Mammal Burrows Research Articles

On the Origin of soft ticks (Parasitiformes, Ixodoidea, Argasidae)

The origin of the common evolutionary branch of soft and hard ticks is dated to the later Permian, approximately coinciding with the Permian extinction, and divergence of the common branch of Ixodoidea into ancestral forms of Argasidae and Ixodidae occurred in the Triassic. Ancestors of the common branch of Ixodoidea (Ixodidae, Argasidae, Nuttalliellidae) were not bloodsucking arthropods and were closely related to modern representatives of Holothyridae. Bloodsucking and, later, temporary ectoparasitism had developed only after divergence of the main branches (Ixodidae, Argasidae and Nuttalliellidae), independently in each group. At early stages of the soft tick evolution, bloodsucking was a short-time process, long-time feeding had developed later in larvae and promoted dispersal of ticks. Maintenance of the short-time feeding can be explained by adaptation to dwelling in bird nests or in shelters visited by birds, and later, also in mammal burrows. Displacements of gnathosomе to the ventral side of idiosome hampered combing of a parasite from the host during short-time bloodsucking. Short-time feeding resulted in maintenance and development of coxal glands as the main organ for removal of superfluous liquid during bloodsucking. Adaptation to shelter habitats (nests, burrows, rock crevices, under dead tree cork, etc.) promoted development of polyphagia and adaptations for long-term starvation.

Late Miocene mammalian burrows in the Camacho Formation of Uruguay reveal a complex community of ecosystem engineers

We report fossil mammal burrows from backshore beach facies in the Camacho Formation of southern Uruguay, of Late Miocene (Huayquerian SALMA) age. The presence of desiccation cracks and rhizoliths indicate the occurrence of relatively extended periods of subaerial exposure and the incipient development of vegetation. The analysis of the burrows' spatial extent, size, and structure reveals the existence of exceptionally well-preserved and intercrossing tunnel systems. We show the existence of different size classes of burrows, which indicate that at least four different taxa were responsible for their construction. Considering the inferred body masses of the trace makers obtained from allometric relationships and the body masses of taxa recovered for the Camacho Formation, the burrows may have been produced by a combination of the following mammals: one of several rodents, notoungulates, cingulates, folivorans, and a carnivoran. The fossil association represents an exceptional case of a community of ecosystem engineers in the Late Miocene of southeastern South America.

Ornithodoros sonrai Soft Ticks and Associated Bacteria in Senegal.

The soft ticks, Ornithodoros sonrai, are known as vectors of the tick-borne relapsing fever caused by Borrelia spp. and have also been reported to carry other micro-organisms. The objective of this study was to collect and to identify O. sonrai ticks and to investigate the micro-organisms associated with them. In 2019, an investigation of burrows within human dwellings was conducted in 17 villages in the Niakhar area and in 15 villages in the Sine-Saloum area in the Fatick region of Senegal. Ticks collected from the burrows were identified morphologically and by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Micro-organism screening was performed by bacteria-specific qPCR and some identifications were made by standard PCR and gene sequencing. O. sonrai ticks were found in 100% (17/17) of the villages surveyed in the Niakhar area and in 66% (10/15) of the villages in the Sine-Saloum area. A total of 1275 soft tick specimens were collected from small mammal burrows. The ticks collected were morphologically identified as O. sonrai. About 20% (259/1275) of the specimens were also submitted to MALDI-TOF MS for identification. Among the resulting MS profiles, 87% (139/159) and 95% (95/100) were considered good quality specimens, preserved in alcohol and silica gel, respectively. All spectra of good quality were tested against our MALDI-TOF MS arthropod spectra database and identified as O. sonrai species, corroborating the morphological classification. The carriage of four micro-organisms was detected in the ticks with a high prevalence of Bartonella spp., Anaplasmataceae, and Borrelia spp. of 35, 28, and 26%, respectively, and low carriage of Coxiella burnetii (2%). This study highlights the level of tick infestation in domestic burrows, the inventory of pathogens associated with the O. sonrai tick, and the concern about the potential risk of tick involvement in the transmission of these pathogens in Senegal.

