Aboveground activity, reproduction, body temperature and weight of armadillos (Xenarthra, Chlamyphoridae) according to atmospheric conditions in the central Monte (Argentina).

SEITZ, V.P.; PUIG, S.

MAMMALIAN BIOLOGY

ELSEVIER GMBH

Año: 2018 vol. 88 p. 43 - 51

1616-5047

Hairy armadillos are generalist species widely distributed in South America. Three of these species,Chaetophractus vellerosus, C. villosus and Zaedyus pichiy, are sympatric in the arid central Monte. Theobjective of this study is to make a contribution to current knowledge about these species, the ecologicalinteractions among them and their responses to arid environments. Aboveground activity, rectaltemperature, body weight and reproductive status were measured in wild populations. The influence ofseasonal and daily atmospheric conditions were estimated through generalized linear models. Seasonalityaffected the Z. pichiy reproduction cycle, body weight and aboveground frequency of occurrence. Therewas a higher frequency of animals with low body weight in late winter and spring, mostly breeding animals.Armadillos regained body weight in autumn, but their aboveground frequency decreased. Femalesshowed higher weight variability than males in autumn. Daily atmospheric temperature proved to bethe most relevant weather condition for Z. pichiy, with a positive influence on aboveground activities andbody temperature. This species had the broadest range of body temperature, without relation to bodyweight. Typical dry and clear days of the central Monte were favorable conditions for Z. pichiy activity. Itsdiurnal activity had a higher probability of occurrence at twilight, and nocturnal activity occurred duringsummer. Presence of C. vellerosus was positively influenced by atmospheric temperature, whereas presenceof C. villosus was not influenced by any weather condition. Differences in the use of solar radiationcould represent a partial temporal segregation, promoting the coexistence of these sympatric species.