Body Temperature Patterns in Captive Barbary Striped Grass Mousse (Lemniscomysbarbarus): Influence of Photoperiod and Sex Steroids

This study use miniature temperature-sensitive data loggers to record core body temperature (Tb) in Lemniscomysbarbarus, a diurnal Muridae rodent living in Africa. The work shows the existence of a strong and bimodal daily Tb rhythm in this species whose external synchronizer is the light-dark cycle; it’s also confirmed the diurnal and photoperiodic character of this animal. The highest values of Tb were registered during the light-phase in anti-phase with the nocturnal species. In the experimental conditions of this work Lemniscomysbarbarus do not express the phenomenon of diurnal torpor. Nevertheless, this characteristic mechanism of energy saving in small-sized mammals could be appearing by the association of the combined effects of short photoperiod, low ambient temperature and limited food supply.