Khutse game reserve Botswana: Preserving the Kalahari ecosystem

Dawson, Jeffrey L.; Butynski, Thomas M.

doi:10.1016/0006-3207(75)90053-1

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Burrow Systems Two and Three were situated in the Central Kalahari Bush Savannah (Weare & Yalala, 1971) near the Game Scout Camp in the Kutswe Game Reserve (latitudes 23-24' South and longitudes 24-25' East), an area of firm Kalahari sands and a mean annual rainfall of 400 mm. These areas have been described in greater detail by Smithers (1971), Butynski ( , 1978 and Dawson & Butynski (1975).…”

Section: Methods and Study Areasmentioning

confidence: 97%

Burrow structure and fossorial ecology of the springhare Pedetes capensis in Botswana

Butynski¹,

Mattingly²

1979

African Journal of Ecology

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Summary The fossorial ecology of the springhare was studied in the Republic of Botswana (August 1971‐August 1974). Springhare burrows were located on well‐drained sandy soils and were generally associated with an abundant short‐grass food resource and flat open terrain. The composition of grasses in the vicinity of the burrows differed markedly from that of the surrounding areas as a result of springhare activities. Digging behaviour is discussed. Excavation of burrows occurred during all times of the year, but was most frequent during the wet season. The overall pattern of three excavated burrows was circular with most entrances on the periphery of the system; mean depth = 78 cm, mean length = 42.1 m, greatest depth =122 cm, tunnel height = 17–25 cm, tunnel width = 10–23 cm, and mean number of entrances = 9.3. Both temporary and permanent earthen plugs were formed within the burrows. No chambers, side‐pockets, blind tunnels, food or nesting materials were found in the burrows. Two types of entrances, ‘mound’ and ‘clean’ holes, were present. Springhares are not colonial. One springhare, or at most a mother with its one young, was associated with each burrow. Résumé L'écologie souterraine du lièvre sauteur fut étudiée en République du Botswana (août 1974). Les terriers des lièvres sauteurs sont situés dans des sols sablonneux bien drainés, et sont généralement associés aved d'abondantes resources alimentaires en courtes graminées et avec un terrain plat et dégagé. La composition des graminées au voisinage des terriers, qui différe nettement de celle des zones environnantes, est le résultant des activités du lièvre sauteur. Le comportement de creusage est discuté. L'excavation de terriers se produit tout au long de l'année mais est plus fréquente durant la saison des pluies. La structure en plan de trois terriers dégagés est circulaire, avec la plupart des entrées sur la périphérie du réseau (profondeur moyenne: 78 cm, longueur moyenne: 42.1 m, profondeur maximale: 122 cm, hauteur de galerie: 17–25 cm, largeur de galerie: 10–23 cm, nombre moyen d'entréees: 9.3). Des bouchons de terre temporaires et permanents sont édifiés à l'intérieur du terrier. Aucune chamber poche latérale, cul‐de‐sac, nourriture ou matériaux de nidification n'a été trouvé. Deux types d'entrés sont notés: des trow ‘en remblai’ et des trous ‘nets’. Les lièvres sauteurs ne sont pas coloniaux; un individu, ou tout au plus une mère avec son unique jeune occupe un seul terrier.

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Section: Methods and Study Areasmentioning

confidence: 97%

Burrow structure and fossorial ecology of the springhare Pedetes capensis in Botswana

Butynski¹,

Mattingly²

1979

African Journal of Ecology

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“…Mean annual rainfall on the Eastern Study Area is 500 mm and total annual rainfall can vary by 30%. A general description of these two areas is given in Smithers (1971), Butynski (1975Butynski ( , 1978 and Dawson & Butynski (1975).…”

Section: Study Areasmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproductive ecology of the Springhaas Pedetes capensis in Botswana

Butynski

1979

Journal of Zoology

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The reproductive ecology of the Springhaas was studied in the Republic of Botswana (August 1971‐August 1974). Springhaas were collected over 24 consecutive months (153 foetuses and 560 juveniles and adults). Springhaas are monotocous. There was no difference between the number of implantations in each uterine horn. Seventy‐six per cent of adult females were pregnant, 46 % were lactating, and only 4 % were neither pregnant nor lactating. Neonates are confined to the burrow and totally dependent upon the mother until they attain a body weight of approximately 1.3 kg. The male to female ratio was 51:49, and the juvenile to adult ratio was 28:72. No seasonal peaks in reproductive effort were noted. The reproductive strategy of the Springhaas is considered. Predation is believed to be the primary mover in the evolution of the Springhaas reproductive strategy.

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“…The Kalahari Study Area was located in the remote Kutswe Game Reserve and southern portion of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (latitudes 23°-24° South, and longitudes 24°-25° East), and the Eastern Botswana Study Area was situated on the outskirts of Gaborone (latitudes 24°^25° South, and longitudes 25°-26° East). S mi t hers (1971), Butynski (1975Butynski ( , 1978, and Dawson & Butynski (1975) provide general descriptions of these areas.…”

Section: Study Areasmentioning

confidence: 99%