Differential use of the burrow system entrances by a gregarious Caviomorph (Lagostomus maximus)

CONTARDE, C. B.; KEMBRO, J.M.; GUZMÁN, D. A.

Modalidad Virtual

Congreso; ABS 2021 VIRTUAL MEETING; 2021

Animal Behavior Society

The vizcacha is a nocturnal, large size, herbivore Caviomorph rodent. It lives in mixed-aged and gender social groups who share a burrow system with multiple entrances. The vizcacha is also a colonial species, with only a partial overlap of the territories between neighboring groups. The burrow`s entrances (BE) and its close surrounding area are actively defended by all members, and it is also the above-ground place where most of the affiliative and comfort behaviors are expressed. It has been reported that each burrow system is interconnected and all family members are allowed to use all BE, however, little is known about differential BE use between group members. To address this topic all BE from 8 random social groups of a colony were characterized, geo-localized and monitored using camera traps. Results (3849 videos analyzed) showed that some BE are more frequently used than others and among them some are differentially used by younger individuals. A positive correlation between preferred BE by juvenile and BE height was also observed. These results could reflect specific anti-predatory strategies and/or differential use of the underground system according to age or hierarchy.