Strange bedfellows: Mammal burrow disturbances may provide thermoregulatory microsites for fossorial reptiles in densely vegetated dunes

AbstractBurrow excavation by mammals generates heterogeneity within landscapes. Globally, these disturbances are known to provide significant ecosystem benefits. Most investigations of native Australian burrowing mammal disturbances has focused on the role of burrows in landscape function and interspecific thermal refugia. Herein, we present a novel observation of the fossorial skink Lerista bougainvillii utilizing burrow mounds of the common wombat (Vombatus ursinus) for possible thermoregulatory gains. In the early morning, when thermoregulatory opportunities were limited, L. bougainvillii were detected in mounds that appeared hotter than adjoining vegetation. These observations suggest that in densely vegetated habitats thermal heterogeneity caused by mammal burrows may offer important thermoregulatory opportunities for fossorial species with limited climbing capacity.

Geotechnical insights of mammal burrows in loose desert sand

Geotechnical insights of mammal burrows in loose desert sand

Neoichnology of vertebrate traces along the western barrier coast of Ukraine: preservation potential and subsurface visualization

A diverse quite of vertebrate traces covers beach, aeolian, and bay-side (deflation flats) surfaces along the NW Black Sea coast of Ukraine. These include avian, ungulate, and canid footprints, as well as mammal burrows (length >5 cm; depth ~2 cm). The preservation of biogenic structures is enhanced by rapid burial (low-energy sedimentation or event deposition), algal mat formation, and salt encrustation. Continuous high-frequency (800 MHz) ground-penetrating radar (GPR) imaging aided in visualizing subsurface sections of an active burrow complex within a beach-dune ridge. Images near an active fox burrow captured distinct subsurface anomalies (point-source hyperbolic diffractions) in the upper aeolian section above the water table. Unfilled tunnel sections are easily distinguished from buried roots and other targets based on signal velocity and polarity reversals relative to air-to-sediment response at the ground surface. The diffraction geometry (angle) is related to signal velocity, providing valuable information about relative saturation of the overlying substrate. Decimeter-scale deformation of shallow reflections may be attributed to tracking surfaces, with similar examples found immediately below modern surfaces affected by anthropogenic trampling. It is likely that muddy lagoonal tracking surfaces may be preserved under layers of sand (overwash or aeolian deposition) and, following saltwater expulsion, may be recognized in geophysical images as clear deformed paleo-surfaces. Heavy-mineral concentrations (e.g. magnetite-rich sand) are common for beach and dune horizons that have undergone reworking and such anomalies often accentuate physical and biogenic deformation structures. Due to moderate-to-high fraction of ferri- and paramagnetic minerals, these anomalies are also well-expressed in GPR images due to its electromagnetic signal response. A conceptual framework of trace preservation potential (taphonomy) and geophysical recognition (GPR) suitability is proposed for this coastal region, with implications to paleo-environmental reconstruction.

An experimental assessment of detection dog ability to locate great crested newts (Triturus cristatus) at distance and through soil.

Detection dogs are increasingly used to locate cryptic wildlife species, but their use for amphibians is still rather underexplored. In the present paper we focus on the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus), a European species which is experiencing high conservation concerns across its range, and assess the ability of a trained detection dog to locate individuals during their terrestrial phase. More specifically, we used a series of experiments to document whether a range of distances between target newts and the detection dog (odour channelled through pipes 68 mm in diameter) affects the localisation, and to assess the ability and efficiency of target newt detection in simulated subterranean refugia through 200 mm of two common soil types (clay and sandy soil, both with and without air vents to mimic mammal burrows, a common refuge used by T. cristatus). The detection dog accurately located all individual T. cristatus across the entire range of tested distances (0.25 m- 2.0 m). The substrate trials revealed that the detection dog could locate individuals also through soil. Contrary to existing studies with detection dogs in human forensic contexts, however, detection was generally slower for T. cristatus under sandy soil compared to clay soil, particularly when a vent was absent. Our study provides a general baseline for the use of detection dogs in locating T. cristatus and similar amphibian species during their terrestrial phase.

