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MeSH Review:

Gophers

Reiter, R.J. et al., Lechner, A.J., DeWalt, T.S. et al., El Hani, A. et al., McClellan, D.A., et al.

Reynolds, Schwarz, McFarland, McBride, Adair, Strauss, Cobb, Hooper, McMurry, McClellan,

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High impact information on Gophers

Regions of the pocket gopher cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and cytochrome b (cyt-b) genes are analyzed using this model [1].
The GF scores for expected and observed synonymous (GF(syn) = 0.429, p = 0.807) and nonsynonymous (GF(ns) = 2.309, p = 0.679) substitution frequencies resulted in a failure to reject the CDM as a null hypothesis for the molecular evolution of COI and cyt-b in pocket gophers [1].
The pineal melatonin rhythm and its regulation by light in a subterranean rodent, the valley pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae) [2].
The daytime and nightime levels of pineal N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity, hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT) activity, and melatonin were measured in adult male and female valley pocket gophers, Thomomys bottae [2].
Estimates of levels of nucleotide sequence divergence between species of these genera indicated that the cytochrome b gene of pocket gophers may have evolved at a dramatically higher rate than in organisms examined previously (D. M. Irwin, T. D. Kocher, and A. C. Wilson, J. Mol. Evol. 32: 128-144, 1991) [3].

Biological context of Gophers

In two mitochondrial genes, cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and cytochrome b (cyt-b) in pocket gophers, the s/v ratio is about two at nondegenerate and fourfold degenerate sites for both the COI and the cyt-b genes [4].

Anatomical context of Gophers

When wild captured pocket gophers were maintained under a light:dark cycle (light intensity during the day of roughly 140 microW/cm2), nightime levels of pineal NAt activity and melatonin content were higher than values measured during the day; on the other hand, HIOMT activity in the pineal gland was similar in the day and at night [2].
Myoglobin concentrations were significantly higher in skeletal muscles (diaphragm, gastrocnemius) of T. umbrinus when compared to T. bottae, and significantly higher in both gophers when compared to rats [5].

Associations of Gophers with chemical compounds

Together, our results suggest that all of the rodents tested are insensitive to strychnine, high concentrations of some bitter tastes may be effective pocket gopher repellents, and lower concentrations of DB may selectively repel nontarget animals from strychnine baits [6].
Moreover, while high (0.1%) concentrations of DB, quinine hydrochloride, and quebracho reduced consumption by pocket gophers, 0.05% DB was inoffensive [6].
To examine the adaptations to low O2 and high CO2 among fossorial and nonfossorial rodents, hematological parameters were determined for laboratory rats, the valley pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae) from 250 m, and the mountain pocket gopher (T. umbrinus melanotis) from 3150 m [5].

Gene context of Gophers

Among biomarker data, we observed a negative relationship between concentration of lead in the soil and ALAD activity in gophers with detectable concentrations of lead in their blood (r2 = 0.45; p = 0.006; n = 15) [7].
Phylogenetic relationships of pocket gophers (Cratogeomys and Pappogeomys) based on mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b sequences [3].

References

The codon-degeneracy model of molecular evolution. McClellan, D.A. J. Mol. Evol. (2000) [Pubmed]
The pineal melatonin rhythm and its regulation by light in a subterranean rodent, the valley pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae). Reiter, R.J., Reiter, M.N., Hattori, A., Yaga, K., Herbert, D.C., Barlow-Walden, L. J. Pineal Res. (1994) [Pubmed]
Phylogenetic relationships of pocket gophers (Cratogeomys and Pappogeomys) based on mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b sequences. DeWalt, T.S., Sudman, P.D., Hafner, M.S., Davis, S.K. Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. (1993) [Pubmed]
On transition bias in mitochondrial genes of pocket gophers. Xia, X., Hafner, M.S., Sudman, P.D. J. Mol. Evol. (1996) [Pubmed]
Respiratory adaptations in burrowing pocket gophers from sea level and high altitude. Lechner, A.J. Journal of applied physiology. (1976) [Pubmed]
Flavor avoidance learning and its implications in reducing strychnine baiting hazards to nontarget animals. El Hani, A., Mason, J.R., Nolte, D.L., Schmidt, R.H. Physiol. Behav. (1998) [Pubmed]
Northern pocket gophers (Thomomys talpoides) as biomonitors of environmental metal contamination. Reynolds, K.D., Schwarz, M.S., McFarland, C.A., McBride, T., Adair, B., Strauss, R.E., Cobb, G.P., Hooper, M.J., McMurry, S.T. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. (2006) [Pubmed]

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