Abstract

ALONSO ROLDAN, Virginia  and  UDRIZAR SAUTHIER, Daniel. Madrigueras de Dolichotis patagonum como recurso para otros vertebrados en Península Valdés . Mastozool. neotrop. [online]. 2016, vol.23, n.2, pp.515-520. ISSN 0327-9383.

Maras (Dolichotis patagonum) dig warrens which could be a resource for other species. In order to estimate the abundance of warrens and to document their use by other vertebrates, surveys were conducted in six areas of Península Valdés and 42 warrens were surveyed with video cameras during day-time. We found an average of 0.62 warrens/km² and recorded use by five additional species. We conclude that maras provide a resource used by other species and is a case study that must be further researched within the framework of ecosystem engineering theory.

Keywords : Burrowing mammals; Interspecific interactions; Mara; Patagonia; Shelter.