Grasshopper mouse

Grasshopper mice are rodents of the genus Onychomys, occurring in North America. They feed on insects and other arthropods.

Grasshopper mice
Temporal range: Early Pliocene – Present
A grasshopper mouse eating a beetle
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Cricetidae
Subfamily: Neotominae
Tribe: Reithrodontomyini
Genus: Onychomys
Baird, 1857
Species

Onychomys arenicola
Onychomys leucogaster
Onychomys torridus

Biology

The three species in this genus of New World mice are only distantly related to the common house mouse, Mus musculus. They are endemic to the United States and Mexico. The southern grasshopper mouse has around a 3.5 to 5.0 inches (8.9–12.7 cm) long body and a tail that is generally 1.0 to 2.5 inches (2.5–6.4 cm) long.[1] Its behavior is rather distinct from other mice.

It is a carnivorous rodent, dining on insects (such as grasshoppers), worms, spiders, centipedes, scorpions, snakes, and even other mice. It also stalks its prey in the manner of a cat, sneaking up quietly, and defends its territory by "howling" like a small wolf. The grasshopper mouse is known to be immune to various venoms released by its prey (scorpions, snakes, etc.).[2] Grasshopper mice are nocturnal and avoid exposure to bright light.[3]

Ecology

Diet

Grasshopper mice prey on highly venomous arthropods. One example is centipedes that normally kill mice by injecting deadly toxin through their venomous forcipules. Grasshopper mice move swiftly, while centipedes can only inject their toxin if their prey is held by the centipede's needle-sharp claws. The mouse remains out of reach of the centipede, and attacks it by repeatedly biting through its hard exoskeleton. Each attack on the centipede damages its central nervous system, until the centipede is paralyzed and the grasshopper mouse can eat it safely.

Another example of a venomous arthropod is the bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus). The grasshopper mouse survives in the deserts of southwest United States by feeding on the bark scorpion, which are plentiful, due to other resources being less common.[4] Their aggressive nature extends beyond their hunting habits: when held in captivity with other mice, they will often kill and eat those other mice. However, they have a disadvantage when it involves capturing in open areas because of their short legs and wide bodies (which reduces their speed). Fortunately, due to their ability to maneuver well, they are able to move quickly in narrow areas allowing them to capture their prey more efficiently.[3]

Physiology

Pain Intolerance

The bark scorpion and the grasshopper mouse have been coevolving with each other so closely that it has affected their physiology. The scorpion uses its stinger to inject toxins into the nervous and muscle tissues which causes disruption in the animals sensory system. However, as the scorpions stinger evolves to become more toxic, the mice evolve in order to cope with the toxins. Therefore, the grasshopper mice have sensory neurons that have evolved which reject the toxins and prevents pain signals.[5] Researchers now know that the grasshopper mouse barely notices the intensifying sting due to a mutation in the cellular pathway that controls their pain response. Compared to the normal house mouse, the grasshopper mouse has one more amino acid in the protein making up the sodium channel Na+ nav1.8. This change prevents the mouse from processing Na+ currents when injected with the scorpion's venom, which blocks action potential propagation and induces analgesia. [6] By having a better understanding of the grasshopper mouses's cellular mutation, scientists can conduct more research and eventually develop a pain relieving drug.[7]

Communication

Onychomys have six different vocalization types (two neotal and four adult). They have a wide range of calls that can distinguish them between species, sex, and individuals. For example, the larger mice tend to have deeper voices.[8] When they feel attacked, they will let out a rapid screech/bark.[3]

Species

References

  1. "Mearns' Grasshopper Mouse (Onychomys Arenicola)." Mearns' Grasshopper Mouse (Onychomys Arenicola). The Mammals of Texas- Online Edition, n.d. Web. 10 April 2013.
  2. Onychomys: Tiny Terror of the Western Deserts
  3. Bailey, Vernon; Sperry, Charles (November 1929). "Life History And Habits Of Grasshopper Mice, Genus Onychomys". google scholar. United States Department of Agriculture.
  4. Thompson, Benjamin (June 2018). "The Grasshopper Mouse and Bark Scorpion: Evolutionary Biology Meets Pain Modulation and Selective Receptor Inactivation". The Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience Education. 16 (2): R51–R53. PMC 6057761. PMID 30057511.
  5. Rowe, Ashlee H.; Rowe, Matthew P. (November 2, 2015). "Predatory grasshopper mice" (PDF). Current Biology. 25 (21): R1023–R1026. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2015.07.054. ISSN 0960-9822. PMID 26528738 via CORE.
  6. Rowe, Ashlee (October 2013). "Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel in Grasshopper Mice Defends Against Bark Scorpion Toxin". Science. 342 (6157): 441–446. Bibcode:2013Sci...342..441R. doi:10.1126/science.1236451. PMC 4172297. PMID 24159039.
  7. Thompson, Benjamin (June 2018). "The Grasshopper Mouse and Bark Scorpion: Evolutionary Biology Meets Pain Modulation and Selective Receptor Inactivation". The Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience Education. 16 (2): R51–R53. PMC 6057761. PMID 30057511.
  8. Hafner, Mark; Hafner, David (20 February 1979). "Vocalizations of Grasshopper Mice (Genus Onychomys)". Journal of Mammalogy. 60 (1): 85–94. doi:10.2307/1379761. JSTOR 1379761.
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