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Colony and social structure of the Ghana mole-rat (Cryptomys zechi, Matchie) (Rodentia: Bathyergidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 December 2001

S. Yeboah  and
K. B. Dakwa
S. Yeboah
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
K. B. Dakwa
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
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Abstract

Some aspects of the colony and social structure of the Ghana mole-rat Cryptomys zechi were studied in a mesic Guinea savanna woodland in Ghana. Colony size ranged between one and seven (average 3.6). The mean adult body weight was 217.9 g and the colony biomass was 634 g. Responsibility for colony safety in C. zechi, as revealed from order of capture in response to damage to the burrow system, is age dependent, with sub-adults being the most frequent repairers. There are indications that male workers are more involved in colony maintenance than females and that the reproductive individuals, especially the males, perform little work. We discuss the finding that C. zechi although a social bathyergid, is close to the bottom of the sociality ladder.

Keywords

mole-ratGhanaCryptomys zechicolony sizesocial structure
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Zoology , Volume 256 , Issue 1 , January 2002 , pp. 85 - 91
Copyright
© 2002 The Zoological Society of London

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