New records of Diptera from nests of Micromys minutus and Muscardinus avellanarius in Slovakia

Abstract Associations of insects that live in nests and burrows of small mammals are relatively poorly explored. This work therefore tries to expand the knowledge about Diptera communities (Psychodidae and Sphaeroceridae) of two small mammals, namely Micromys minutus (Pallas, 1771) and Muscardinus avellanarius (Linnaeus, 1758). In nests of Eurasian harvest mouse two psychodid species and one sphaerocerid species, while in hazel dormouse nest one psychodid species and three sphaerocerid species have been found, all representing new nest records.

Living in a mosaic of Brazilian Atlantic Forest and plantations: spatial ecology of five bushmaster Lachesis muta (Viperidae Crotalinae)

This is the first multiple months study on home range and habitat use by a small group of bushmaster (Lachesis spp.). Five snakes (natives and translocated) were intensively radio tracked in a mosaic of plantations and small fragments of Atlantic Forest in the Reserva Ecologica Michelin in Bahia, Brazil. The average home range was 9.47 ha (MCP 95%) and 44.11 (Kernel 95%) for bushmasters tracked for more than 6 months. The macrohabitats used were primarily composed of disturbed primary (partially logged) and secondary (originally cleared) forests, but also of rubber tree plantations with a dense understory vegetation. Activity centres were closer to the forest edge (~ 22 m) than the core of the small forest fragments. The snakes mainly occupied wooded microhabitats with complex vegetation structures, around 50% under- and mid-story cover. Nocturnal ambush differed from diurnal resting microhabitats on the surface mainly by being significantly closer to mammal trails and a more open understory space. While mammal burrows and refuges under roots and rocks have been used, diurnal resting was primarily on the forest floor (75%). Translocation from sites > 20 km outside the study site has produced little evidence of negative effect, as all individuals grew impressively, continued an apparently normal life and established a home range similar to native bushmasters.

Thermoregulation by Bullsnakes (Pituophis catenifer sayi): do burrows make life easier on the prairies?

Reptiles living in the grasslands of Western Canada cope with extremely variable environmental temperatures. We studied body temperatures (Tb) and operative environmental temperatures (Te) for Bullsnakes (Pituophis catenifer sayi (Schlegel, 1837)) to address uncertainties regarding challenges posed by the thermal environments of northern grasslands, and to evaluate conflicting hypotheses regarding thermoregulatory strategies. Despite potentially extreme surface temperatures (meanmin. = 9.3 °C, meanmax. = 31.4 °C), mammal burrows remained within voluntary limits (15–35 °C) for 93% of the active season and created thermal gradients (up to 27.2 °C) which may facilitate thermoregulation by creating high thermal heterogeneity. This evidence suggests that grasslands may actually be less challenging for thermoregulation than comparable forests. Fifty-eight percent (57.8%) of the variation in observed Tb (meanmin. = 20.1 °C, meanmax. = 29.1 °C) was explained by three simple variables: time of day, day of year, and bare ground Te. Bullsnakes thermoregulated by conforming to Te near their preferred range (21–27 °C), selecting locations that enabled heating up below this range and avoiding warmth above this range. Our results support broad hypotheses of reptilian thermoregulation that predict increased thermoregulation when (i) environmental temperatures deviate farther from preferred ranges and (ii) costs of thermoregulation are lower due to thermal heterogeneity.

