Distribution and use of burrows and tunnels ofChaetophractus villosus (Mammalia, Xenarthra) in the eastern Argentinean pampas

Abba, Agustín M.; Sauthier, Daniel Edgardo Udrizar; Vizcaı́no, Sergio F.

doi:10.1007/bf03192624

Cited by 33 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Studies performed by Abba et al (2005) in Buenos Aires province (Central Argentina), have demonstrated that C. villosus constructs simple and complex burrows; the first type is built by animals searching for food or as temporary shelters, whereas the complex ones, longer, are constructed as home burrows. Similar results were reported by Poljak et al (2007) in Isla Grande (Tierra del Fuego, Southern Argentina).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A geometric morphometric study of sex differences in the scapula, humerus and ulna of Chaetophractus villosus (Xenarthra, Dasypodidae)

Acuña

Sidorkewicj

Popp

et al. 2017

Iheringia, Sér. Zool.

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ABSTRACT. Sexual diff erences in some of the components of the pectoral girdle and forelimb of Chaetophractus villosus (Desmarest, 1804) were investigated by means of geometric morphometrics. A total of 15 scapulae (7 males, 8 females) and 50 humeri-ulnae complexes (24 males, 26 females) were examined. No size diff erences were detected between sexes for any of the bones, but shape diff erences were found for the humerus and the ulna that enhance the in-forces or the related in-levers. Females had a more robust humerus, with an enlarged deltoid tuberosity, a more spherical head, higher tubercular and epicondylar widths, and more developed supracondylar crests. The ulna of the females was characterised by a more pronounced curvature along its main axis, a caudal displacement of the lateral fossa, a longer olecranon, and a deeper trochlear notch. For both bones, the discriminant analysis classifi ed correctly all the specimens according to their sex. A small percentage of the variance (5.2% for the humerus; 6.8% for the ulna) was explained by allometry. The morphological traits found for the humerus and ulna of the females suggest an increased structural strength that could result in powerful digging strokes while keeping shoulder and elbow stabilisation, suggesting a fossorial advantage over males.KEYWORDS. Large hairy armadillo, fossorial mammals, shape-based dimorphism, appendicular skeleton.RESUMEN. Estudio del dimorfi smo sexual en la escápula, húmero y ulna de Chaetophractus villosus (Xenarthra, Dasypodidae) mediante técnicas de morfometría geométrica. Se investigaron las diferencias sexuales en algunos de los elementos de la cintura escapular y del miembro anterior de Chaetophractus villosus (Desmarest, 1804) utilizando técnicas de morfometría geométrica. La muestra estuvo constituida por 15 escápulas (7 machos, 8 hembras) y 50 complejos húmero-ulna (24 machos, 26 hembras). No se detectaron diferencias de tamaño entre sexos para ninguno de los tres huesos. Sin embargo, se observaron diferencias de forma para el húmero y la ulna, con mayor desarrollo en las hembras de estructuras que favorecen el incremento de fuerzas internas o de las palancas internas relacionadas. En ellas, el húmero se caracterizó por una morfología general más robusta, con mayor desarrollo de la tuberosidad deltoidea, cabeza más esférica, mayores anchos intertubercular y epicondilar, y mayor desarrollo de las crestas supracondilares. Para la ulna se observó una curvatura más pronunciada a lo largo de su eje mayor, desplazamiento de la fosa lateral hacia caudal, olecranon de mayor desarrollo, e incisura troclear más profunda. Para ambos huesos, el análisis discriminante clasifi có correctamente al total de los ejemplares de acuerdo al sexo. Un pequeño porcentaje de la varianza (5,2% para el húmero; 6,8% para la ulna) se debió a efectos alométricos. Las características morfológicas del húmero y la ulna de las hembras sugieren una ventaja fosorial sobre los machos, debido a una mayor fuerza estructural durante los movimientos involucrados...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A geometric morphometric study of sex differences in the scapula, humerus and ulna of Chaetophractus villosus (Xenarthra, Dasypodidae)

Acuña

Sidorkewicj

Popp

et al. 2017

Iheringia, Sér. Zool.

