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Giora Heth - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Burrow patterns of the mole rat Spalax ehrenbergi in two soil types (terra‐rossa and rendzina) in Mount Carmel, Israel
Journal of Zoology, 2009Co-Authors: Giora HethAbstract:Complete burrow systems of the mole rat Spalax ehrenbergi (Rodentia; Spalacidae), from two sites on Mount Carmel in Israel, with different soil types (terra-rossa and rendzina), were excavated and described here for the first time. A comparison was made of burrow structure patterns in the two soils and of the sexes, with special attention to the features of the feeding tunnels. The pattern in the rendzina revealed longer Burrows with a longer main tunnel and fewer branches per metre of the main tunnel, while the pattern in the terra-rossa revealed shorter Burrows with a shorter main tunnel and a relatively higher number of branches. These differences can primarily be related to the different levels of food availability, which is higher in the terra-rossa. It is suggested that each of the patterns reflects the mole rat's ability to optimize foraging efficiency in accordance with its given food availability. The average total length of the males' Burrows was much greater than those of the females' Burrows in the rendzina soil. It appears that food requirements determine different burrow features of the sexes rather than reproduction requirements. Other tunnel features (e.g. structural complexity, depth and width, segment length and spatial arrangement) and the factors which may affect them, as well as burrow structure of young mole rats and evidence of the underground dispersion of young mole rats, were presented and discussed. Many similarities were found in a comparison of S. ehrenbergi burrow features with those of other solitary subterranean rodents.
Yvan Capowiez - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Morphological and functional characterisation of the burrow systems of six earthworm species (Lumbricidae)
Biology and Fertility of Soils, 2015Co-Authors: Yvan Capowiez, Eric Michel, Nicolas Bottinelli, Stéphane Sammartino, Pascal JouquetAbstract:Earthworm burrow systems are generally described based on postulated behaviours associated with the three ecological types. In this study, we used X-ray tomography to obtain 3D information on the burrowing behaviour of six very common anecic (Aporrectodea nocturna and Lumbricus terrestris) and endogeic (Aporrectodea rosea, Allolobophora chlorotica, Aporrectodea caliginosa, Aporrectodea icterica) earthworm species, introduced into repacked soil cores for 6 weeks. A simple water infiltration test, the Beerkan method, was also used to assess some functional properties of these burrow systems. Endogeic worms make larger burrow systems, which are more highly branched, less continuous and of smaller diameter, than those of anecic worms. Among the anecic species, L. terrestris burrow systems are shorter (9.2 vs 21.2 m) with a higher number (14.5 vs 23.5) of less branched Burrows (12.2 vs 20.2 branches m(-1)), which are also wider (7.78 vs 5.16 mm) than those of A. nocturna. In comparison, the burrow systems made by endogeic species appeared similar to each other. However, A. rosea Burrows were short and narrow, whereas A. icterica had a longer burrow system (15.7 m), more intense bioturbation intensity (refilled macropores or soil lateral compaction around them) and thus a greater number of Burrows. Regarding water infiltration, anecic burrow systems were far more efficient due to open Burrows linking the top and bottom of the cores. For endogeic species, we observed a linear relationship between burrow length and the water infiltration rate (R (2) = 0.49, p < 0.01). Overall, the three main characteristics significantly influencing water infiltration were burrow length, burrow number and bioturbation volume. This last characteristic highlighted the effect of burrow refilling by casts
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Burrow systems of endogeic earthworms: Effects of earthworm abundance and consequences for soil water infiltration
Pedobiologia, 2014Co-Authors: Yvan Capowiez, St Ephane Sammartino, Eric MichelAbstract:By creating Burrows, earthworms influence the transfer properties of soils. The effects of endogeic species on soil transfer properties, however, are not yet well understood because these earthworms generally create Burrows that are refilled by casts and have no preferential vertical orientation. Thirty soil cores were incubated for various periods (1–3 or 4 weeks) at different earthworm densities (70, 210, 345 or 480 individuals m −2). The cores were then scanned using X-ray tomography and the burrow systems were characterised by measuring the total burrow volume, bioturbation volume (refilled Burrows and lateral compaction around the Burrows), the number of branches, tortuosity and continuity (assessed by computing the number of Burrows with a vertical extension greater than 15, 20 and 25% of the core). We also computed the mean geodesic distance, i.e. the mean distance from the bottom to the top of the core assuming that distances inside Burrows are null. Rainfall simulations were carried out on 17 cores chosen to encompass the variations observed in the burrow systems. The water transfer efficiency of each core was estimated by measuring two parameters: breakthrough volume and the percentage of water transmitted after 1 h of rain. Burrow and bioturbation volume increased significantly and steadily with time and earthworm density. We estimated that on average Allolobophora chlorotica burrowed 22 cm per week. All other burrow system characteristics also increased with time and earthworm density except the mean geodesic distance, which decreased significantly. This suggests that intraspecific interactions had no significant effect on burrow system geometry. Univariate PLS regressions were used to understand which burrow system characteristics had the strongest influence on water transfer. These regressions showed that the mean geodesic distance was the most important parameter. This means that in addition to individual burrow characteristics, the spatial arrangement of the whole burrow system also had a major effect on transfer properties.
