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In-Depth Information
where generating a knockout animal or obtaining a specific cell line has been
difficult or impossible.
Finally, advancements in husbandry resources have made keeping non-
model experimental animals in the laboratory a less risky venture. For
example, a wealth of information exists on caring for a captive colony of
thirteen-lined ground squirrels, along with information on wild capture
and captive breeding (
Merriman, Lahvis, Jooss, Gesicki, & Schill, 2012;
Vaughan, Gruber, Michalski, Seidling, & Schlink, 2006
). Recently publi-
shed husbandry practices for bats are also available (
Giannini, 2011
). Simi-
larly, husbandry information exists for passerine birds (order Passeriformes),
which includes many migrating species and seasonal singers (
Bateson &
Feenders, 2010
). These resources provide an important foundation to help
scientists focus on using these valuable species to address research questions
without having to devote as much time to establishing protocols for animal
care and colony maintenance.
7. CONCLUSIONS: FUTURE DIRECTIONS AND
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS
As the previous section details, advances in molecular tools, particularly
for nonmodel organisms, will greatly improve and enhance our ability to study
seasonal behaviors and the circannual timing underlying them. The value of
nonmodel organisms to the study of seasonal phenotypes needs to be better
understood and even heralded, particularly because these organisms can find
answers to questions ill-suited to traditional model organisms (
Bolker, 2012
).
Taking advantage of unique phenotypes like hibernation could greatly benefit
several areas related to human health (e.g.,
Klein, Wendroth, Drewes, &
Andrews, 2010; Mulier, Lexcen, Luzcek, Greenberg, & Beilman, 2011
).
Uncovering some of the genes and pathways underlying the induction and
maintenance of hibernation in particular could benefit research in obesity,
neuroprotection, cardiovascular disease, muscle disuse atrophy, sleep, and
seasonal disorders like SAD. Similar benefits could arise from studying the
molecular genetics of migrating birds or seasonally singing birds. In the words
of Jessica Bolker: There's more to life than rats and flies (
Bolker, 2012
).
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
During the writing of this chapter, the authors were supported by NIH 1RC2HL101625-01
(toMTA) and 1F32NS077643-01A1 (to CS), and U.S. ArmyMedical Research andMateriel
Command W81XWH-11-1-0409 (to MTA).
