| dc.description.abstract | Knowledge of the biology of mole-rats is
very limited: This thesis aims to present a largely
comparative account of some aspects of the biology
of three widely divergent genera of East African
mole-rats. A comparative study is particularly
interesting because of the diverse phylogenetic
origens and social structure of these mole-rats.
Of the three genera, Tachyoryctes (Family
Rhizomyidae), Heliophobius and Heterocephalus
(Family Bathyergidae- )two are solitary aggress ( animals and the third Heterocephalus)is colonial.
2) This thesis{is based on data from material
dissected in the laboratory, on field observations
and on the study of captive animalse
3) Remarkable similarities are found both in
the method of digging and in the burrow systems
of the .three genera. Dissimilarities in burrow
pattern and length can be largely attributed
to the different habitats and food requirements
of the three genera. More marked dissimilarities,
particularly in the function and structure of the
nest chamber and in the method of soil transportation | en |
