Locomotion and Escape Modes in Rodents of the Monte Desert (Argentina)

Abstract

Modes of locomotion and escape tactics are attributes that affect the structure of animal communities, promoting exploitation of different microhabitats and the coexistence of different species. Bipedal locomotion is considered to be more effective than a quadrupedal gait in escaping attacks by predators because it allows for higher speed, a faster response to attack, sudden changes of direction and better detection of aerial raptors. The aim of this study was to determine the type of locomotion used at the moment of escape by three rodent species of the Monte desert –Eligmodontia typus, Akodon molinae and Graomys griseoflavus. The study was carried out in three plant communities of the Ñacuñán Reserve (Mendoza). All three species showed differences in both mode of escape and locomotory pattern. Graomys griseoflavus exhibited the highest proportion of escapes using quadrupedal saltation. The mode of locomotion employed by E. typus varied according to the type of plant communities it inhabited. Those occurring at open sites (Medanal community) exhibited a greater propensity to jump during escapes than those from more sheltered habitats (Algarrobal community). Akodon molinae relied primarily on a quadrupedal gait when fleeing from predators, which would explain its greater dependence on plant cover. Therefore, the morphological and behavioural characteristics of these species are related to their mode of locomotion and the strategies they employ to diminish the risk of predation.

Morphological Variation of the Forelimb and Claw in Neotropical Sigmodontine Rodents (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

“…Ecological categories of locomotory types were defined on the basis of the available literature and field observations (Table 1). Ambulatory: species that usually use the ground to move about and do not have specializations that facilitate or limit any particular activity; fossorial: species that regularly dig to build simple burrows as shelters, using mainly their forelimbs, and that live most of their lives below the surface; natatorial: species that regularly swim for dispersal, escape, or foraging, using the limbs as their primary means of propulsion; quadrupedal saltatorial: the forelimbs alternate with the hind legs in striking the ground simultaneously (Taraborelli et al 2003); scansorial: species that climb vertical surfaces by pulling their forefeet toward the substrate, while the hind feet push on the substrate.…”

“…Calomys callosus Rivas et al (2010) Calomys musculinus Corbalán and Debandi (2009) Calomys tener Mares et al (1986) Graomys griseoflavus Hershkovitz (1962) Phyllotis osilae Hershkovitz (1962) Phyllotis xanthopygus Hershkovitz (1962) Reithrodon auritus Pardiñas et al (2008) Rattus rattus Samuels and Van Valkenburgh (2008) Eligmodontia puerulus Hershkovitz (1962) Eligmodontia typus Taraborelli et al (2003) Quadrupedal saltatorial Oligoryzomys brendae Weksler (2006) Oligoryzomys chacoensis Myers and Carleton (1981) Oligoryzomys delticola Miller and Anderson (1977) Scansorial…”

Influence of predation risk and plant structure on vigilance and intermittent locomotion in Microcavia australis (Rodentia, Caviidae)

“…Vigilance is a behavior that enhances the likelihood that an animal will detect a given stimulus at a given time (Dimond and Lazarus 1974). Another antipredator behavior is the mode of locomotion employed by rodents, which plays a vital role in determining their ability to elude predators (Thompson 1985;Djawdan and Garland 1988;Taraborelli et al 2003a). The structural complexity of the habitat may affect movement behavior by: (1) physically impeding locomotion (Schooley et al 1996), (2) making movement more conspicuous and thus riskier (Brillhart and Kaufman 1991;Borruel et al unpublished data), (3) providing a higher density of resources, hence favoring lower speeds so that resource opportunities are not missed (Brownsmith 1977), (4) increasing protection against predators through hiding cover (Thompson 1982;Taraborelli et al 2003b), (5) increasing visual obstruction, thus reducing the ability to detect predators (Schooley et al 1996;Ebensperger and Hurtado 2005).…”

Spatial Association of Shrubs and Their Interrelation to Burrowing Site Preference of Subterranean Rodents on Dune Slope in the Otindag Sandy Land, China

“…As a protégé species, this preference for burrowing site selection was apparently to avoid the negative impact of rainfall and runoff from upslope on burrowing site and even underground holes [99,100], and to avoid higher surface temperature for rodents in the hot summers [101,102]. This preference will also provide more hidden sites for rodents to reduce predation risk [103,104]. Obviously, a typical nurse-protégé interaction between shrubs and rodents was formed in the alternative stable community.…”