Hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration in four chromosomal species and some isolated populations of actively speciating subterranean mole rats in Israel

Hematocrit (HCT) and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration were measured in four chromosomal species and some peripherally semi-isolated and isolated populations of the mole rat superspecies Spalax ehrenbergi in Israel. HCT was 52.0, 51.4, 50.9, and 47.8%, and Hb was 16.0, 16.6, 16.3, and 14.7 g/100 ml for 2n = 52, 58, 54, and 60, respectively. The species 2n = 60, which lives in arid habitats, had lower HCT and Hb than the other three species. HCT decreased as aridity increased between the species and within the species 2n = 60. Changes in HCT probably reflect clinal changes in both soil permeability to gases and ambient temperature.     

Adaptive heart and breathing frequencies in 4 ecologically differentiating chromosomal species of mole rats in Israel

Summary Breathing (f_R) and heart (f_H) frequencies decreases as aridity increases in 4 chromosomal species of theSpalax ehrenbergi that inhabits humid to arid habitats in Israel in the order 2n=52, 58, 54, 60. Breathing frequencies were 50.0, 46.9, 45.9, and 43.4% of the expected values, and f_H were 37.6, 32.7, 27.8, and 25.8% for 2n=52, 58, 54, and 60, respectively. The decrease of f_R and f_H has a genetic basis and correlates with the metabolism of the mole rat.