Shedding light on a cryptic macropodid: home ranges and habitat preferences of translocated western brush wallabies (Notamacropus irma)

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leticia F. Povh ◽  
Roberta Bencini ◽  
Brian K. Chambers ◽  
Tracey L. Kreplins ◽  
Nicole Willers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Gps Collars ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
Form Part ◽  
Western Australian ◽  
Short Term Survival

A salvage translocation of western brush wallabies (Notamacropus irma (Jourdan, 1837)) was a condition of approval to build a new runway at Jandakot Airport, Western Australia. Since little is known about this endemic Western Australian species, the translocation presented a valuable opportunity to gain information on the species after release into Harry Waring Marsupial Reserve, a 260-ha reserve where these animals had been recorded previously. We aimed to gain information on the biology and ecology of the species and follow the movement of individuals tracked with Global Positioning System (GPS) collars over six months to determine their short-term survival, home-range establishment, overlap in home range between individuals, and habitat utilisation in the reserve. Weekly mean home-range estimates did not differ between males (10.0±9.7 (s.d.) ha, 95% KDE, n=6) and females (12.1±6.1 (s.d.) ha, 95% KDE, n=5) (P=0.473). Some males had 67–70% overlap in home ranges with some females, but substantial distances maintained between individuals (from 123±110m to 292±303m) confirmed the solitary nature of the species. Western brush wallabies preferred Banksia spp. woodlands, possibly due to the availability of canopy cover, and some specific understorey associations, such as Hibbertia hypericoides, that form part of their diet. Our study highlighted the importance of understanding the home-range establishment and vegetation preferences of translocated animals that will inform the planning of future translocations.

Movements and habitat selection by wild dogs in eastern Victoria

2010 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Robley ◽  
Andrew Gormley ◽  
David M. Forsyth ◽  
Alan N. Wilton ◽  
Danielle Stephens
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Global Positioning System ◽  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
Wild Dog ◽  
Wild Dogs

To investigate movements and habitat selection by wild dogs we attached satellite-linked global positioning system (GPS) units to nine wild dogs (Canis lupus dingo and Canis lupus familiaris) captured in eastern Victoria in summer 2007. Units estimated locations at 30-min intervals for the first six months and then at 480-min intervals for six more months. DNA testing revealed all these wild dogs to be related. Home ranges of males were almost three times larger than those of females (males: 124.3 km2 ± 56.3, n = 4; females: 45.2 km2 ± 17.3, n = 5) and both sexes preferred subalpine grassland, shrub or woodland at the landscape and home-range scales. Wild dogs were recorded more often than expected within 25 m of roads and less often than expected within 25 m of watercourses. Wild dogs displayed higher-velocity movements with shallow turning angles (generally forwards) that connected spatial and temporal clusters comprising slower-velocity, shorter, and sharper turning movements. One wild dog travelled 230 km in 9 days before returning to its home range and another travelled 105 km in 87 days. The home-range sizes reported in this study are much larger than previously reported in south-eastern Australia. This finding, together with previous studies, suggests that the spatial scale at which wild dog management occurs needs to be reconsidered.

Den use, home range and territoriality of the koomal (Trichosurus vulpecula hypoleucus) with implications for current forest management strategies

2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennyffer Cruz ◽  
Duncan R. Sutherland ◽  
Luke K.-P. Leung
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Spatial Dynamics ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Trichosurus Vulpecula ◽  
Jarrah Forest ◽  
Den Use ◽  
Western Australian ◽  
Eucalyptus Wandoo ◽  
Near Threatened

The koomal (Trichosurus vulpecula hypoleucus) is a declining subspecies (‘near-threatened’), residing largely within the Western Australian jarrah forest, a forest managed for both conservation and for forestry (roughly half is available for logging). Information on the spatial dynamics of koomal is essential to evaluating whether logging prescriptions provide adequate protection for this threatened species. Here we describe the home range and territoriality of koomal, as well as the characteristics and use of their den trees, at multiple sites within the jarrah forest. We also compare the characteristics of den trees used by koomal against logging prescriptions and previous models that estimate availability of den trees. Results suggested that koomal home ranges varied between sites and sexes, with males having the larger home ranges. Koomal also maintained exclusive core territories, probably to protect their den trees from same-sex individuals. Den trees used by koomal had similar characteristics to those outlined in logging prescriptions, but also included two additional characteristics that may improve the retention of trees suitable for koomal: den trees were preferentially of marri (Corymbia calophylla) and wandoo (Eucalyptus wandoo) species, and had some level of canopy connectivity. Overall, findings from this study should help future evaluations of the effectiveness of logging prescriptions in providing adequate den availability for koomal.

