The Influence of Subterranean Rodents on the Environment

摘要: The impact of subterranean rodents can be arrayed along several axes, including their direct influence on plants and plant communities, role in altering the physical environment effect human dominated systems. In all these situations presence is obscured by dense, opaque medium soil. Thus, nature scope activities may less appreciated than other,more obvious biotic abiotic factors. chapters this section present ample evidence, gathered scientists other observers, importance subterranean, herbivorous ecosystems. Perhaps most widely studied taxa respect are pocket gophers (Geomyidae), residents across broad parts North America. Reichman documents Chap. 20 wide range influences engendered gophers, some which extensive dramatic. Focusing same group, Witmer Engeman (Chap. 21) provide an in-depth review geomyids a variety endeavors, from agriculture to dangerous buried wastes, underground cables, even archeological sites. results presented interesting awell-know taxon, but remaining important new insights lessknown, equally important, taxa. 22, Zhang characterizes how consumption excavation soil zokors, (Eospalax fontanierii) myospalacine that Siberia northern China. And finally 23, Arjo describes intriguing aspects burrowing ecology behavior phylogenetically basal rodent, mountain beaver (Aplodontia rufa). A brief look at characteristics other, cognate, taxa, sub-Saharan mole-rats (Bathyergidae), South American tuco-tucos (Ctenomyidae) coruros (Octodontidae), Eurasian blind (Spalacidae), andmembers holarctic voles (Arvicolinae), suggest general similarities among forms (Lacey et al. 2000). For example, Spalax, one best known genera (thanks extraordinary work Nevo, his collaborators, many others (see, e.g. Nevo 1999) appears have significant habitats (Heth 1991).