abstract |
Original
data on the burrowing and foraging activities of
the greater blind mole rat (Spalax microphthalmus),
which is distributed in the east of Ukraine, are
generalised. The population density of this species
depends directly on the amount of available food
resources at respective sites. The strategy of food
storage forms according to the amount and type of
available plant resources and depending on the preservation
of natural habitat of mole rats. Their appearance
in gardens and homesteads is related to anthropogenic
changes of the environment at the dwelling sites
of mole rats. The seasonal dynamics of their burrowing
activity is well pronounced and includes the creation
of a branching system of tunnels in the period of
active vegetation of plants as well as the relocation
or resettlement of animals in various habitats during
the year, their lifetime, and population cycle.
The length of tunnels, structure of burrows, and
the structure of branched underground galleries
are regulated by the density and spatial distribution
of food resources. Based on the results of our study,
specific features of the activity of the greater
blind mole rat during various seasons of the year
are described, including their active relocation
both underground and on the surface, their burrowing
at different horizons, the use of a great variety
of food and the volumes of their storage for periods
when the vegetation of plants ceases. Features of
biotopic distribution and food storage of the greater
blind mole rat are described in general and in relation
to the species’ dispersal into anthropogenically
transformed parts of its range, including areas
nearby to human settlements. The distribution of
food storage chambers is analysed, of both temporal
chambers near the surface and deep-lying chambers,
the ratio of which is about 3:1. The food storage
chambers often contain garden vegetables, although
it is related not only to the preferences of mole
rats, which are obvious too, but also to the fact
that information about the storage chambers (especially
deep-lying ones) is usually reported by people combating
the mole rats for the stolen harvest. The average
volume of low-lying chambers is 5–10 kg (1.0–1.5
buckets), whereas the average volume of deep-lying
chambers is 20–30 kg. Data on the content of food
storage chambers revealed both in homesteads and
natural or nearly natural sites are generalised. |
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