عنوان

Soil-moisture preferences and soil-use behaviors of Northern pocket gophers

Number

LA1jq9s9qm

.Language of Text, Soundtrack etc

انگلیسی

Title Proper

Soil-moisture preferences and soil-use behaviors of Northern pocket gophers

General Material Designation

[Article]

First Statement of Responsibility

Sterner, Ray T.

Text of Note

Factors affecting soil-contact and -manipulation behaviors of pocket gophers (Thomomys and Geomys spp.) are poorly understood. Delineation of these behaviors is crucial to development of new repellent systems that seek to exploit the fossorial activity of these rodents. In a laboratory study involving northern pocket gophers (Thomomys talpoides), I examined the effects(s) of gravimetric soil moisture (i.e., 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%) upon soil-contact and -use behaviors. Six gophers received successive, 0.5 h/day exposures to one of the moist soils compared to dry (0%) soil in a 2-choice apparatus. Times in each compartment and observed behaviors were recorded. A chamber × moisture interaction was attributed to the avoidance of 25% moist soil. A qualitative description of 37 locomotor, postural, sniffing, grooming, feeding, and soil-manipulation responses is provided.

Date of Publication

2000

Title

Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference

Volume Number

19

Entry Element

Sterner, Ray T.

Electronic name

[Article]

275578

a

Y