Cavia magna wild guinea pig behavior and social organization (Rodentia: Caviidae)

• Grant number: 12/13031-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2012
• End date: February 28, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Animal Behavior
• Principal Investigator: Patrícia Izar Mauro
• Grantee: Patrícia Izar Mauro
• Host Institution: Instituto de Psicologia (IP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: São Paulo

Abstract

Socioecology is responsible for studying social systems using the behavioral ecology principles. Studying rodents social systems represent a valuable opportunity once this group shows high variations on social behavior, which may be an adaptation selected in evolutionary past and/or an adaptative feedback to the ecological context. Investigate the social organization flexibility by studying cavies is relevant because of its relative behavioral rigidity, despite their occupation of different environments. In this context, we intend to evaluate our hypothesis on the Cavia magna Ximenez, 1980, cavie social organization: it depends on current ecological factors, being an adaptive answer. Cavia magna is an herbivore found on northern Uruguay and south of Brazil. The alternative hypothesis is that the social organization is an adaptive answer, limited by reaction rules selected on the past. The cavies will be observed in a coast urban area, inside of the Instituto Federal de Santa Catarina (IF-SC) campus, in Florianópolis, Brazil. The population is isolated in a small area with low predatory risk, being similar to an insulated habitat. We will collect data on social interaction, interindividual distances during foraging, grouping pattern and sexual ratio. This data will be compared to the available data of C. intermedia, from the Moleques do Sul archipelago, a specie that was probably derived from C. magna and presents adaptations to the insular habitat. After data analysis and the comparison between the species, we will discuss on how much the cavies behavior and social organization is adaptive or adapted, enabling the hypothesis acceptance or rejection. (AU)