At home in a new range: wild red deer in south-eastern Queensland

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matt Amos ◽  
Greg Baxter ◽  
Neal Finch ◽  
Peter Murray
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Gps Collars ◽  
Deer Density ◽  
Review Management ◽  
Movement Parameters ◽  
Local Convex

Context Wild deer are increasing worldwide and, in Australia, prompting land managers to review management strategies. Management activities may be ineffective without a sound understanding of the ecology of the species. No peer-reviewed research has been published for wild red deer in Australia, where they have been introduced. Aims To help land managers gain an understanding of some movement parameters of introduced wild red deer out of their natural range. Methods GPS collars were used to obtain movement rates (m h–1), annual home range using three estimators and seasonal home range using the Local Convex Hull estimator. Key findings Deer at our study site displayed typical crepuscular movements. However, the lack of elevated activity for stags in summer varies greatly to reports from overseas. The annual home range of hinds was much smaller than that of stags. Large differences for seasonal home ranges from the same deer for two winters suggest that seasonal conditions may exert a large influence on the size of home ranges. The home ranges of deer at our study site were comparable with the largest reported in European studies, but the relationship between deer density and home-range area was markedly different. Conclusions It appears that Australian wild red deer behave differently from their European conspecifics for several important movement parameters. Wild stags did not display the high levels of movement activity in summer, like those in Europe, and the home-range areas of our deer were very large for the high densities we encountered compared with overseas reports. Implications Targeted management of hinds may prove beneficial as hinds had a much smaller and continuous home range than stags. If managers want to target stags, there is only a short rut period when they continually associate with hinds and that may be the most efficacious time for control. Additionally, future research may need to explore the link between home range and deer density, and the effect of variation in rainfall on home range and movement of wild red deer which may influence management activities more than do the regular seasonal patterns found in Europe.

scholarly journals Bandicoots return to Booderee: initial survival, dispersal, home range and habitat preferences of reintroduced southern brown bandicoots (eastern sub species; Isoodon obesulus obesulus)

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 132 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. M. Robinson ◽  
C. I. MacGregor ◽  
B. A. Hradsky ◽  
N. Dexter ◽  
D. B. Lindenmayer
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
National Park ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Eastern Australia

Context Reintroductions can be an effective means of re-establishing locally extinct or declining faunal populations. However, incomplete knowledge of variables influencing survival and establishment can limit successful outcomes. Aim We aimed to examine the factors (e.g. sex, body mass, release order) influencing the survival, dispersal, home range and habitat selection of reintroduced southern brown bandicoots (eastern subspecies; Isoodon obesulus obesulus) into an unfenced, predator-managed environment in south-eastern Australia (Booderee National Park). Methods Over 2 weeks in May 2016, six female and five male bandicoots were wild-caught in state forest and hard released into the park. Release locations were approximately evenly distributed between three primary vegetation types assessed as suitable habitat: heath, woodland and forest. Bandicoots were radio-tracked day and night for 4 weeks from the initial release date. Key results No mortality was detected. Males dispersed more than twice as far as females (male 704 m, female 332 m), but there was no significant sex bias in home range size. At the landscape scale, bandicoots preferentially selected home ranges that contained heath and avoided forest. Within home ranges, heath and woodland were both favoured over forest. Conclusions Post-release dispersal is sex-biased, but more data are required to determine the influence of other predictors such as body mass and release order. Within the release area, bandicoots favoured non-forest vegetation types. Implications Our study outlines factors influencing the establishment of reintroduced bandicoots. We recommend that future bandicoot reintroductions to Booderee National Park occur within areas of heath and woodland, and that subsequent releases consider the potentially larger spatial requirements and conspecific avoidance among male bandicoots. Our findings contribute new knowledge for improving translocation methods of a nationally endangered medium-sized mammal.

scholarly journals Spatial ecology of Paraguay’s last remaining Atlantic forest jaguars (Panthera onca): implications for their long-term survival

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy T McBride ◽  
Jeffrey J Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Panthera Onca ◽  
Landscape Matrix ◽  
Term Survival

AbstractUsing GPS telemetry we quantified space use and movements of jaguar (Panthera onca) in remnant populations in the Paraguayan Atlantic forest within a comparative context with populations in the Argentine and Brazilian Atlantic forest. Mean estimated home range size was 160 km2; estimated to be nearly equal to jaguars in the Morro do Diabo State Park in Brazil but jaguars in other populations in Argentina and Brazil had a 73% (Iguazú/Iguaçu national park complex) and 96% (Ivinhema State Park) probability of having larger home ranges. We found no relationship between home range size or movements and human population or the Human Footprint Index, while 75% of locations from all individuals were in protected areas. Our data and analysis highlight the dependence of Atlantic forest jaguars on protected areas, an avoidance of the landscape matrix and an extreme isolation of the remaining Paraguayan Atlantic forest jaguars.

