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Influence of predation risk and plant structure on vigilance and intermittent locomotion in Microcavia australis (Rodentia, Caviidae)

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze and compare vigilance behavior and intermittent locomotion at two sites (El Leoncito and Ñacuñán, Argentina) that differ in predation risk, plant structure, and plant resource availability. Subjects were lesser cavies (Microcavia australis), a social species that is semi-fossorial, diurnal, and native to South America. Continuous focal sampling was conducted during the day, at times of food shortage, food abundance, and reproduction from 2003 to 2005. The proportion of time spent vigilance was significantly higher at Ñacuñán, where vigilance peaked at midday and reached a minimum in the evening. This midday peak of vigilance at Ñacuñán was associated with a midday peak of danger from raptors as indicated by a raptor activity peak at that time. In contrast, both vigilance and predator activity at El Leoncito were constant through the day. Records of intermittent locomotion and number and duration of pauses in locomotion were significantly higher at El Leoncito, a difference that may have been due to the need for greater vigilance while moving across areas of less protective cover at this site.

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Acknowledgments

This study was partially financed by CONICET, PICT Nº 03281, and PIP 02884. The authors wish to express their thanks to M. C. González, N. Borruel, A.J. Sandobal, M. Martínez, and V. Bauni for their cooperation in the field. Thanks also to N. Horak for the English version of the manuscript and to Dr. R. Ojeda for his contributions in reviewing the manuscript and for the literature provided.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Grupo de Investigaciones de la Biodiversidad, Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de Zonas Áridas, CCT, CONICET, Av. Ruiz Leal s/n, Parque General San Martín, CC 507, CP 5500, Mendoza, Argentina

    Paula Taraborelli & Pablo Moreno

  2. Instituto y Museo de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Av. España 400 Norte, San Juan, Argentina, CP 5400

    Stella M. Giannoni

  3. Dendrocronología-IANIGLA-CCT, CONICET, Mendoza, Argentina, CP 5500

    Ana Srur

  4. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina, C1428EGA

    Carolina Carballido

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  1. Paula Taraborelli
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  2. Pablo Moreno
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  3. Ana Srur
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  4. Carolina Carballido
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  5. Stella M. Giannoni
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Correspondence to Paula Taraborelli.

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Taraborelli, P., Moreno, P., Srur, A. et al. Influence of predation risk and plant structure on vigilance and intermittent locomotion in Microcavia australis (Rodentia, Caviidae). acta ethol 14, 27–33 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10211-010-0087-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10211-010-0087-0

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