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The bush Karoo rat Otomys unisulcatus on the Cape West coast

1988; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 23; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/02541858.1988.11448085

0254-1858

Hannali Vermeulen, J.A.J. Nel,

Evolution and Paleontology Studies

AbstractIn the Postberg Nature Reserve, coastal Western Cape Province, bush Karoo rats Otomys unisulcatus build dome-shaped stick shelters or lodges, with a mean height of 1,45 m and a mean volume of 0,61 m3, usually with Exomis microphylla var. axyrioides as a supporting shrub. Sticks and twigs utilized are from 10 to 517 mm long, 3,5 mm thick, and with a mean length up to 117 mm per lodge, interwoven to form intricate structures. These are criss-crossed with passages and contain two nests and two latrines each. More than 13 000 sticks can be used to build a lodge; this involves travelling total distances of up to 16,5 km to gather building material. A network of paths interconnects lodges and leads to shrubs providing sticks and food. Most lodges are inhabited by one or two individuals. The species is diurnal and crepuscular.In die Postberg-Natuurreservaat op die Kaapse Weskus bou boskaroorotte Otomys unisulcatus koepelvormige stokhuise met 'n gemiddelde hoogte van 1,45 m en 'n gemiddelde volume van 0,61 m3, gewoonlik met 'n hondebossie Exomis microphylla var. axyrioides ter ondersteuning. Stokkies en takkies 10 tot 517 mm lank, 3,5 mm dik, en met gemiddelde lengtes tot 117 mm per stokhuis word gebruik om ingewikkelde strukture, deurkruis met gangetjies, en met twee neste en twee latrines elk te bou. Meer as 13 000 stokkies word gebruik om 'n huis mee te bou; dit behels versameling van boumateriaal oor totale afstande van tot 16,5 km. Paadjies verbind stokhuise en lei na bossies wat boumateriaal en voedsel voorsien. Die meeste stokhuise word deur een of twee individue bewoon. Die spesies is dag- en skemeraktief.