The Effects of Physical Landscape Variables on Burrow-Site Selection in the Kuwaiti Desert by Lesser Egyptian Jerboa (Jaculus jaculus)

Abstract

ABSTRACTKnowledge of the habitat affinities and associations of a species is important for understanding its ecology and spatial distribution. This study investigates the effects of environmental and spatial variables including location (north–south), proximity to the sea (coastal–inland), and physical soil properties (soil moisture, particle size, and soil cohesion) on the burrowing locations of the lesser Egyptian jerboa (Jaculus jaculus). Quadrant sampling was used to collect field data on the location and number of burrows in a study area in Kuwait. The chi-square test illustrated a statistical relationship between the number of burrows and the physical soil properties, and the Mann–Whitney test illustrated a statistical relationship between the number of burrows and location (north–south) as well as proximity to the coast. The results showed that jerboa burrows are primarily located in soil with medium soil moisture, soil cohesion, and medium to coarse particle size, which we attribute to the ease of hopping and burrow construction in areas with medium soil moisture, soil cohesion, and particle size. The results also showed that jerboa burrows were located farther from rather than close to the coast, possibly because higher soil salinity in coastal areas might negatively affect the availability of food resources.