Functional and Size Characteristics of the Digestive Tract of the Mole Vole Ellobius talpinus

Abstract

The weight parameters of the digestive tract, which characterize the size and filling of the fermentation chambers (forestomach and cecum), the mass of the walls and of the content of these organs, and the concentration and size composition of the fibers in the chyme have been determined in 12 individuals of the mole vole Ellobius talpinus born in captivity. The uneven development of the organs of the digestive tract of the mole vole is associated with the specificity of food specialization and does not serve as a compensatory mechanism. Large-size fractions of fiber masses dominate in the content of all organs; the specific content of the fibers is much lower in comparison with M. arvalis sp., which reflects the small impact of cellulose in the feeding of the mole vole. The bilocular discoglandular stomach of the mole vole, which is also typical for herbivorous rodents, is adapted to assimilate easy digestible fodder.