Abstract

TARABORELLI, Paula; BORRUEL, Natalia; SANDOBAL, Ana J.  and  GIANNONI, Stella. Influence of biotic and abiotic factors on the structure of burrows of the cavy Microcavia australis. Mastozool. neotrop. [online]. 2009, vol.16, n.2, pp.411-421. ISSN 0327-9383.

Burrows provide a stable microclimate and give small mammals protection from extreme temperatures and from predators on the ground surface. The objective was to determine the influence of biotic and abiotic factors on the structure of burrows used by the cavy Microcavia australis. The study was conducted on two sites with different climate conditions, predation risk and size of plant patches. A total of 18 main burrows and 13satellite burrows were characterized at Ñacuñán, and 12 main and 3 satellite burrows at El Leoncito. The larger number of holes and higher development of main and satelliteburrows at Ñacuñán is likely related to higher risk of raptor predation. At both sites burrows would function as shelter from the environment since temperature in the galleries is lower than soil temperature at the hottest time of the day. Moreover, active holes are east-oriented at Ñacuñán, avoiding SE and S winds, and northwest-oriented at El Leoncito, receiving the warm dry wind from the NW. Also due to gallery inclination the sun goes deeper into the tunnels in the coldest season (winter) than in the warmest one (summer). Burrows would afford cavies a refuge from predators and a stable microclimate.

Keywords : Biotic and abiotic factors; Burrow structure; Microcavia australis; Monte desert.

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