The ecology of small mammals in the semiarid Brazilian Caatinga. V. Agonistic behavior and overview

Abstract

Basic agonistic behavior repertoires are described for Caatinga species. The results of interspecific encounters suggest that behavioral interactions contribute to the main- tenance of observed distributional patterns; Galea spixii is actively excluded from gran- itic habitats by Kerodon rupestris. Analyses of water conservation capabilities, reproductive and population parameters, and distribution patterns indicate that the caviomorph rodents and marsupials, in gen- eral, exhibit a higher level of adaptation to the Caatinga than do the murid rodents.