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using x ray tomography to quantify earthworm bioturbation non destructively in repacked soil cores
Geoderma, 2011Co-Authors: Yvan Capowiez, Stéphane Sammartino, Eric MichelAbstract:X-ray tomography is used increasingly to study the macroporosity resulting from earthworm activity. However, macropores are not the only features visible on the images; other zones resulting from bioturbation by earthworms can be detected due to differences in greylevels. Four different soil cores were incubated with two earthworm species at two different densities (4 or 8 adults of the endogeic species Allolobophora chlorotica or 2 or 4 adults of the anecic species Aporrectodea nocturna). A fifth core without earthworms was used as a control. After six weeks, the cores were analysed by X-ray tomography using a medical scanner. The 3D earthworm burrow systems were reconstructed and a new and specific algorithm was used to determine other bioturbated zones (BZ) that were physically influenced by the earthworms. Expected differences in the structure of the burrow systems between the endogeic and anecic species were observed: the A. chlorotica Burrows were narrower and more numerous, more branched and less vertical. When the earthworm density doubled, the volume and length of the A. chlorotica burrow system increased whereas no increase was observed for A. nocturna. The BZ, which were located in the upper section of the cores, represented almost the same volume as the macropores. These zones tended to be located further from the Burrows in the A. chlorotica cores: 50% of the voxels corresponding to BZ were at a distance greater than 4 and 5.5 mm from the closest macropore for A. nocturna and A. chlorotica, respectively. Three processes may have contributed to form these zones, which are characterised by increased soil density: (i) soil compaction around the Burrows during burrow creation, (ii) cast deposition in the Burrows (burrow backfilling) and (iii) crushing of casts on the burrow walls (so called cutanes). The longer distance between BZ and macropores in A. chlorotica cores suggests that the proportion of burrow backfilling is higher for the endogeic species compared to the anecic species. If we assume that BZ located further than 10 mm from any burrow are actually Burrows backfilled with casts, the volume of burrow backfilled in our study ranged from 14 to 18% for A. chlorotica and from to 8 to 10% for A. nocturna.
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x ray tomographic and hydraulic characterization of burrowing by three earthworm species in repacked soil cores
Applied Soil Ecology, 2003Co-Authors: Francois Bastardie, Yvan Capowiez, J R De Dreuzy, Daniel CluzeauAbstract:To test the assumption that different earthworm species make differently-structured burrow systems that can affect water permeability, the burrow systems made by adults of three earthworms species (Lumbricus terrestris, Nicodrilus giardi and Octalasion lacteum) were studied in repacked soil cores (20 cm diameter by 40 cm high) under controlled conditions of temperature and humidity. Five core were used for each species and one adult earthworm was incubated per soil core over 21 days. Three-dimensional reconstruction (skeletons and volumetric images) of the burrow systems was performed and characterized after computer analysis of the 2D-slices from X-rays tomography. Total burrow length, number of Burrows, branching rate, connectivity, burrow continuity, mean verticality and mean sinuosity of the Burrows were measured from the skeletons. Differences were found between species in burrow characteristics: only one vertical and continuous burrow with large diameter for L. terrestris; long and complex burrow systems with branching Burrows for N. giardi and O. lacteum. Moreover, 3D volume reconstruction of burrow systems enabled determination of the total volume, the distributed burrow volume as a function of depth and, using the tools of mathematical morphology, the pore size distribution of Burrows. Results showed that the burrow volume of N. giardi was the highest; the three species had a unimodal pore size distribution centered on 8, 7 and 5 mm in diameter for L. terrestris, N. giardi and O. lacteum, respectively. Saturated hydraulic permeability was measured for each core and predicted using a water flow model. Significant differences between species were found, the burrow systems made by N. giardi being the most efficient for water flow. Differences in hydraulic properties between species resulted mainly from the difference in burrow continuity, the presence of openings at the soil surface and the burrow depth penetration. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Characterisation of the three-dimensional structure of earthworm burrow systems using image analysis and mathematical morphology
