The Ecology of the White-throated Woodrat: Reviewing Theories and Exploring Possible Adaptive Strategies

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dc.contributor.authorCarlisle, Michelleen
dc.contributor.committeechairTrauger, David L.en
dc.contributor.committeememberHuff, Jane N.en
dc.contributor.committeememberEvans, Gary R.en
dc.contributor.committeememberKelly, Marcella J.en
dc.contributor.departmentNatural Resourcesen
dc.date.accessioned2014-03-14T20:57:33Zen
dc.date.adate2004-03-26en
dc.date.available2014-03-14T20:57:33Zen
dc.date.issued2004-02-23en
dc.date.rdate2012-06-22en
dc.date.sdate2004-03-15en
dc.description.abstractThe white-throated woodrat, Neotoma albigula, is a desert rodent, common in the southwestern United States. This species relies on behavioral and physiological adaptations in order to cope with a desert environment. The physiological adaptations of the white-throated woodrat prevent the animal from overheating but do not promote water conservation. The woodratâ s ability to survive in an environment with little water is attributed to behavioral modification, primarily food choice and nocturnality. However, it is possible that the white-throated woodrat may use other survival strategies that are not currently known. Although much of the literature regarding the white-throated woodrat promotes the idea that the species is dependant on cactus as a source of food that provides water, I observed a population of white-throated woodrats that survived in the absence of cactus. After making observations on this population, I reviewed the literature that pertained to the white-throated woodrat and similar species and used my own observations to explore means by which the white-throated woodrat may be surviving in desert environments. Review of the literature of N. albigula and the genus Neotoma suggests that there is tremendous variation among woodrat populations. I propose that woodrat populations are highly individualized and are very responsive to their environment.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Natural Resourcesen
dc.identifier.otheretd-03152004-160413en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-03152004-160413/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/37072en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.relation.haspartN.albigula16.pdfen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectdeserten
dc.subjectadaptationen
dc.subjectNeotoma albigulaen
dc.subjectwoodratsen
dc.subjectNeotomaen
dc.titleThe Ecology of the White-throated Woodrat: Reviewing Theories and Exploring Possible Adaptive Strategiesen
dc.typeMajor paperen
thesis.degree.disciplineNatural Resourcesen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Natural Resourcesen

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