Effect of Herbivory and Disturbances by Tuco-Tucos (Ctenomys Mendocinus) on a Plant Community in the Southern Puna Desert

Lara, Natalia; Sassi, Paola Lorena; Borghi, Carlos E.

doi:10.1657/1523-0430(2007)39[110:eohadb]2.0.co;2

Cited by 22 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Ctenomyidae and their ecological cognates worldwide are known to have profound impacts on ecosystems, from consuming vegetation to altering the soils physically (Nevo, 1979;Reichman and Seabloom, 2002;Lara et al, 2007). We are now suggesting a potential role of these subterranean herbivores as fungal dispersal agents.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Dispersal of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and dark septate endophytes by Ctenomys cf. knighti (Rodentia) in the northern Monte Desert of Argentina

Fracchia

Krapovickas

Aranda-Rickert

et al. 2011

Journal of Arid Environments

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Dispersal of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and dark septate endophytes by Ctenomys cf. knighti (Rodentia) in the northern Monte Desert of Argentina

Fracchia

Krapovickas

Aranda-Rickert

et al. 2011

Journal of Arid Environments

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“…To date, research on the ecological importance of subterranean rodents has focused predominantly on species in North and South America, Europe and Asia (e.g. Grant, French & Folse Jr, 1980;Zhang, Zhang & Liu, 2003;Lara, Sassi & Borghi, 2007). Due to the extent of their impacts, these species are generally considered to be ecosystem engineers (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mole rats act as ecosystem engineers within a biodiversity hotspot, the Cape Fynbos

Hagenah

Bennett

2012

Journal of Zoology

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Through their burrowing and foraging activities, subterranean rodents disturb large amounts of soil. As a result, they may modify physical and chemical soil properties and thus change the productivity, structure and dynamics of plant communities. To date, research on the ecological importance of fossorial mammals has focussed predominantly on subterranean rodents in North and South America, Europe and Asia. Surprisingly, despite the potential of them filling a similar ecological niche, very few studies have focussed on the impacts of mole-rats (Bathyergidae) in Africa. To determine how mole-rats modulate their environment, we examined the soil and vegetation properties of mole-rat-modified habitats in the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa. We predicted that excavation would result in mound soils having higher nutrient levels, more uniform soil particle profiles and lower compactness compared to undisturbed soils. Furthermore, we expected their digging and foraging activities would Hagenah & Bennett Mole-rats as ecosystem engineers 2 change plant species composition and increase plant productivity and diversity. As predicted, we found that soils disturbed by mole-rats had higher nutrient levels and lower compactness compared to undisturbed soils, and an altered plant species composition. However, in contrast to our predictions, mounds had a finer particle size profile, and mole-rat burrowing and foraging lowered the overall aboveground plant biomass. Most importantly, the presence of mole-rats enhanced plant species richness.However, as disturbance increased plant species richness declined. Our findings suggest that in Africa, mole-rats fulfil the same ecological niche as their ecological cognates in other ecosystems and thus ultimately act as ecosystem engineers.

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“…Previous research about tuco's ecology refers this species to be a potential keystone ecosystem engineer for its modifications of plant communities and soil in homogeneous habitat types (Lara et al, 2007;Borruel, unpublished data). The natural history of the mendocino tuco-tuco has been reported on a fragmented way, with the major focus of analyses being their feeding strategies (Madoery, 1993;Camín and Madoery, 1994;Puig et al, 1999;Rosi et al, 2003Rosi et al, , 2009.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of resources by the subterranean rodent Ctenomys mendocinus (Rodentia, Ctenomyidae), in the lowland Monte desert, Argentina

Albanese¹,

Rodríguez²,

Dacar³

et al. 2010

Journal of Arid Environments

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Effect of Herbivory and Disturbances by Tuco-Tucos (Ctenomys Mendocinus) on a Plant Community in the Southern Puna Desert

Cited by 22 publications

References 42 publications

Dispersal of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and dark septate endophytes by Ctenomys cf. knighti (Rodentia) in the northern Monte Desert of Argentina

Dispersal of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and dark septate endophytes by Ctenomys cf. knighti (Rodentia) in the northern Monte Desert of Argentina

Mole rats act as ecosystem engineers within a biodiversity hotspot, the Cape Fynbos

Use of resources by the subterranean rodent Ctenomys mendocinus (Rodentia, Ctenomyidae), in the lowland Monte desert, Argentina

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