Biology and Fertility of Soils, 2003Co-Authors: Yvan Capowiez, Alain Pierret, Christopher J. MoranAbstract:The aim of this work was to exemplify the specific contribution of both two- and three-dimensional (3D) X-ray computed tomography to characterise earthworm burrow systems. To achieve this purpose we used 3D mathematical morphology operators to characterise burrow systems resulting from the activity of an anecic ( Aporrectodea nocturna ), and an endogeic species ( Allolobophora chlorotica ), when both species were introduced either separately or together into artificial soil cores. Images of these soil cores were obtained using a medical X-ray tomography scanner. Three-dimensional reconstructions of burrow systems were obtained using a specifically developed segmentation algorithm. To study the differences between burrow systems, a set of classical tools of mathematical morphology (granulometries) were used. So-called granulometries based on different structuring elements clearly separated the different burrow systems. They enabled us to show that Burrows made by the anecic species were fatter, longer, more vertical, more continuous but less sinuous than Burrows of the endogeic species. The granulometry transform of the soil matrix showed that Burrows made by A. nocturna were more evenly distributed than those of A. chlorotica . Although a good discrimination was possible when only one species was introduced into the soil cores, it was not possible to separate Burrows of the two species from each other in cases where species were introduced into the same soil core. This limitation, partly due to the insufficient spatial resolution of the medical scanner, precluded the use of the morphological operators to study putative interactions between the two species
S Bhupathy - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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golden jackal s underground shelters natal site selection seasonal burrowing activity and pup rearing by a cathemeral canid
Mammal Research, 2018Co-Authors: Aditi Mukherjee, Honnavalli Nagaraj Kumara, S BhupathyAbstract:Availability and use of a natal burrow site is a prerequisite for survival, propagation, and breeding success for many burrow-dependent species. Among mammals, canids typically use existing Burrows of other animals during the breeding season. The study describes the factors influencing the golden jackal (Canis aureus) in selecting appropriate Burrows in Keoladeo National Park (KNP), India, including a description of site-specific habitat characteristics, microhabitat conditions, and the burrow-specific activities. Jackals had occupied 11 of the 47 recorded Burrows and had chosen the area with more wood cover. The occupied Burrows were found active throughout the day. The mean detections per day were significantly highest in the month of May for “rearing pups.” The nocturnal activity was associated with the lunar phase, with a significant peak between the “third quarter” to “new moon” phase. The intensity of the activity of adults and pups were analyzed across 6 weeks (April–May), wherein feeding, grooming, playing, and guarding significantly occurred between fourth and sixth weeks. The pups suckled every 8 h, and at about 3 weeks old, regurgitated food also became part of their diet. Jackal pups and adults spent an average of 103.60 and 36.13 min per day playing and guarding the Burrows, respectively. Increased temperature with the day’s progression significantly reduced jackal’s activities and they retreated around 1200 h. Guarding of the Burrows by adults significantly increased during night hours (0030–0500 h), when the pups are more susceptible to predation. Both the sexes participated in parental care activities, taking turns to guard the burrow, grooming, and playing with the pups. The study thus provides insights on the golden jackal’s natal site selection, observances, and use of sub-surface earthen refuges in semi-arid condition.
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Golden jackal’s underground shelters: natal site selection, seasonal burrowing activity and pup rearing by a cathemeral canid
Mammal Research, 2018Co-Authors: Aditi Mukherjee, Honnavalli Nagaraj Kumara, S BhupathyAbstract:Availability and use of a natal burrow site is a prerequisite for survival, propagation, and breeding success for many burrow-dependent species. Among mammals, canids typically use existing Burrows of other animals during the breeding season. The study describes the factors influencing the golden jackal (Canis aureus) in selecting appropriate Burrows in Keoladeo National Park (KNP), India, including a description of site-specific habitat characteristics, microhabitat conditions, and the burrow-specific activities. Jackals had occupied 11 of the 47 recorded Burrows and had chosen the area with more wood cover. The occupied Burrows were found active throughout the day. The mean detections per day were significantly highest in the month of May for “rearing pups.” The nocturnal activity was associated with the lunar phase, with a significant peak between the “third quarter” to “new moon” phase. The intensity of the activity of adults and pups were analyzed across 6 weeks (April–May), wherein feeding, grooming, playing, and guarding significantly occurred between fourth and sixth weeks. The pups suckled every 8 h, and at about 3 weeks old, regurgitated food also became part of their diet. Jackal pups and adults spent an average of 103.60 and 36.13 min per day playing and guarding the Burrows, respectively. Increased temperature with the day’s progression significantly reduced jackal’s activities and they retreated around 1200 h. Guarding of the Burrows by adults significantly increased during night hours (0030–0500 h), when the pups are more susceptible to predation. Both the sexes participated in parental care activities, taking turns to guard the burrow, grooming, and playing with the pups. The study thus provides insights on the golden jackal’s natal site selection, observances, and use of sub-surface earthen refuges in semi-arid condition.
