Locomotion and Escape Modes in Rodents of the Monte Desert (Argentina

TARABORELLI, P.; CARBALAN VALERIA; GIANNONI STELLA

ETHOLOGY

Blackwell Verlag, Berlin

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2003 vol. 109 p. 475 - 485

0179-1613

Modes of locomotion and escape tactics are attributes that affect thestructure of animal communities, promoting exploitation of different microhabitatsand the coexistence of different species.Bi pedal locomotion is considered tobe more effective than a quadrupedal gait in escaping attacks by predatorsbecause it allows for higher speed, a faster response to attack, sudden changes ofdirection and better detection of aerial raptors.The aim of this study was todetermine the type of locomotion used at the moment of escape by three rodentspecies of the Monte desert – Eligmodontia typus, Akodon molinae and Graomysgriseoflavus.The study was carried out in three plant communities of theN˜ acun˜ a´ nReserve (Mendoza).All three species showed differences in both mode of escapeand locomotory pattern. Graomys griseoflavus exhibited the highest proportion ofescapes using quadrupedal saltation.The mode of locomotion employed byE. typus varied according to the type of plant communities it inhabited.Thos eoccurring at open sites (Medanal community) exhibited a greater propensity tojump during escapes than those from more sheltered habitats (Algarrobalcommunity). Akodon molinae relied primarily on a quadrupedal gait when fleeingfrom predators, which would explain its greater dependence on plant cover.Therefore, the morphological and behavioural characteristics of these species arerelated to their mode of locomotion and the strategies they employ to diminish therisk of predation.