ACTIVITY AND GROUP-LIVING IN THE PORTER'S ROCK RATS, ACONAEMYS PORTERI

MARÍA JOSÉ FRUGONE; LORETO CORREA; RAUL SOBRERO

MASTOZOOLOGí­A NEOTROPICAL

UNIDAD DE ZOOLOGÍA Y ECOLOGÍA ANIMAL, INSTITUTO ARGENTINO DE INVESTIGACIÓN DE LAS ZONAS ARIDAS, CRICYT, CONICET

Lugar: Mendoza; Año: 2019

0327-9383

We provide the first systematic data on behavior and ecology of Aconaemys porteri. We used telemetry to monitor patterns of activity, resting locations, and range areas. Rock rat movements were statistically similar during nighttime and daytime, implying no clear diurnal or nocturnal activity. Animals used from 2 to 9 putative resting locations, but one was used more frequently. Rock rats showed relatively smaller range areas and low-to-moderate spatial overlap with neighbors, compared to other rodent species. These results indicate that adult A. porteri exhibit an intermediate level of sociality, compared to other Octodontids.