Dulce Robles Martinez

Dulce's Master's Research

Much of what is known about the locomotor capabilities of the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris, SMHM) has been inferred based on its preferred microhabitat within the San Francisco Estuary. This mouse remains in areas affected by temporal tidal inundation (Smith et al. 2014). This behavior contrasts with co-occurring rodents that move inland into adjacent grasslands during periods of high tide. It may be that the salt marsh harvest mouse climbs the emergent vegetation as means to survive flooding. Aspects of the rodents’ morphology and climbing performance should indicate their locomotor preference. We are conducting a comparative morphological and climbing performance study of the SMHM and co-occurring rodent species (western harvest mouse, house mouse, and California vole). More specifically, we are be characterizing the foot pad shape using two dimensional geometric morphometrics. For climbing performance, we are quantifying tail use and different gait kinematics (such as gait patterns, stride length, stride frequency, and velocity) during climbing bouts along wooden dowels of different orientations and sizes. This will allow us to see how the rodents modulate their locomotor behavior across different types of terrains. Ultimately, comparing the foot morphology and climbing performance of these rodents will help us understand how the salt marsh harvest mouse is adapted and able to survive in its dynamic wetland environment.

Dulce in action...