Multi-year assessment of variability in spatial and social relationships in a subterranean rodent, the highland tuco-tuco (Ctenomys opimus)

Abstract In some species, populations routinely contain a mixture of lone and group-living individuals. Such facultative sociality may reflect individual differences in behavior as well adaptive responses to variation local environmental conditions. To explore interactions between individual- population-level variabilities species provisionally described facultatively social, we examined spatial social relationships within population highland tuco-tucos ( Ctenomys opimus ) at Laguna de los Pozuelos, Jujuy Province, Argentina. Using data collected over 5 consecutive years, sought (1) confirm the regular occurrence both individuals (2) characterize temporal consistency relationships. Our analyses revealed that although study typically contained animals, varied markedly time. Specifically, extent which remained resident same location across years varied, did number conspecifics with an animal lived, overall tendency for live larger groups successive years. Collectively, these indicate patterns C. are consistent but this does not arise due persistent (i.e., living alone versus conspecifics). Instead, based on changes suggest is shaped primarily by ecological demographic Significance statement Characterizing conspecific critical understanding bases behavior. from northern addition providing first multi-year assessment demography our generate important insights into organization. The behavioral variability evident suggests ideal system causes consequences