Self-made home: how and where does the anuran Rhinella dorbignyi build its retreat sites

ABSTRACT In this study, we observed that burrows of Rhinella dorbignyi (Duméril & Bibron, 1841) are distributed in a non-random manner in the habitat, suggesting a microhabitat selection for digging. This conclusion was based on a characterization of 36 burrows and surrounding micro-habitat. We...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Laura K. Schuck, Camila F. Moser, Renata K. Farina, Nathália L. P. S. dos Santos, Alexandro M. Tozetti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Fundação Zoobotânica do Rio Grande do Sul 2022-11-01
Series:Iheringia: Série Zoologia
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Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0073-47212022000100220&tlng=en
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Summary:ABSTRACT In this study, we observed that burrows of Rhinella dorbignyi (Duméril & Bibron, 1841) are distributed in a non-random manner in the habitat, suggesting a microhabitat selection for digging. This conclusion was based on a characterization of 36 burrows and surrounding micro-habitat. We established a 1 m x 1 m quadrat with the burrow in its central point (n=36) to measure the percentage (density) and the average heights of grasses, herbs, and shrubs. All measurements were repeated in two unused quadrats (without burrows) to evaluate the available microhabitat (n=72). The burrows are built in specific areas of the habitat with a higher percentage of grass, taller herbs, lower density of shrubs and low shaded sites than the founded at control sites. Based on three-dimensional models of the interior of the burrow (n=15), we observed that all of them were constructed with an elliptical opening that opens into a narrow channel perpendicular to the ground. Channels had a mean maximum diameter of 38 mm and a mean minimum diameter of 18 mm. The mean length of the burrows is 182 mm, and the mean volume is 95 mL.
ISSN:1678-4766