Reactions to disturbances in the context of antipredatory behaviour in a solitary subterranean rodent |
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Authors: | Jan ?klíba Radim ?umbera Wilbert Newton Chitaukali |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic;(2) Biology Department, Chancellor College, University of Malawi, P.O. Box 280, Zomba, Malawi (WNC) |
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Abstract: | We investigated reactions of free-living silvery mole-rats (Heliophobius argenteocinereus) to anthropogenic disturbances. Mole-rats detected soil vibrations caused by man carefully walking at a distance of up to
6 m (proved by radio-telemetry). Occasionally, mole-rats encountered outside a nest retreated there after this type of disturbance.
After having their burrows broken into, the mole-rats retreated into deep tunnels, separating themselves from the rest of
the burrows by soil plugs. Trapping success of silvery mole-rats using live traps for subterranean rodents was low, which
contrasts with data so far published on social bathyergids. Antipredatory function of examined behaviours is discussed. |
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Keywords: | Antipredatory behaviour Bathyergidae Heliophobius Seismic cues Subterranean rodent |
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