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Density-dependent habitat selection between maize cropfields and their borders in two rodent species (Akodon azarae and Calomys laucha) of Pampean agroecosystems

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Abstract

We studied habitat preferences and intra and interspecific density-dependent effects on habitat selection by Akodon azarae and Calomys laucha between maize fields and their adjacent borders, during different developmental stages of the crop. Akodon azarae detected quantitative differences between habitats, using preferentially borders throughout the year, while C. laucha perceived borders and cropfields as quantitatively similar during spring and summer and it detected borders as quantitatively better at the high density period (autumn and winter). These results support the prediction of differential habitat preferences as a model of community organisation at the low density period, while they are consistent with shared habitat preferences during autumn and winter when both species apparently coexist in the better habitat (border). Akodon azarae showed intraspecific density-dependent habitat selection throughout the year, except in spring, while habitat selection by C. laucha was density-dependent in spring, autumn and winter. The effect of interspecific density on habitat selection was detected in both habitats and changed seasonally. The effect of A. azarae over C. laucha by resources exploitation was detected in borders, while competitive effects of C. laucha over A. azarae was observed within cropfields. Both species were more affected by exploitation competition than interference, which was more common in borders than in maize fields. We conclude that seasonally have a profound effect in habitat selection of these species because it changes the intensity of intra and interspecific competition and affects different habitat preferences and basic suitability of habitats.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pab. II, 4° Piso, (C1428EHA), Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Karina Hodara, María Busch & Fernando O. Kravetz

  2. Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, CC 1245 (7600), Mar del Plata, Argentina

    Marcelo J. Kittlein

  3. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Argentina

    María Busch & Fernando O. Kravetz

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  1. Karina Hodara
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  2. María Busch
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  3. Marcelo J. Kittlein
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  4. Fernando O. Kravetz
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Hodara, K., Busch, M., Kittlein, M.J. et al. Density-dependent habitat selection between maize cropfields and their borders in two rodent species (Akodon azarae and Calomys laucha) of Pampean agroecosystems. Evolutionary Ecology 14, 571–593 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010823128530

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