Factors affecting Ord's kangaroo rats (dipodomys ordii) in natural and anthropogenic habitats
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2007
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Abstract
Ord's kangaroo rats in Alberta occupy natural habitat which is typified by sand dunes and sandy river-valley slopes, and anthropogenic habitat in the form of sandy roads and fireguards. I studied differences in predation risk, winter microclimate, body condition, and over-winter survival of Ord's kangaroo rats in natural and anthropogenic habitat. Kangaroo rats in anthropogenic habitat appear to be at higher risk of predation than those in natural habitats. Kangaroo rats occupy burrow sites that maximize winter solar radiation, and winter soil temperatures in kangaroo rat burrow locations are colder in anthropogenic habitat than natural habitat. Kangaroo rats in anthropogenic habitat had lower fall body condition than in natural habitat, and body condition was positively correlated with adult over-winter survival. Over-winter survival rates were higher in river valley sites than dunes or roads. My results suggest numerous, potentially cumulative, negative implications for kangaroo rats occupying anthropogenic habitats.
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Bibliography: p. 144-167
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Citation
Teucher, A. C. (2007). Factors affecting Ord's kangaroo rats (dipodomys ordii) in natural and anthropogenic habitats (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/989