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“…This armadillo is considered a powerful and fast digger owing to the long sharp claws on its forefeet and back feet, which are well adapted for this activity (Vizcaíno & Milne, 2002). It builds characteristic burrows that allow to easily identify the species (Abba et al, 2005). These burrows have elliptical 15-to 20-cm-wide entrances, where the deposits removed during digging accumulate, creating mounds.…”

Section: Chaetophractus Villosus: Characteristics Distribution and Bmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chaetophractus villosus: A Disturbing Agent for Archaeological Contexts

Frontini

Escosteguy

2011

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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Chaetophractus villosus (Dasypodidae), a medium-sized armadillo with burrowing habits, is one of the natural agents whose activities play a major role in archaeological deposit disturbance in the Pampean Region in Argentina. This paper presents the results of a comparative analysis between the archaeological materials collected from 32 currently active burrows and the remains collected in the sedimentary matrix identified as burrow filling during excavations of El Guanaco Site 1, Sector 1. As a general tendency, it was possible to establish that C. villosus removes both lithic and faunal materials that are 3 cm long or less. As an exception, materials up to 7 cm long are displaced. The distribution observed during the excavation of currently active burrows indicates that materials concentrate around the burrows' entrances.

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“…The same approach has been used to estimate the habitat use of numerous different species of burrowing animals (detailed description in Abba et al 2007). Two types of burrows were identified for the two species: complex structures or home burrows and simple structures or foraging holes (Abba et al 2005). Features that allowed discrimination of burrows between species were width and shape of the entrance, as well as direct observations of animals digging.…”

Section: Sign Surveymentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological differences between two sympatric species of armadillos (Xenarthra, Mammalia) in a temperate region of Argentina

Abba

Cassini

2010

Acta Theriol

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Structural and functional foraging specializations that enhance the ability to use certain food types, may also entail costs of being less efficient in exploiting other food resources (Darwin 1859). Foraging specialization not only affects daily food composition but other behavioural [35] Acta Theriologica 55 (1): 35-44, 2010. Abba A. M. and Cassini M. H. 2010. Ecological differences between two sympatric species of armadillos (Xenarthra, Mammalia) in a temperate region of Argentina. Acta Theriologica 55: 35-44.Morpho-physiological specialization related to foraging can act as constraints on behaviour and ecological patterns of abundance and distribution. We tested this prediction in two species (weeping or screaming hairy armadillos Chaetophractus vellerosus Gray, 1865 and mulitas Dasypus hybridus Desmarest, 1804) that represent the two subfamilies of armadillos (Dasypodidae, Xenarthra): Euphractinae and Dasypodinae. The first subfamily possesses a well-developed masticatory apparatus that is considered primitive within the Xenarthra, while Dasypodinae show reductions in various aspects of cranial morphology. We sampled signs (burrows and foraging holes) and captured both species on 34 farms randomly selected in the north-eastern Pampas region of Argentina. We analyzed several niche dimensions. The two species showed significant differences in habitat use, seasonal patterns and diet. Weeping armadillos were generalists in their diet and active throughout the year. They were associated with calcareous-sand soil, as expected for a burrowing animal of the deserts. They tolerated a wide range of environmental conditions. We found that mulitas are myrmecophagous, and that they demonstrated a reduction in body temperature and activity during the cold season. As expected from their geographical distribution, mulitas used mainly vegetation with high cover and were associated with humic soils. Niche segregation between the two species of armadillos appeared to originate from different degrees of dietary specialization.

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Distribution and use of burrows and tunnels ofChaetophractus villosus (Mammalia, Xenarthra) in the eastern Argentinean pampas

Cited by 33 publications

References 9 publications

A geometric morphometric study of sex differences in the scapula, humerus and ulna of Chaetophractus villosus (Xenarthra, Dasypodidae)

A geometric morphometric study of sex differences in the scapula, humerus and ulna of Chaetophractus villosus (Xenarthra, Dasypodidae)

Chaetophractus villosus: A Disturbing Agent for Archaeological Contexts

Ecological differences between two sympatric species of armadillos (Xenarthra, Mammalia) in a temperate region of Argentina

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