Commensals of underground mammals: European mole (Talpa europaea, Eulipotyphla, Talpidae) and the greater mole-rat (Spalax microphthalmus, Rodentia, Spalacidae)

Abstract. Stepanova I, Andreychev A, Kulakhmetov R, Lobachev E. 2021. Commensals of underground mammals: European mole (Talpa europaea, Eulipotyphla, Talpidae) and the greater mole-rat (Spalax microphthalmus, Rodentia, Spalacidae). Biodiversitas 22: 4665-4670. The study of lodgers of burrows of underground mammals was carried out using the method of hunting cylinders (cans). In the study, 29 different representatives from the following classes were identified in the courses of the greater mole-rat and European mole: Diplopoda, Chilopoda, Gastropoda, Insecta, Amphibia, and Mammalia. Among the vertebrates captured are Eurasian common shrew (Sorex araneus), Eurasian pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus), bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus), common spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus), moor frog (Rana arvalis), and common toad (Bufo bufo). Twenty-six different species have been identified among invertebrates. Many animals seek shelter in the burrows of underground mammals from enemies and adverse climatic factors for food or conditions for reproduction. In the central part of Russia, more species of commensals were found in European mole burrows (29) than in greater mole-rat burrows (21).

The roles of diffusion and convection in ventilation of animal burrows.

The relationship between body mass and the respiratory microenvironment of burrowing animals is examined using artificial burrows containing surrogate animals that simulate O2 consumption by removal of air and simultaneous replacement with N2. Allometric relationships between body mass and burrow radius, nest chamber radius, and O2 consumption rate show that published mathematical predictions of diffusion-mediated gas exchange are adequate to describe the respiratory environments of animals in small blind-ending burrows through porous substrata. Diffusion is sufficient to ventilate burrows containing small mammals weighing less than 340g, or subterranean nest chambers connected to the surface by one or more tunnels containing mammals weighing less than 30kg. Outside of these limits, convection prevails and prevents the development of hypoxic conditions, particularly in burrows of mammals weighing more than 1300g.

Nest Dimensions, Burrow-Lining, and Decoration Behavior of Burrowing Owls in the Pampas

Nesting in burrows is uncommon among birds, but one example of a burrow-nesting raptor is the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia). In most areas of North America, where this raptor has been extensively studied, it typically uses burrows of fossorial mammals, but in southern South America this owl digs its own burrows. We studied characteristics of size, lining, and decoration of Burrowing Owl nests located in dunes, rural areas, and urban areas of the Pampas of Argentina, and analyzed whether such characteristics vary according to land cover. We found that Burrowing Owls construct burrows of similar characteristics in the three habitats sampled, although nests in dunes had wider entrances and longer tunnels. Such variation might relate to the soil, which is more compacted in the dunes than at the rural and urban areas. In both rural and urban areas, owls used manure to line the burrow and decorated the nest entrance with visible objects, but the diversity and amount of materials used for decoration was much higher in urban nests. Our results on burrow measurements, burrow-lining, and decoration behavior of Burrowing Owls in the Pampas were consistent with those reported for North American populations, even though burrow construction processes differ at both ranges of the species' distribution.

Historic Methods of Trapping Plains Spotted Skunks: Implications for Modern Survey Methodology

Plains spotted skunks (Spilogale putorius interrupta) were once common over a wide range, but at present they are much less abundant and infrequently captured. Therefore, it can be difficult to assess the efficacies of capture techniques in the field. I gathered data on the baits, lures, and types of trapping locations recommended in trapping manuals and in articles from trapping magazines published in the early 1900s. A total of 43 trap site recommendations, 42 bait recommendations, and 9 lure recommendations were gleaned from 36 historic articles or books. Seven of 43 trap sites (16.3%) were described simply as “dens,” while 29 of 43 (67.4%) were sites that would probably serve as dens for plains spotted skunks, such as burrows, fencerows, and old buildings. Birds (19.1%), rabbits (14.3%), chickens (11.9%), and mice (11.9%) were most frequently mentioned as baits. Lure recommendations were less common and were mostly fish oil (33.3%) or skunk scent (22%). Based on these historic recommendations, trapping for spotted skunks in crop and grassland habitats, including prairies, may be most successful when the effort targets mammal burrows and other potential den sites. Although the use of small animals as bait may be productive, further research will be needed to determine whether this method is more cost efficient or effective than the canned fish now used as bait by most modern researchers.

