MICROBIOLOGY OF HIBERNATION IN GROUND SQUIRRELS 



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14 19 26 30 47 2 8 17 18 



ARCTIC GROUND SQUIRRELS GIVEN PHAGE 42 



Figure 2. A/clic ground squirrels given phage 42. 



The results of the bacterial virus study are presented in Fig- 

 ure 2. In can be seen that the virus was rapidly eliminated from 

 the intestinal tract of the active animals, but was retained for 

 a considerable period of time by the animals which hibernated. 

 It should be noted that each of the hibernating individuals was in 

 an aroused, or active state for periods of time more than that 

 required for complete elimination of the virus in the non-hiber- 

 nating squirrels. This might be explained by the fact that when 

 the animals come out of hibernation for these short periods, 

 they usually do not eat, even though food may be available. This 

 would, of course, result in a less rapid turn- over of the intestinal 

 contents and thus permit a retention of the virus. In any case, 

 it is not suggested that the extended period of virus retention 

 observed in the hibernating animals was the result of any spe- 

 cific effect, but rather a reflection of the fact that under these 

 conditions it simply takes longer for material to pass through 

 the gastrointestinal tract of the animal. It is likely that the phage 

 is handled as an inert particle, so far as the animal is concerned. 



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