Ecosystem engineering in a high and cold desert: Effect of a subterranean rodent on lizard abundance and behaviour

Subterranean rodents are often considered as ecosystem engineers because they physically modify the surrounding environment due to their burrowing and foraging activities. Understanding the modifications that ecosystem engineering species exert on the environment are of crucial importance in ecology studies, since they may affect the structure and population dynamics of several species, including lizards. Thus, the objective of the present study is to test the effect that Ctenomys mendocinus exert in the abundance of Liolaemus ruibali and its escape behaviour, in a high‐elevation desert. Lizard abundance was estimated using observation transects and escape behaviour was studied with an experiment where the observer was considered by lizards as a potential predator and distance before the lizard flees was measured. All the variables were compared between areas disturbed by C. mendocinus and undisturbed ones. We found that L. ruibali was favoured by C. mendocinus activity. By creating burrow systems that serve as refuges for lizards, this rodent species increases the abundance of L. ruibali and reduces its flight distance, thereby improving its escape performance. We may suggest that C. mendocinus, through the construction of burrow systems, would be acting as an ecosystem engineer in Puna desert, affecting L. ruibali ecology. Resumen Los roedores subterráneos con frecuencia son considerados ingenieros del ecosistema porque modifican físicamente el ambiente circundante debido a su actividad de excavación y forrajeo. Comprender las modificaciones que ejercen las especies ingenieras del ecosistema sobre las condiciones del medio ambiente es de crucial importancia en ecología, ya que pueden afectar la estructura y dinámica poblacional de varias especies, incluidas las lagartijas. Por lo tanto, el objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar el efecto que produce Ctenomys mendocinus sobre la abundancia de Liolaemus ruibali y su comportamiento de escape, en un desierto de altura. La abundancia de lagartijas se estimó utilizando transectas de observación y el comportamiento de escape se estudió con un experimento donde el observador fue considerado por las lagartijas como un potencial predador y se midió la distancia previa a la huida. Todas las variables fueron comparadas entre áreas disturbadas por C. mendocinus y áreas sin disturbio. Encontramos que L. ruibali fue favorecida por la actividad de C. mendocinus. Al crear los sistemas de galería que sirven como refugi