INVESTIGADORES
GIANNONI Stella Maris
artículos
Título:
Different antipredator responses by Microcavia australis (Rodentia, Hystricognate, Caviidae) under predation risk.
Autor/es:
TARABORELLI, P. A; MORENO, P.; SRUR, A.; SANDOBAL, A.J.; MARTINEZ, M.G.; GIANNONI, S.
Revista:
BEHAVIOUR
Editorial:
BRILL ACADEMIC PUBLISHERS
Referencias:
Año: 2008 vol. 145 p. 829 - 842
ISSN:
0005-7959
Resumen:
The antipredator response of rodents may depend on the species of predator and the structure
of the vegetation. To investigate these effects, we compared the antipredator response of
Microcavia australis to two predator models. We used two populations occurring at sites
of the Monte desert that differ in plant structure and availability, and in predation risk. At
Ñacuñán plant cover is 54.3%, the major risk of predation is from raptors. At El Leoncito
plant cover is 21.9%, the predation risk is similar by raptors and carnivores. In addition we
investigated whether olfactory cues for different predators may elicit different antipredator
responses in absence of visual cues. This was done by presenting feces of two predators and
controls in an experimental set-up. The exposed individuals reduced their activity in response
to feces of both predators and not in response to the control, but they did not respond in the
same way to each predator (their response to each predator was not the same). The results
show that M. australis recognizes different predators through both sight and smell, and that
the response may be influenced by vegetation structure.to two predator models. We used two populations occurring at sites
of the Monte desert that differ in plant structure and availability, and in predation risk. At
Ñacuñán plant cover is 54.3%, the major risk of predation is from raptors. At El Leoncito
plant cover is 21.9%, the predation risk is similar by raptors and carnivores. In addition we
investigated whether olfactory cues for different predators may elicit different antipredator
responses in absence of visual cues. This was done by presenting feces of two predators and
controls in an experimental set-up. The exposed individuals reduced their activity in response
to feces of both predators and not in response to the control, but they did not respond in the
same way to each predator (their response to each predator was not the same). The results
show that M. australis recognizes different predators through both sight and smell, and that
the response may be influenced by vegetation structure.M. australis recognizes different predators through both sight and smell, and that
the response may be influenced by vegetation structure.