Muscle architecture and muscle fibre type composition in the forelimb of two African mole-rat species, Bathyergus suillus and Heterocephalus glaber

Abstract

The scratch-digging Cape dune mole-rat (Bathyergus suillus), and the chisel-toothed digging naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) are African mole-rats that differ in their digging strategy. The aim of this study was to determine if these behavioural differences are reflected in the muscle architecture and fibre-type composition of the forelimb muscles. Muscle architecture parameters of 39 forelimb muscles in both species were compared. Furthermore, muscle fibre type composition of 21 forelimb muscles were analysed using multiple staining protocols. In B. suillus, muscles involved with the power stroke of digging (limb retractors and scapula elevators), showed higher muscle mass percentage, force output and shortening capacity compared to those in H. glaber. Additionally, significantly higher percentages of glycolytic fibres were observed in the scapular elevators and digital flexors of B. suillus compared to H. glaber, suggesting that the forelimb muscles involved in digging in B. suillus provide fast, powerful motions for effective burrowing. In contrast, the m. sternohyoideus a head and neck flexor, had significantly more oxidative fibres in H. glaber compared to B. suillus. In addition, significantly greater physiological cross-sectional area and fascicle length values were seen in the neck flexor, m. sternocleidomastoideus, in H. glaber compared to B. suillus, which indicates a possible adaptation for chisel-tooth digging. While functional demands may play a significant role in muscle morphology, the phylogenetic differences between the two species may play an additional role which needs further study.