Distributional range, ecology, and mating system of the Cape mole-rat (Georychus capensis) family Bathyergidae

dc.contributor.authorVisser, J.H.
dc.contributor.authorBennett, Nigel Charles
dc.contributor.authorJansen van Vuuren, B.
dc.date.accessioned2017-11-09T12:53:53Z
dc.date.available2017-11-09T12:53:53Z
dc.date.issued2017
dc.description.abstractInterpopulation variation in life-history patterns are influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Life-history patterns have been intensely studied in the eusocial African bathyergid species, largely neglecting the solitary species. Of these solitary genera, the Cape mole-rat (Georychus capensis (Pallas, 1778)) is endemic to South Africa with a disjunct distribution across its range. Knowledge regarding this species is rudimentary; therefore, this study aimed to investigate the current distribution of the species with particular attention to common ecological variables, differences in body size between localities and sexes, as well as its reproduction and mating system. Georychus is a habitat specialist restricted to specific ecological areas. A lack of sexual size dimorphism and correlation between male testis size and number of females in the population, suggests a polygynous mating system, facilitated by the spatial distribution of the sexes. A positive relationship between male testes size and percentage of females in populations sampled suggests that larger sperm reserves (i.e., larger testes) are required in populations with a higher percentage of females. In addition, mating variables (testicular size and litter size) are linked to ecological factors (elevation, aridity, soil type, and vegetation type) that could impact mate searching, mating success, and food resources.en_ZA
dc.description.departmentZoology and Entomologyen_ZA
dc.description.librarianhj2017en_ZA
dc.description.sponsorshipThe National Research Foundation (NRF) grants to B. Jansen van Vuuren and N.C. Bennett.en_ZA
dc.description.urihttp://www.nrcresearchpress.com/journal/cjzen_ZA
dc.identifier.citationVisser, J.H., Bennett, N.C. & Jansen van Vuuren, B. 2017, 'Distributional range, ecology, and mating system of the Cape mole-rat (Georychus capensis) family Bathyergidae', Canadian Journal of Zoology, vol. 95, no. 10, pp. 713-726.en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn1480-3283 (online)
dc.identifier.issn0008-4301 (print)
dc.identifier.issn10.1139/cjz-2017-0016
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/63084
dc.language.isoenen_ZA
dc.publisherNRC Research Pressen_ZA
dc.rights© 2017, Canadian Science Publishing. All rights reserved.en_ZA
dc.subjectCape mole-rat (Georychus capensis)en_ZA
dc.subjectMating systemen_ZA
dc.subjectSeasonal breedingen_ZA
dc.subjectMale multiple matingen_ZA
dc.subjectBathyergidaeen_ZA
dc.subjectGeorychusen_ZA
dc.titleDistributional range, ecology, and mating system of the Cape mole-rat (Georychus capensis) family Bathyergidaeen_ZA
dc.typePostprint Articleen_ZA

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