The influence of wind on the orientation of armadillo burrows in tropical forest remnants

• Grant number: 24/09947-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Adriano Garcia Chiarello
• Grantee: Flavia Rugai Freire
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Armadillos (Cingulata) are recognized for having a protective dorsal carapace, which is associated, among other characteristics, with a high thermal conductance that confers limited thermoregulatory capabilities to the animals in this group. The regulation of body temperature is influenced by the burrowing habits of armadillos, as burrows can be used, among other reasons, also as "temperature buffers", offering thermal shelter to armadillos in cold seasons and preventing overheating in summer. The orientation of the burrows can be crucial for the thermoregulation of these animals, due to the influence of wind direction on the internal temperature of the burrows. However, few studies have explored this relationship in places with a tropical climate. Therefore, this study's main objective is to understand the influence of wind direction on the orientation of the burrows of the armadillo species Dasypus novemcinctus, Cabassous tatouay and Euphractus sexcinctus, taking into account their length, depth and location in relation to the edge of forest remnants. Thus, this study will contribute to deepening knowledge of the ecology of these animals, which make an important contribution to ecosystem services in the Neotropical region.