Molecular phylogeny of the marmots (Rodentia: Sciuridae): tests of evolutionary and biogeographic hypotheses.

There are 14 species of marmots distributed across the Holarctic, and despite extensive systematic study, their phylogenetic relationships remain largely unresolved. In particular, comprehensive studies have been lacking. A well-supported phylogeny is needed to place the numerous ecological and behavioral studies on marmots in an evolutionary context.

EM studies of female meiosis in wood lemmings with different sex chromosome constitutions.

The chromosomes were studied throughout meiotic prophase by electron microscopy of surface-spread oocytes from one XX, four X*X, and three X*Y female wood lemmings, Myopus schisticolor. The X* chromosome had originated from X by a deletion and an inversion in the short arm. The deletion was confirmed in pachytene cells from X*X females; a D-loop was present in the sex bivalent in 16.

Exclusion of SOX9 as the testis determining factor in Ellobius lutescens: evidence for another testis determining gene besides SRY and SOX9.

In mammals the initiation of testis determination usually depends on the Y-chromosomal gene SRY. A few species, however, escape from this rule with a testis determination that is independent of SRY. The mole vole Ellobius lutescens is one of these species.

An investigation of certain physiological mechanisms of the neurohumoral regulation of vascular tone.

The neuronal organization of the hypothalamobulbar system of regulation of vascular tone was studied in experiments on cats anesthetized with chloralose and nembutal and immobilized by dithylin [suxamethonium iodide]. It was established that the descending influence of the posterior, tuberal, and paraventricular structures of the hypothalamus on the activity of antidromically identified sympathicoactive reticulospinal neurons of the ventrolateral region of the medulla oblongata is realized by mono-, oligo-, and polysynaptic mechanisms. It was shown in a series of experiments carried out in rats that animals subjected to chemical desympathization, by contrast with the controls, do not develop chronic neurogenic hypertension during a six-week stressor influence on higher nervous activity.