EFFECT OF HERBIVOROUS RODENTS (CAVIES AND TUCO-TUCOS) ON A SHRUB COMMUNITY IN THE MONTE-DESERT, ARGENTINA

Authors
BORRUEL N CAMPOS CM GIANNONI SM BORGHI CE
Citation
N. Borruel et al., EFFECT OF HERBIVOROUS RODENTS (CAVIES AND TUCO-TUCOS) ON A SHRUB COMMUNITY IN THE MONTE-DESERT, ARGENTINA, Journal of arid environments, 39(1), 1998, pp. 33-37
Citations number
29
Categorie Soggetti
Environmental Sciences",Ecology
Journal title
Journal of arid environments → ACNP
ISSN journal
01401963
Volume
39
Issue
1
Year of publication
1998
Pages
33 - 37
Database
ISI
SICI code
0140-1963(1998)39:1<33:EOHR(A>2.0.ZU;2-Z
Abstract
The importance of tuco-tucos (Ctenomys eremophilus) and cavies (Microc avia australis) as herbivores in the Monte Desert was assessed on a cr eosotebush community dominated by Larrea cuneifolia. Herbivory by tuco -tucos or cavies affected 35% of the total plants. The most highly dam aged plant species was Atriplex lampa, followed by Larrea cuneifolia a nd Lycium sp. The level of damage caused by Ctenomys was higher than t hat produced by cavies. (C) 1998 Academic Press Limited.