An Integrative Taxonomic Review of the Quedius erythrogaster Mannerheim Species Group in North America (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Quediini)

Like many other members of the Microsaurus Dejean lineage of Quedius Stephens (Staphylinidae: Staphylininae: Quediini), rove beetles of the erythrogaster species group are facultatively or obligately associated with microhabitats within the nests of insects, mammals and, possibly, tree cavity-nesting birds. Generally, these cryptic and difficult to access microhabitats have been poorly surveyed in North America compared to Central Europe. This has resulted in limited material for taxonomists and several species likely remain to be discovered. Here we review species concepts in the erythrogaster group using newly available Nearctic material, including some extensive samples from mammal burrows. Using evidence from both morphological and CO1 barcode data, we propose the treatment of eight species, including four new species: Quedius alesi Brunke, new species, Quedius miltoni Brunke, new species, Quedius pinetis Brunke, new species, and Quedius praticola Brunke, new species. A phylogenetic analysis of the molecular data resolved two major clades within the erythrogaster group, the erythrogaster and compransor complexes. It also corroborated morphological evidence that Palearctic myrmecophile Quedius brevis Erichson belongs to the erythrogaster group and suggests that other Palearctic species could belong here upon further examination.

First record of larval microhabitats of sandflies in Mexico with the description of the fourth instar larva of Brumptomyia hamata.

Despite the medical importance of sandflies as vectors (Diptera: Phlebotominae) of Leishmania spp., immature stages of phlebotomine sandflies have never been found in the wild in Mexico. In the present investigation, we sought to identify specific microhabitats associated with the presence of sandfly immature stages. Field work was conducted in 11 localities of the Yucatan Peninsula and we collected soil samples from each site during two periods (November 2007 to April 2008, November 2008). Soil samples were transported to our base camp and were processed using the Berlese's funnels. We processed a total 242 soil samples with an average weight of 362 ± (SD) 317 gr. From these samples, we were able to recover 51 phlebotomine larvae in five different microhabitats and largest number was obtained from mammal burrows (88%) and from tree-buttresses of Brosimium alicastrum (Berg) (6%). We identified larval microhabitat for Brumptomyia hamata (Fairchild & Hertig) and those specimens provided the material to describe for the first time the fourth instar larva. We also include information of a larval microhabitat of Lutzomyia cruciata (Coquillett). In addition, we recorded a total of 4872 arthropods from 15 taxa in all those soil samples in which sandfly larvae were found, being Collembola (76%) and Acari (10%) the most abundant.

Added Value: Gopher Tortoise Surveys Provide Estimates of Gopher Frog Abundance in Tortoise Burrows

AbstractThe gopher frog Lithobates capito is one of the most terrestrial frogs in the southeastern United States and often inhabits gopher tortoise burrows Gopherus polyphemus outside of the breeding season. Gopher frog populations have declined, and the species is under review for listing as threatened or endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Much of our knowledge on the status of gopher frogs is based on detections of larvae at breeding wetlands, which can be challenging because of environmental variability and provides no information on the terrestrial life stages of the species. Therefore, an alternative method is called for. We recorded observations of gopher frogs during gopher tortoise surveys at four conservation lands in Florida and used line-transect distance sampling to estimate frog abundance. We also recorded burrow size, incidence of frog co-occupancy with tortoises, and distance from frog-occupied burrows to breeding wetlands. We observed 274 gopher frogs in 1,097 tortoise burrows at the four sites. The proportion of burrows occupied by gopher frogs among sites ranged from 0.17 to 0.25. Gopher frog abundance in tortoise burrows was 742 (512–1,076 95% CL) at Etoniah Creek State Forest, 465 (352–615) at Ft. White Wildlife Environmental Area, 411 (283–595) at Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park, and 134 (97–186) at Watermelon Pond Wildlife Environmental Area. We observed up to four frogs in a single burrow. The proportion of frogs detected in burrows occupied by a gopher tortoise ranged from 0.46 to 0.79 among sites, and overall, gopher frogs preferred burrows occupied by tortoises over unoccupied burrows (χ2 = 15.875; df = 3; P = 0.001). Gopher frogs used burrows from 7 to 43 cm in width; mean width of frog-occupied burrows did not differ from that of unoccupied burrows (F1,3 = 0.049, P = 0.825). Distance from frog-occupied tortoise burrows to the nearest breeding wetland ranged from 141 to 3,402 m. Our data on gopher frogs collected in conjunction with gopher tortoise monitoring efforts using line-transect distance sampling and burrow cameras provided novel information on frog abundance in their terrestrial habitat and required no additional effort. However, the extent to which frogs use tortoise burrows relative to other available refuges (small mammal burrows, stumps, or other structures) is unknown; thus, our estimates should be considered conservative. We suggest that terrestrial abundance estimates for gopher frogs can complement efforts to monitor breeding activity to provide a more comprehensive means of monitoring population trends in this cryptic species.