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Burrow characteristics and its importance in occupancy of burrow dwelling vertebrates in Semiarid area of Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan, India
Journal of Arid Environments, 2017Co-Authors: Aditi Mukherjee, Honnavalli Nagaraj Kumara, Rajan Pilakandy, Shirish S. Manchi, S BhupathyAbstract:Abstract Burrows are engineered shelters providing crucial refuge and protection against temperature extremes, fire and predation. Understanding the ecological role of them in terms of providing habitats to other animals is very significant. Burrowing animal assemblages occur in almost all landscapes, particularly in arid and semi-arid habitats. The present work was carried out to understand external and internal burrow features and to identify the factors determining the animal assemblage. A total of 44 burrow systems were located in Keoladeo National Park, India. External burrow characteristics such as: number of openings, inter-opening distances, size and opening orientation were collected. The internal architecture (n = 9) of the burrow systems was studied using a burrow video camera. The internal characteristics such as: dimensions of tunnels and chambers, total length, number of branches, and distance between chambers were collected. Degree of convolution and Reichman's index were used to determine the complexity and linearity. Camera traps and a burrow video camera were used to determine the presence of animals dwelling inside. The burrow systems had a looping structure with a mean total length of 13.33 ± 6.51 m. Burrow systems were co-occupied by four vertebrate species; Indian crested porcupine, golden jackal, leaf-nosed bat and Indian rock python. All the animals except porcupines, were observed to occupy Burrows based on specific burrow characters, wherein jackals occupied Burrows with larger chambers, pythons occurred in smaller compact chambers and bats occupied Burrows with fewer branching and openings. The occupancy of Indian crested porcupine and gecko did not show any significant correlation with burrow characters. Occupancy of jackal was positively correlated (r = 0.72, P
Aditi Mukherjee - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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golden jackal s underground shelters natal site selection seasonal burrowing activity and pup rearing by a cathemeral canid
Mammal Research, 2018Co-Authors: Aditi Mukherjee, Honnavalli Nagaraj Kumara, S BhupathyAbstract:Availability and use of a natal burrow site is a prerequisite for survival, propagation, and breeding success for many burrow-dependent species. Among mammals, canids typically use existing Burrows of other animals during the breeding season. The study describes the factors influencing the golden jackal (Canis aureus) in selecting appropriate Burrows in Keoladeo National Park (KNP), India, including a description of site-specific habitat characteristics, microhabitat conditions, and the burrow-specific activities. Jackals had occupied 11 of the 47 recorded Burrows and had chosen the area with more wood cover. The occupied Burrows were found active throughout the day. The mean detections per day were significantly highest in the month of May for “rearing pups.” The nocturnal activity was associated with the lunar phase, with a significant peak between the “third quarter” to “new moon” phase. The intensity of the activity of adults and pups were analyzed across 6 weeks (April–May), wherein feeding, grooming, playing, and guarding significantly occurred between fourth and sixth weeks. The pups suckled every 8 h, and at about 3 weeks old, regurgitated food also became part of their diet. Jackal pups and adults spent an average of 103.60 and 36.13 min per day playing and guarding the Burrows, respectively. Increased temperature with the day’s progression significantly reduced jackal’s activities and they retreated around 1200 h. Guarding of the Burrows by adults significantly increased during night hours (0030–0500 h), when the pups are more susceptible to predation. Both the sexes participated in parental care activities, taking turns to guard the burrow, grooming, and playing with the pups. The study thus provides insights on the golden jackal’s natal site selection, observances, and use of sub-surface earthen refuges in semi-arid condition.
