Japanese dormouse  (Glirulus japonicus)

Authentication

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact: arkive@wildscreen.org.uk

Glossary

  • Cecum: a large pouch that receives waste material from the small intestine and marks the beginning of the large intestine. Most herbivores have a relatively large cecum, holding a large number of bacteria which assist with the breakdown of plant materials such as cellulose.
  • Cellulose: the primary structural component of green plants.
  • Genus: a category used in taxonomy, which is below ‘family’ and above ‘species’. A genus tends to contain species that have characteristics in common. The genus forms the first part of a ‘binomial’ Latin species name; the second part is the specific name.
  • Gestation: the state of being pregnant; the period from conception to birth.
  • Hibernation: a winter survival strategy characteristic of some mammals in which an animal’s metabolic rate slows down and a state of deep sleep is attained. Whilst hibernating, animals survive on stored reserves of fat that they have accumulated in summer. In insects, the correct term for hibernation is ‘diapause’, a temporary pause in development and growth. Any stage of the lifecycle (eggs, larvae, pupae or adults) may enter diapause, which is typically associated with winter.
  • Nocturnal: active at night.

References

  1. IUCN Red List (June, 2009)
    http://www.iucnredlist.org
  2. Nowak, R.M. (1999) Walker’s Mammals of the World, Sixth Edition.John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore and London.
  3. Macdonald, D.W. (2006) The Encyclopedia of Mammals.Oxford University Press, Oxford.
  4. Shibata, F., Kawamichi, T. and Nishibayashi, K. (2004) Daily rest-site selection and use by the Japanese dormouse. Journal of Mammalogy, 85: 30 - 37.
  5. Wild World Ecoregion Profile (June, 2007)
    http://www.nationalgeographic.com/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/pa/pa0441.html
  6. Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan (June, 2007)
    http://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/wh/shirakami/index.html
  7. UNEP-WCMC (June, 2007)
    http://www.unep-wcmc.org/sites/wh/pdf/Shirakami%20%20Sanchi.pdf
  8. American Committee for KEEP. Inc. (June, 2007)
    http://www.ackeep.org/index.htm
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