Апробация устройств для дезинсекции нор мелких млекопитающих в Горно-Алтайском высокогорном природном очаге чумы

Апробация устройств для дезинсекции нор мелких млекопитающих в Горно-Алтайском высокогорном природном очаге чумы

Nest Dimensions, Burrow-Lining, and Decoration Behavior of Burrowing Owls in the Pampas

Nesting in burrows is uncommon among birds, but one example of a burrow-nesting raptor is the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia). In most areas of North America, where this raptor has been extensively studied, it typically uses burrows of fossorial mammals, but in southern South America this owl digs its own burrows. We studied characteristics of size, lining, and decoration of Burrowing Owl nests located in dunes, rural areas, and urban areas of the Pampas of Argentina, and analyzed whether such characteristics vary according to land cover. We found that Burrowing Owls construct burrows of similar characteristics in the three habitats sampled, although nests in dunes had wider entrances and longer tunnels. Such variation might relate to the soil, which is more compacted in the dunes than at the rural and urban areas. In both rural and urban areas, owls used manure to line the burrow and decorated the nest entrance with visible objects, but the diversity and amount of materials used for decoration was much higher in urban nests. Our results on burrow measurements, burrow-lining, and decoration behavior of Burrowing Owls in the Pampas were consistent with those reported for North American populations, even though burrow construction processes differ at both ranges of the species' distribution.

Den Site Selection by the Florida Spotted Skunk

ABSTRACTThe eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius) is a species of conservation concern in much of its range and has experienced a decline since the early to mid‐1990s. But the subspecies that inhabits peninsular Florida, the Florida spotted skunk (S. p. ambarvalis), might still be abundant and is an important nest predator of the endangered Florida grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum floridanus). To gain insight on this little‐studied subspecies and inform potential management strategies, we conducted a resource selection study on the Florida spotted skunk. We examined 5 hypotheses for den site selection related to den type, vegetation, and landscape characteristics in a dry prairie ecosystem in central Florida. We tracked 36 individual skunks to 757 den sites. Using discrete choice analysis, we found that male and nonbreeding female skunks at our study site were 5 times more likely to select a mammal burrow over a gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) burrow, that selection of a den site increased 34% for each 1‐burrow increase in the number of nearby burrows, and that selection of a den site increased 3% for every 10‐cm increase in a visual obstruction index. Similarly, breeding female skunks were more likely to select mammal burrows and shallow depressions over gopher tortoise burrows by 16‐fold and 13‐fold, respectively, and selection of a den site increased by 75% for every 1‐burrow increase in the number of nearby burrows. In contrast to previous studies that occurred in forested, mountainous environments elsewhere in the species' range, our findings suggest that den characteristics might be more important than landscape or vegetation characteristics to Florida spotted skunk den site selection in dry prairie. Additionally, the frequency of prescribed fires on the landscape did not appear to affect Florida spotted skunk den site selection. Thus, Florida spotted skunks in this ecosystem might be landscape generalists, thereby potentially limiting the ability of managers to control nest predation by this subspecies through habitat management. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.