Nest and space use in a highland population of the southern mountain cavy (<i>Microcavia australis</i>)

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dc.contributor.authorEbensperger, Luis A.
dc.contributor.authorTaraborelli, Paula
dc.contributor.authorGiannoni, Stella M.
dc.contributor.authorHurtado, Maria Jos
dc.contributor.authorLeon, Cecilia
dc.contributor.authorBozinovic, Francisco
dc.date.accessioned2025-01-21T01:05:53Z
dc.date.available2025-01-21T01:05:53Z
dc.date.issued2006
dc.description.abstractWe examined the spatial and social structure of a high-altitude population of the scarcely known southern mountain cavy (Microcavia australis) in Argentina. We used radiotelemetry techniques to monitor nest use at night and daily home ranges and examine whether southern mountain cavies form nesting associations that are socially cohesive groups. We further timed our observations to breeding time of our study population (September-November) to assess opportunities for communal breeding. The nighttime telemetry of 24 radiotagged cavies revealed 7 nesting associations (i.e., communal nesting). These included 1-4 breeding females and I or 2 breeding males. Nesting associations were stable in terms of identity of individual members and in the location of putative nest sites. Most associations used a single nest site, but some shared 2 or 3. We noted that all nest sites were located under dominant shrubs, but use of nest sites was unrelated to variation in shrub cover. Nest sites with more burrow entrances were more frequently used by radiocollared cavies. During the day, home ranges of cavies overlapped more with ranges of nest mates than with those of non-nest mates, implying that nesting groups were socially cohesive units. This study confirmed that southern mountain cavies are communally nesting, and, because communal nesting occurs during breeding time, our findings support the idea that cavies engage in communal care of young.
dc.fuente.origenWOS
dc.identifier.issn0022-2372
dc.identifier.urihttps://repositorio.uc.cl/handle/11534/96039
dc.identifier.wosidWOS:000241569500002
dc.issue.numero5
dc.language.isoen
dc.pagina.final840
dc.pagina.inicio834
dc.revistaJournal of mammalogy
dc.rightsacceso restringido
dc.subjectcommunal nesting
dc.subjectgroup living
dc.subjecthome-range overlap
dc.subjecthome-range size
dc.subjectMicrocavia
dc.subjectnest site
dc.subjectnest use
dc.subjectsocial structure
dc.subjectsouthern mountain cavy
dc.subjectspace use
dc.subject.ods13 Climate Action
dc.subject.ods15 Life on Land
dc.subject.odspa13 Acción por el clima
dc.subject.odspa15 Vida de ecosistemas terrestres
dc.titleNest and space use in a highland population of the southern mountain cavy (<i>Microcavia australis</i>)
dc.typeartículo
dc.volumen87
sipa.indexWOS
sipa.trazabilidadWOS;2025-01-12
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