Home-range size and habitat selection by American marten (Martes americana) in Labrador

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (9) ◽  
pp. 1602-1609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam C Smith ◽  
James A Schaefer
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Martes Americana ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
American Marten ◽  
Tree Species Composition

Variation in home-range size can be related to different factors at different spatial scales. This study examined the patterns of home-range size and habitat selection of American marten (Martes americana) in southeastern Labrador, a region of extensive and pristine forests. Over 1.5 years, we monitored 28 radio-collared marten and compared the availability of habitat types with their use. Marten avoided areas with low productivity and low canopy cover (<20%) but showed no selection for tree species composition or cover among more productive forests. Mean home ranges for both sexes (males, 45.0 km2; females, 27.6 km2) were exceptionally large, more than double the largest values previously recorded for the species. We analyzed variation in home-range size at two scales: within our study population and, using data from the literature, among populations across the species range in relation to temperature, snow cover, and body size. Within our population, home-range area was positively related to the proportion of bog and less productive, scrub forests in the home range. Among populations, differences in home-range size were not significantly related to any of the tested factors.

scholarly journals Landscape use by fishers (Pekania pennanti): core areas differ in habitat than the entire home range

2021 ◽  
pp. 289-297
Author(s):  
Jennifer R. Kordosky ◽  
Eric M. Gese ◽  
Craig M. Thompson ◽  
Patricia A. Terletzky ◽  
Kathryn L. Purcell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Road Density ◽  
Pekania Pennanti ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Sierra Nevada Mountains ◽  
Core Areas

Home ranges have long been studied in animal ecology. Core areas may be used at a greater proportion than the rest of the home range, implying the core contains dependable resources. The Pacific fisher (Pekania pennanti (Erxleben, 1777)) is a rare mesocarnivore occupying a small area in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA. Once statewide, fishers declined in the 1900s due to trapping, habitat fragmentation, and development. Recently, drought induced by climate change may be affecting this population. We examined space use of fishers in their core versus their home range for levels of anthropogenic modifications (housing density, road density, silvicultural treatments), habitat types, and tree mortality. We found core areas contained more late-successional forest and minimal human activity compared with their territory. Their core had higher levels of dense canopy and higher amounts of conifer cover, while minimizing the amount of buildings, developed habitat, and low canopy cover. Fishers may in effect be seeking refugia by minimizing their exposure to these elements in their core. Conserving landscape components used by fishers in their core areas will be important for the persistence of this isolated population.

Home range, habitat use and movements by the little raven (Corvus mellori) in a coastal peri-urban landscape

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Desley A. Whisson ◽  
Michael A. Weston ◽  
Kelly Shannon
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Coastal Wetland ◽  
Urban Landscape ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Convex Polygons ◽  
Natural Habitats

Context In peri-urban environments, high availability of anthropogenic resources may result in relatively high abundances of some species, with potentially negative implications for other native biota. Effective management of such impacts requires understanding of the spatial ecology of problem species. However, home range and habitat use have not been described for the little raven (Corvus mellori), a superabundant native predator that occurs in urban and natural habitats, including those where threatened shorebirds breed. Aims The aim of this study was to provide basic information on little raven home range, habitat use and movements in a coastal peri-urban landscape. Methods Between October 2011 and January 2012 we radio-tracked 20 little ravens captured in a coastal wetland (near Melbourne, Australia). Key results Little ravens were highly mobile, moving up to 9.9 km in an hour (median = 2 km), and had large ranges: Minimum Convex Polygons were 1664–9989 ha (median = 3362 ha). Although most birds used both anthropogenic and natural habitats, some birds strongly selected for coastal wetland habitat. Birds used multiple roosts during the study period, most of which occurred in grassland (58.7%) or urban (22.3%) areas. Movement of up to 8.3 km (median = 2.2 km) between roosts during the night was also detected. Conclusions Ravens were highly mobile and used large home ranges and a variety of habitats, with habitat preferences varying between birds. Implications Considering the large home ranges and inter-individual variation in habitat preferences of little raven populations, localised management to reduce their impacts on breeding shorebirds is unlikely to be successful.

Home range and activity patterns measured with GPS collars in spotted-tailed quolls

2015 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerhard Körtner ◽  
Nerida Holznagel ◽  
Peter J. S. Fleming ◽  
Guy Ballard
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Population Densities ◽  
Gps Collars ◽  
Daytime Activity ◽  
Unidirectional Movement ◽  
Conservation Effort

The spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) is the largest marsupial carnivore on mainland Australia. It usually occurs at relatively low population densities and its cryptic nature makes it exceedingly difficult to observe in its natural habitat. On the mainland the species is also listed as nationally endangered and more information is needed to direct any meaningful conservation effort. In this study we aimed to elucidate quolls’ spatial requirements and activity patterns using GPS collars on 10 males and 4 females. Quolls were predominantly nocturnal but some individuals showed pronounced daytime activity. There was no apparent seasonal shift in the timing of activity. The movement of quolls appeared to be confined to home ranges that were relatively large for predators of their size. Furthermore, males used home ranges about three times as large as that of the smaller females. There appeared to be some spatial segregation between not only females, which have been considered territorial, but also males. Overall, it is likely that the larger areas used by males is partly caused by the sexual dimorphism in body mass that entails differences in prey requirements and spectrum, but probably is also a function of a promiscuous mating system. All of these could explain the observed more unidirectional movement and larger distances travelled per day by males.

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