Acomys russatus

Heterospecific chemical signalling appears in studies of the temporal segregation of closely related species. Odour exposure was most effective in the taxon with labile features to its activity rhythm. Friedman et al. (1997) found such interactions in Golden Spiny mice (Acomys russatus). Exposure to odours from A. cahirinus, a co-existing sympatric, forced A. russatus to be active at less preferred times. Food niche specialisation, as well as differential activity rhythms, apply to co-existing species with narrow (plant) preferences (Petter and Peyrieras, 1970). All three species of Bamboo lemur (Hapalemur) overlap in selection of their... 

Haim, A., Shanas, U., Oates, K. M., Sample, C. B., Buzzell, G. R. 1997. 5 - aminolevulinate synthase is present, but porphyrin does not accumulate, in the Harderian glands of the blind mole rat, Splax ehrenbergi, and two species of spiny mouise, Acomys cahirinus and Acomy russatus. IsrJ.Zool. (In Press). 

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