-François Le GalliardUlf Dieckmann
Jan 30, 2016·Cell·Kevin DalgaardJ Andrew Pospisilik
Oct 5, 2010·Experimental Gerontology·Yael H EdreyRochelle Buffenstein
Mar 27, 2010·Comptes rendus biologies·Camilo J Cela-CondeAntonio Olivera
Dec 22, 2015·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·Daniele CanestrelliClaudio Carere
May 7, 2009·Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology·Melissa M HolmesNancy G Forger

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.