Size and structure of burrow systems of the fossorial rodent Ctenomys mendocinus in the piedmont of Mendoza province, Argentina

MARIA ROSI; MONICA CONA; SILVIA PUIG; FERNANDO VIDELA

ZEITSCHRIFT FUR SAUGETIERKUNDE-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MAMMALIAN BIOLOGY

Gustav Fischer, lena

Año: 1996

0044-3468

The structure and size of burrow systems of Ctenomys mendocinus were analysed in the present study.Tllese burrows showed a linear pattern, with a main axis from which branches and laterals forked ofBurrow systems of males were larger than those of females, with a longer main tunnel and greater num-ber of branches. Lengtheningof the main tunnel was achieved by adding new segments rather than byexcavating longer segments. Both male and female burrows showed the same geometric configuration.There were no differences in the percentages estimated for main tunnel, branches and laterals. The an-gular variables (directionalangle, branch angle and angle of ascent of laterals) did not show anydifferences between both sexes either. Burrows showed a constant heading along their path with meandirectional angles close to 0°, even though in most systems left- and right-ward deviations from themain tunnel followed a random sequence. Branches originated at right angles to the main tunnel.C. mendocinus appears to minimize the energy cost of burrowing by increasing the angle of ascent ofthe lateral instead of its length as the main tunnel grows deeper. Home range, perimeter, and linearitywere significantly higher in males