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The ecophysiology of the Cape ground squirrel Xerus inauris
Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 1991.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2022
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| _version_ | 1867613481737388032 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Skinner, J.D. (John Dawson), 1932- |
| author_browse | Skinner, J.D. (John Dawson), 1932- |
| author_facet | Skinner, J.D. (John Dawson), 1932- |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2020 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 1991. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/85278 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:36:50.456Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2022 |
| publishDateRange | 2022 |
| publishDateSort | 2022 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/85278 The ecophysiology of the Cape ground squirrel Xerus inauris Skinner, J.D. (John Dawson), 1932- Rasa, O.A.E. Knight, Antje Klamer UCTD Ecophysiology Cape ground squirrel Xerus inauris Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 1991. Cape ground squirrels, Xerus inauris, are successful rodents of the southern African arid sub-region, living in burrows, exchanging the macro-climate for the micro-climate whenever the first becomes difficult. Several facets of their behaviour, thermoregulation, water balance and gut morphology were investigated and correlated with the climate and vegetation in the southern Kalahari. They are diurnal and live in social groups, raise altricial young, show signs of cooperative breeding, have female matriarchal systems and bachelor groups. The home range shapes were influenced by the dune topography of the study area. Although no specific evidence of gut specialization was found, they have a complex stomach, enlarged caecum and feed selectively on the most nutritious foodstuffs from a central place. The kidneys control water flux so that concentrated urine is excreted. X. inauris do not hibernate or estivate, but they do become hyperthermic during exposure to heat and show tendencies towards hypothermia when placed under low temperatures. Groups of squirrels huddle and bask during winter to counteract the cold, and during summer a parasol tail is used as a shading mechanism and excess heat is offloaded during sand bathing. Zoology and Entomology PhD Unrestricted 2022-05-17T11:19:48Z 2022-05-17T11:19:48Z 2021/10/11 1991 Thesis * https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/85278 en © 2020 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Ecophysiology Cape ground squirrel Xerus inauris The ecophysiology of the Cape ground squirrel Xerus inauris |
| title | The ecophysiology of the Cape ground squirrel Xerus inauris |
| title_full | The ecophysiology of the Cape ground squirrel Xerus inauris |
| title_fullStr | The ecophysiology of the Cape ground squirrel Xerus inauris |
| title_full_unstemmed | The ecophysiology of the Cape ground squirrel Xerus inauris |
| title_short | The ecophysiology of the Cape ground squirrel Xerus inauris |
| title_sort | ecophysiology of the cape ground squirrel xerus inauris |
| topic | UCTD Ecophysiology Cape ground squirrel Xerus inauris |
| url | https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/85278 |