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Golden jackal’s underground shelters: natal site selection, seasonal burrowing activity and pup rearing by a cathemeral canid
Mammal Research, 2018Co-Authors: Aditi Mukherjee, Honnavalli Nagaraj Kumara, S BhupathyAbstract:Availability and use of a natal burrow site is a prerequisite for survival, propagation, and breeding success for many burrow-dependent species. Among mammals, canids typically use existing Burrows of other animals during the breeding season. The study describes the factors influencing the golden jackal (Canis aureus) in selecting appropriate Burrows in Keoladeo National Park (KNP), India, including a description of site-specific habitat characteristics, microhabitat conditions, and the burrow-specific activities. Jackals had occupied 11 of the 47 recorded Burrows and had chosen the area with more wood cover. The occupied Burrows were found active throughout the day. The mean detections per day were significantly highest in the month of May for “rearing pups.” The nocturnal activity was associated with the lunar phase, with a significant peak between the “third quarter” to “new moon” phase. The intensity of the activity of adults and pups were analyzed across 6 weeks (April–May), wherein feeding, grooming, playing, and guarding significantly occurred between fourth and sixth weeks. The pups suckled every 8 h, and at about 3 weeks old, regurgitated food also became part of their diet. Jackal pups and adults spent an average of 103.60 and 36.13 min per day playing and guarding the Burrows, respectively. Increased temperature with the day’s progression significantly reduced jackal’s activities and they retreated around 1200 h. Guarding of the Burrows by adults significantly increased during night hours (0030–0500 h), when the pups are more susceptible to predation. Both the sexes participated in parental care activities, taking turns to guard the burrow, grooming, and playing with the pups. The study thus provides insights on the golden jackal’s natal site selection, observances, and use of sub-surface earthen refuges in semi-arid condition.
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Burrow characteristics and its importance in occupancy of burrow dwelling vertebrates in Semiarid area of Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan, India
Journal of Arid Environments, 2017Co-Authors: Aditi Mukherjee, Honnavalli Nagaraj Kumara, Rajan Pilakandy, Shirish S. Manchi, S BhupathyAbstract:Abstract Burrows are engineered shelters providing crucial refuge and protection against temperature extremes, fire and predation. Understanding the ecological role of them in terms of providing habitats to other animals is very significant. Burrowing animal assemblages occur in almost all landscapes, particularly in arid and semi-arid habitats. The present work was carried out to understand external and internal burrow features and to identify the factors determining the animal assemblage. A total of 44 burrow systems were located in Keoladeo National Park, India. External burrow characteristics such as: number of openings, inter-opening distances, size and opening orientation were collected. The internal architecture (n = 9) of the burrow systems was studied using a burrow video camera. The internal characteristics such as: dimensions of tunnels and chambers, total length, number of branches, and distance between chambers were collected. Degree of convolution and Reichman's index were used to determine the complexity and linearity. Camera traps and a burrow video camera were used to determine the presence of animals dwelling inside. The burrow systems had a looping structure with a mean total length of 13.33 ± 6.51 m. Burrow systems were co-occupied by four vertebrate species; Indian crested porcupine, golden jackal, leaf-nosed bat and Indian rock python. All the animals except porcupines, were observed to occupy Burrows based on specific burrow characters, wherein jackals occupied Burrows with larger chambers, pythons occurred in smaller compact chambers and bats occupied Burrows with fewer branching and openings. The occupancy of Indian crested porcupine and gecko did not show any significant correlation with burrow characters. Occupancy of jackal was positively correlated (r = 0.72, P
K. Blake Suttle - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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BURROW USE IN A NORTHERN CALIFORNIA POPULATION OF THE WOLF SPIDER SCHIZOCOSA MCCOOKI (ARANEAE, LYCOSIDAE)
Journal of Arachnology, 2003Co-Authors: K. Blake SuttleAbstract:Abstract Observations on the wolf spider Schizocosa mccooki in northern California grasslands reveal previously unreported burrowing behavior, known to occur in only one other member of the genus. Adult and penultimate female S. mccooki may occupy Burrows that vary widely in depth and the occurrence of silk linings. Mark-resight techniques revealed burrow fidelity spanning several weeks for individual spiders. Behaviors such as courtship and prey consumption can occur at, but are not restricted to, the entrances to these Burrows. Burrows appear to offer daytime shelter for S. mccooki, though it remains unclear whether protection from predators or amelioration of abiotic conditions is the primary basis for burrow use.
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SHORT COMMUNICATION BURROW USE IN A NORTHERN CALIFORNIA POPULATION OF THE WOLF SPIDER SCHIZOCOSA MCCOOKI (ARANEAE, LYCOSIDAE)
2003Co-Authors: K. Blake SuttleAbstract:Observations on the wolf spider Schizocosa mccooki in northern California grasslands reveal previously unreported burrowing behavior, known to occur in only one other member of the genus. Adult and penultimate female S. mccooki may occupy Burrows that vary widely in depth and the occur- rence of silk linings. Mark-resight techniques revealed burrow fidelity spanning several weeks for indi- vidual spiders. Behaviors such as courtship and prey consumption can occur at, but are not restricted to, the entrances to these Burrows. Burrows appear to offer daytime shelter for S. mccooki, though it remains unclear whether protection from predators or amelioration of abiotic conditions is the primary basis for burrow use.
