Enciclopedia Virtual de los Vertebrados Españoles

All vertebrates and invertebrates manifest self/non-self recognition. Any attempt to answer the question of adaptive significance of recognition must take into account the universality of receptor-mediated responses. These may take two forms: (1) rearranging, clonally distributed antigen-specific receptors that distinguish in the broadest sense between self and non-self, and non-self A from non-self B, latecomers on the evolutionary scene; (2) pattern recognition receptors, the earliest to evolve and still around, necessitating the requirement for induced second signals in T- and B-cell activation. Either strategy need not force upon invertebrates the organization, structure and adaptive functions of vertebrate immune systems. Thus, we can freely delve into the unique aspects of the primitive immune mechanisms of invertebrates. In contrast, using the opposite strategy which is still problematic, i.e. linking invertebrate and vertebrate defence, seems to give us an approach to universality that might eventually reveal homologous kinship.

Invertebrate immunity: another viewpoint.

Morphological and haematological parameters in the Algerian mouse (Mus spretus) inhabiting an area contaminated with heavy metals

Many species of bats undergo annual migrations, in some cases covering distances of 1,000 km or more. However, very little is known about the physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying bat migration. In contrast, the physiology of migrating birds has been studied for decades and many migration-related changes have been documented. Although bats and birds evolved flight and long-distance migration independently, they have likely experienced many similar selective pressures. We therefore suggest that knowledge of bird migration physiology can be used to generate predictions for emerging studies of bat migration physiology. In this review, we discuss major physiological and biochemical adaptations relating to fuel acquisition and fuel utilization. For each, we summarize knowledge gained from migration studies of birds and bats (if any) and make predictions of bat migration physiology. For many aspects, we predict that bats will have evolved similar physiological mechanisms to birds. However, there are some potentially major differences in the energetic models for bats and birds, including torpor, fuel selection at high-intensity exercise, and trade-offs between reproduction and migration.

https://bioone.org/journals/journal-of-mammalogy/volume-90/issue-6/09-MAMM-S-084R.1/What-Can-Birds-Tell-Us-about-the-Migration-Physiology-of/10.1644/09-MAMM-S-084R.1.pdf

What Can Birds Tell Us about the Migration Physiology of Bats

The present study evaluated whether blood could be used as a nondestructive tool for monitoring metal exposure and related hematological effects in wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus L.) living along a metal pollution gradient. Soil concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, silver, and zinc decreased with distance from the emission source. Blood levels of cadmium and lead differed significantly among sites, whereas those of the other metals did not. Blood levels of cadmium and lead correlated with soil concentrations of cadmium and lead, respectively. No such significant relationships were found for the other measured metals. Hematocrit levels decreased in wood mice from the most polluted site (45.96% +/- 0.53% [mean +/- standard error]) compared to the reference site (48.04% +/- 0.47%). A negative correlation between hematocrit and blood levels of cadmium and lead was found. Erythrocyte count, leukocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (average wt of hemoglobin in a red blood cell in pg), and lysozyme activity did not differ among study sites. Mean corpuscular volume (average volume of a red blood cell in microm3) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (average proportion of hemoglobin in a red blood cell as a %) differed among study sites but showed no relationship with metal exposure. We conclude that whole blood from mice can be used for nondestructive monitoring of the exposure to nonessential metals under natural conditions. The present results indicate that decreased hematocrit levels may be an early warning signal for a negative impact of metal exposure on the oxygen-transport capacity of blood in wood mice in their natural environment.

Metal blood levels and hematological characteristics in wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus L.) along a metal pollution gradient

Hematological data and hemoglobin components in bats (Vespertilionidae).

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1. Both sexes from Pipistrellus pipistrellus show changes in body weight, which was higher in the cold season.

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2. Sexual dimorphism was observed in white adipose tissue weight.

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3. Animals from the cold season had a greater amount of brown adipose tissue.

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4. No sexual differences were observed in the phospholipid and fatty acid compositions of white and brown tissues, although total phospholipids increased during the cold season in the latter tissue.

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5. Both tissues show a higher proportion of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids in the two seasons studied.

Seasonal variations in the lipid composition of white and brown tissues in the bat Pipistrellus pipistrellus

Hematological values and relative heart weight were analyzed in two rodents: the mouse, Apodemus sylvaticus (Linnaeus, 1758), and the vole, Pitymys duodecimostatus (de Selys-Longchamps, 1839).

http://rcin.org.pl/ibs/Content/11716/BI002_2613_Cz-40-2_Acta-T35-nr21-201-208_o.pdf

Seasonal variations in hematological values and heart weight in two small mammals, a mouse: Apodemus sylvaticus, and a vole: Pitymys duodecimcostatus

Hemoglobin and oxygen: different affinities in two species of rodents (Mus musculus and Pitymys duodecimcostatus).

The functional properties of hemolysates from the bats Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Miniopterus schreibersi and Pipistrellus pipistrellus were studied at 25°C and 37°C over the pH range 7.0–7.4. The concentrations of 2,3-DPG and their effect on hemoglobin O2 affinity were also studied under the same conditions. At pH 7.4 and 37°C hemoglobin O2 affinity was higher than in similarly-sized non-flying, normothermic mammals.The Bohr effect values in the three bat species were slightly lower than those reported for small non-flying mammals. The temperature sensitivities of the oxygenation reactions in bat hemoglobins were low, which may be a mechanism for avoiding the effects of abrupt body temperature changes on oxygen loading and unloading by hemoglobin. The levels of 2, 3-DPG high in red blood cells of active bats decrease when the bats are hibernating. Thus changes in hemoglobin O2 affinity are more probably due to changes in 2,3-DPG concentrations than to alterations of body temperature.

F. Arévalo

Papers

Hematological data and hemoglobin components in bats (Vespertilionidae).

Seasonal variations in the lipid composition of white and brown tissues in the bat Pipistrellus pipistrellus

Seasonal variations in hematological values and heart weight in two small mammals, a mouse: Apodemus sylvaticus, and a vole: Pitymys duodecimcostatus

Hemoglobin and oxygen: different affinities in two species of rodents (Mus musculus and Pitymys duodecimcostatus).

Oxygen-binding properties of bat hemoglobins