Actividad espacial deDolichotis patagonumen relación a la estructura de la vegetación en el Monte Argentino

Abstract

The mara Dolichotis patagonum is a cursorial rodent typical of savannas, steppes and grasslands. In the Monte of Argentina, where the typical vegetation is an open scrub with a ground layer of scarce herbs and unvegetated spaces of sandy soil, difference in mara abundance between protected and grazed areas suggest a preference for open areas. The main purpose of this paper is to assess how D. patagonum uses the habitat, especially with reference to the vegetation structure. The abundance of mara feces was considered as a measure of its spatial activity and was correlated with cover of three vegetational strata in two study sites: one in Ñacuñán Ecological Reserve and another in a contiguous grazed area. Significant correlationas were obtained with percent bare ground (positive) and percent shrub cover (negative). It is concluded that the mara preferencially selects habitats with large representation of bare ground. This results in its increased presence in grazed areas. In contrast, mara abundance is markedly lower in areas with large accumulations of shrubs and herbs. Adequate management of grazed as well as of protected areas is recommended to enhance the conservation status of this species.