CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

Microcavia australis is a social species, semi-fossorial, diurnal and native to South America. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare vigilance behavior and intermittent locomotion in the lesser cavy in two populations inhabiting two sites (El Leoncito and Ñacuñán) that differ in predation risk, plant structure and plant resource availability. Continuous focal samplings were conducted during the day, at times of food shortage, food abundance and reproduction, from 2003-2005. Duration of the vigilance behavior was significantly higher at Ñacuñán; the vigilance peak was at midday whereas vigilance declined in the evening, this is related to a higher risk of predation and the period of activity of predators. Vigilance at El Leoncito was constant along the day, and predation risk was constant throughout the day too. Records of intermittent locomotion and number and duration of pauses in intermittent locomotion were significantly higher at El Leoncito, which would be related to the presence of wider open areas and movements of individuals among burrows, playing an antipredator role that would increase efficiency in predator detection.