Environmental factors could constrain the use of long-range vocal signals in solitary tuco-tucos (Ctenomys; Rodentia, Ctenomyidae) reproduction

摘要: Ctenomys are mainly solitary subterranean rodents. Life underground has advantages (protection against predators, environmental control and reduced competition) but also implies disadvantages (digging costs, coping with hypercapnia, physiological sensory changes, communication problems) that can affect the social structure. Reproduction is a critical moment in use of signal repertoire, because individuals should locate space, travel to, contact copulate suitable partner. Energy expenditure involved digging (connecting) tunnels makes difficult to attain partner burrow system, predation risk moving above ground counterbalance it coupled spatial structure population, determine best communicative strategy potential Vocalisations allow communicate over longer distances an risk, while chemical signals, mostly aimed at vomerolfaction involve proximity or direct sample odour thus making information gathering more risky. As different types gather leading copulation, we propose these signals would be flexible, depending on population type predators living zone. This differences among species and/or populations characteristics long-range vocalisations could induced by factors. variation considered as case phenotypic plasticity, determining strategies variability reproductive context, dependent behaviour males.