Indian palm squirrel

About: Indian palm squirrel is a(n) research topic. Over the lifetime, 32 publication(s) have been published within this topic receiving 181 citation(s). The topic is also known as: Funambulus palmarum.

Four Hour Temporal Relation of 5-HTP and L-DOPA Induces Inhibitory Responses in Recrudescing Gonad of Indian Palm Squirrel (Funambulus pennantii).

Abstract: Daily injections of L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA, dopamine precursor) given 4 h after 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP, serotonin precursor) induced inhibitory responses in recrudescing gonad (in the first week of December) of Indian palm squirrel, a seasonally breeding subtropical animal. Other temporal relations (L-DOPA given at 0, 8, 12, 16, and 20 h after 5-HTP administration) did not show any effect on the recrudescing gonad. This inhibitory effect of 4 h was evident under short day length (6 : 18) group but was masked by the increasing day length of nature (NDL, late December onwards) and increased photoperiod of long day group (16 : 8). It is apparent that seasonal testicular recrudescence of Indian palm squirrel during short day length by 4 h relation of 5-HTP and L-DOPA is not a pharmacological effect but actually is an alteration of seasonality in this annually breeding mammal. It seems that endogenous mechanism controlling seasonal testicular recrudescence of Indian palm squirrel is reset by timed daily injections of these neurotransmitter drugs. It is suggested that in spite of different environmental factors (photoperiod, humidity, etc.) used by different species to time their annual reproduction, basic mechanism of seasonality appears to be the same, that is, the temporal synergism of neurotransmitter activity.

Effect of altered thyroid and adrenal activity on the seasonal reproduction of the Indian palm squirrel, Funambulus pennanti

Abstract: Thiouracil and metyrapone administered during the progression phase of the annual reproductive cycle inhibited gonadal development in the Indian palm squirrel, Funambulus pennanti. In a further experiment, these drugs led to normal gonadal regression during the late breeding phase. Thyroxine and corticosterone treatment, on the other hand, maintained the gonads continuously in breeding condition, unlike those of controls, which exhibited characteristic post-reproductive regression. Since hypofunction of the thyroid and adrenal glands had inhibitory effects on the initiation of seasonal gonadal growth, and hyperactivity affects post-reproductive regression, it is suggested that an optimal level of hormones is required for the normal breeding cycle in this subtropical mammal. The results are discussed in terms of an interrelationship between the seasonal thyroid, adrenal, and gonad cycles under natural conditions.

Altered Habitats, Altered Behaviours:Use of Plastic in Nest Building by Indian Palm Squirrel

Abstract: Nests are observed throughout the animal kingdom, and in general, they are essential for the protection and upbringing of young ones. Owing to the thermal determination of sexes in reptilian species, and communal livelihoods of social insects, both nest-building and nests have received considerable scientific attention. Social insects communally build large nests and spend their lives completely within them. Birds build their nests just before egg laying and abandon them immediately after the departure of the fledglings. Chimpanzees build their nests for the purpose of sleeping and hence, construct them on a daily basis. Additionally, nests differ in shape, size and materials used to build them.