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Den characteristics and ecological significance of Marmota himalayana on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
  • Shulin Wang,
  • Fujiang Hou
Shulin Wang

Corresponding Author:wangshl18@lzu.edu.cn

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Fujiang Hou
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Abstract

Dens are places for cavernicolous animals to hibernate, reproduce, and avoid predators and harsh weather conditions, and thus they have a vital impact on their survival. M. himalayana is the main large cavernicolous rodent on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The analysis of den traits and their ecological functions can reveal mechanisms by which marmots have adapted to their environment, which is important for further understanding the ecological significance of this species. From July to August 2019 (warm season), we used unmanned aerial vehicles to fly at low altitudes and slow speeds to locate 131 marmot burrows (45 on shaded slopes, 51 on sunny slopes, and 35 on flat areas) in the northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. We then measured the physical characteristics (den density, entrance size, first tunnel length, volume, orientation and plant characteristics near the den entrance) of these dens on site. The physical parameters of the M. himalayana dens showed that they function to protect the marmots from natural enemies and bad weather, provide good drainage, and maintain a stable microclimate around the entrance. This is a result of the marmot’s adaptation to the harsh environment (cold and humidity) of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
10 Dec 2020Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
12 Dec 2020Submission Checks Completed
12 Dec 2020Assigned to Editor
14 Jan 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
02 Feb 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
03 Feb 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
11 Mar 20211st Revision Received
11 Mar 2021Assigned to Editor
11 Mar 2021Submission Checks Completed
11 Mar 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
12 Mar 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
22 Apr 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
04 May 20212nd Revision Received
05 May 2021Assigned to Editor
05 May 2021Submission Checks Completed
05 May 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 May 2021Editorial Decision: Accept