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Aspects of the burrowing ecology of nine-banded armadillos in northern Belize

Aspekte der Bauökologie von Neunbinden-Gürteltieren in Nordbelize

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Abstract

We studied the density, physical attributes, and commensal fauna of nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) burrows in northern Belize. One hundred and five burrows were found in pine forest (n = 74) and savanna (n = 31). Mean burrow density was significantly greater in pine forest (27.0 burrows/ha) than in savanna (5.8 burrows/ha). There were no significant differences in mean burrow entrance dimensions (height and width) between pine forest and savanna. Burrow entrance dimensions in northern Belize were smaller than those in temperate North America. Air and burrow temperatures were positively correlated. Burrow temperatures were significantly less than air temperatures suggesting burrows are important refugia from high dry season temperatures. Burrow orientation did not differ significantly from uniformity in either habitat; however, a southern orientation was notably rare among savanna burrows. Seven species of commensal fauna were found in armadillo burrows.

Zusammenfassung

Wir studierten Dichte, physikalische Attribute und kommensale Fauna von Bauen des Neunbinden-Gürteltieres (Dasypus novemcinctus) in Nordbelize. Einhundertundfünf Baue wurden im Kieferwald (n = 74) und in der Savanne (n = 31) gefunden. Die mittlere Dichte der Baue war erheblich größer im Kieferwald (27,0 Baue/ha) als in der Savanne (5,8 Baue/ha). Es gab keine bedeutenden Unterschiede in den mittleren Ausmaßen der Baueingänge (Höhe und Breite) zwischen Kieferwald und Savanne. Die Baue in Nordbelize waren kleiner als solche im gemäßigten Nordamerika. Luft- und Bautemperaturen korrelierten positiv miteinander. Temperaturen in den Bauen waren erheblich geringer als außerhalb. Dies läßt die Vermutung zu, daß Baue als wichtige Zufluchtsorte vor hohen Temperaturen der trockenen Jahreszeit dienen. Die Orientierung der Baue unterschied sich nicht erheblich von der Uniformität in dem jeweiligen Lebensraum. Eine südliche Orientierung der Baue war jedoch in der Savanne eher selten. Sieben Arten kommensaler Fauna wurden gefunden.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx, New York, 10460-1099, USA

    Steven G. Platt

  2. The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Box 41163, Lubbock, Texas, 79409-1163, USA

    Thomas R. Rainwater

  3. 774 Fort Sumter Dr., Charleston, South Carolina, 29412-4228, USA

    Steven W. Brewer

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  1. Steven G. Platt
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  2. Thomas R. Rainwater
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  3. Steven W. Brewer
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Correspondence to Steven G. Platt.

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Platt, S.G., Rainwater, T.R. & Brewer, S.W. Aspects of the burrowing ecology of nine-banded armadillos in northern Belize. Mamm Biol 69, 217–224 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1078/1616-5047-00138

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