THE DISTRIBUTION, ORIENTATION, AND ACTIVITIES OF THE VARYING LEMMING IN A GRADIENT OF TEMPERATURE

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Smith, Donald A., Fisher, Kenneth C.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1956
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Dicrostonyx groenlandicus
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z56-038; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z56-038

Comparisons were made of the behavior of individual varying lemmings, Dicrostonyx groenlandicus, in a 98 in. aluminum tube with and without a temperature gradient established. Normal lemmings with furred soles are the only animals tested thus far which did not select a portion of a temperature gradient. However, in the same apparatus, lemmings whose soles had been clipped naked selected the zone 28°–35 °C. This finding indicates that temperature selection in these lemmings as possibly in other small mammals tested is brought about by stimulation of temperature receptors in the soles of the feet, and that the dense fur on the soles of normal lemmings interferes with this mechanism and thus with temperature selection. In general the lemmings faced the two ends of the apparatus equally. However, there was a marked tendency for lemmings which were selecting temperature to orient towards the end from which they entered the tube. The frequency and location of non-locomotor activities (resting, grooming, attacking, and voiding) in normal lemmings were different in the gradient than at room temperature. This implies perception of temperature even though selection did not occur. Apparently a temperature perception mechanism distinct from that leading to temperature selection is involved in these normal lemmings.