Physiological and biochemical changes associated with acute experimental dehydration in the desert adapted mouse,Peromyscus eremicus.
Characterizing traits critical for adaptation to a given environment is an important first step in understanding how phenotypes evolve. How animals adapt to the extreme heat and aridity commonplace to deserts is an exceptionally interesting example of these processes, and has been the focus of study for decades. In contrast to those studies, where experiments are conducted on either wild animals or captive animals held in non-desert conditions, the study described here leverages a unique environmental chamber that replicates desert conditions for captivePeromyscus eremicus(cactus mouse). Here, we establish baseline values for daily water intake and for serum electrolytes, as well as the response of these variables to acute experimental dehydration. In brief,Peremicusdaily water intake is very low. Its serum electrolytes are distinct from many previously studied animals, and its response to acute dehydration is profound, though not suggestive of renal impairment, which is atypical of mammals.
Department of Molecular Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire.
Lauren
L
Kordonowy
Department of Molecular Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire.
Kaelina D
KD
Lombardo
Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire.
Hannah L
HL
Green
Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire.
Molly D
MD
Dawson
Department of Molecular Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire.
Evice A
EA
Bolton
Department of Psychology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire.
Sarah
S
LaCourse
Department of Molecular Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire matthew.macmanes@unh.edu.
Matthew D
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2368-6960
MD
MacManes
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D003681:Dehydration / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003889:Desert Climate; D004326:Drinking / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010542:Peromyscus; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance / Q000502:physiology*
Dehydration; desert; electrolyte; rodent