The Biology of the Ground Parrot, Pezoporus wallicus, in Queensland. II. Spacing, Calling and Breeding Behaviour

1991 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 185 ◽  
Author(s):  
DC McFarland
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Dominance Hierarchy ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Nest Density ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Dominance Status ◽  
Breeding Behaviour ◽  
Egg Failure ◽  
Individual Rank ◽  
Main Factor

The spacing, calling and breeding behaviour of ground parrots in Cooloola National Park was studied over three years. Despite having overlapping home ranges, individual parrots maintain a solitary existence, the inter-bird distance averaging 106 m. No aggressive behaviour was ever recorded. Calling was restricted to before sunrise and after sunset; it comprised whistling notes mostly in variable ascending scales. Four call types were used throughout the year, and three others only in the breeding season. Light intensity appears to be the main factor determining when calling starts and finishes; parrot density influences the rate of calling by individuals. Calling may be used to advertise dominance status and location of an individual. The formation of a dominance hierarchy would enable several birds to use the same area, individual rank determining priority of access to the spatially and temporally variable seed resources. Ground parrots bred in spring, the clutch size was either three or four. Nests were found only on the ground under vegetation in dry parts of heathlands that had not been burnt for at least 3-4 years. Minimum nest density ranged between 1.0 and 1.3 nests per 10 ha. Only the female incubated the eggs, the male provided all food to both the female and chicks. On average a pair produced 1.9 fledglings per nest each year. An unusually high rate of egg failure (22-31%) appears to be typical for this species.

Ecology and population biology of long-nosed bandicoots (Perameles nasuta) at North Head, Sydney Harbour National Park

1999 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 805 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. K. Scott ◽  
I. D. Hume ◽  
C. R. Dickman
Keyword(s):  
Population Biology ◽  
National Park ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Active Management ◽  
Motor Vehicles ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Introduced Predators ◽  
Sydney Harbour

The population biology, habitat utilisation and diet of a small, isolated population of long-nosed bandicoots (Perameles nasuta) was studied over a 22-month period at North Head in Sydney Harbour National Park, New South Wales. Reproductive output in this urban environment was high, with a mean litter size of 2.3 and production of up to four litters per year. The peak of reproductive activity was in late spring and early summer, with a cessation of breeding in late autumn or early winter. The main causes of death were identified as road trauma (58% – probably an overestimate because of the ease of finding road deaths) and predation by cats and foxes (37% – probably an underestimate because of the difficulty of locating carcasses unless radio-collared). Bandicoots utilised all macrohabitats (open grassed areas, heath, forest, swamp and scrub), but extensively used open grassed areas for foraging. Males had larger home ranges (4.4 ± 0.8 ha) than females (1.7 ± 0.2 ha). The largest home ranges of males coincided with the peak of the breeding season (September–November). Throughout the year P. nasuta fed primarily on beetles, invertebrate larvae and ants, but also on other invertebrates and on plant and fungal material. Some vertebrate and human- derived material (birdseed, vegetable scraps, plastic, twine) was also eaten. Although remarkably adaptable in its reproductive and dietary strategies, this population of long-nosed bandicoots is likely to follow other urban bandicoot populations toward extinction unless there is active management to reduce the high rate of mortality from motor vehicles and introduced predators.

Dominance and Its Fitness Consequences in American Bison Cows

Behaviour ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 96 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 62-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allen T. Rutberg
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Dominance Hierarchy ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Bison Bison ◽  
Female Reproduction ◽  
Dominance Status ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Dominance Relations ◽  
Fitness Consequences ◽  
Foraging Time

Abstract1. Dominance relations among adult female American bison (Bison bison) were studied between June 1980 and August 1982 at the National Bison Range, Moiese, Montana, and Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, U.S.A. 2. Contested interactions, or "battles", between cows were rare at both sites. Only one of 362 observed interactions among known Bison Range cows was contested, and only four such interactions were observed during the entire study. 3. Among Bison Range cows, reversals of dominance status within dyads occurred at an extrapolated rate of once every 7.5 dyad-years. 4. Success in aggressive encounters between Bison Range cows was strongly, positively correlated with age, but uncorrelated with body weight or horn damage. Hence, dominance appears to be poorly correlated with fighting ability. Instead, dominance may be determined by cost-benefit asymmetries; older cows may have less to lose from aggression than younger cows. 5. The cow dominance "hierarchy" at the Bison Range does not show a higher degree of linearity than expected given the age-dominance correlation. 6. At neither Yellowstone nor the Bison Range was there evidence of aggressive inhibition of female reproduction, or of harassment of calves by dominant cows. 7. In a variety of environments, a cow that received aggression during foraging suffered a reduction in the proportion of foraging time she spent cropping. Since aggression frequencies varied considerably between habitats, however, the influence of dominance on cropping times also varied between habitats. 8. Aggression frequencies were highest in habitats where forage was sparse and heterogeneous in quality. Accordingly, aggression was most frequent, and probably had the strongest effects on feeding efficiency, in habitats where there was significant travel time between suitable grazing patches.

scholarly journals Patterns of Diversity and Distribution of Arboreal Social Bees’ Beehives within Chimpanzees’ Home Range in a Forest-Savanna Mosaic (Comoé National Park, Côte d’Ivoire)

Sociobiology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 480
Author(s):  
Angele Nicodenin Soro ◽  
Juan Lapuente ◽  
Abduoulaye Ngolo Kone ◽  
Kolo Yeo ◽  
Souleymane Konate
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Secondary Forest ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Gallery Forest ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Social Bees ◽  
Mature Forest ◽  
Forest Island ◽  
Forest Habitats

The goal of this study was to explain the patterns of diversity and distribution of arboreal social bees nesting in forest habitats of the Comoé National park, within the home-ranges of wild chimpanzees that consume their honey. Investigations were done using a total sixteen plots, one hectare each, established in three habitat types (mature forest island, secondary forest island and gallery forest). The diversity and distribution of arboreal social bees was estimated with visuals searches. The exploitation of the beehives of these bee by the chimpanzees was also evaluated using chimpanzees’ honey dipping tools as indicators. Results revealed five bees’ species belonging to two tribes; Meliponini (Meliponula ferruginea, Meliponula togoensis, Meliponula bocandei, Hypotrigona gribodoi) and Apini (Apis mellifera). Frequent exploitation of the honey of stingless bees by the chimpanzees was observed, except for H. gribodoi. Meliponula ferruginea was the most exploited species by chimpanzees. A total of 114 beehives were found in the overall established plots leading to an estimated density of 2.4 beehives/ha in the study area. Among the surveyed habitats, mature forest island was found to harbor the highest beehive density (4.2 beehives/ha), followed respectively by secondary-forest island (1.9 beehives/ha) and gallery forest (1.1 beehives/ha). Finally, all bee species were found nesting in cavities of trees with a DBH ranging from 15 to 87.3 cm, with a special preference for Dialium guinneense. However, the DBH of nesting trees and beehives’ height, measured from the ground level, did not significantly influence the honey exploitation by chimpanzees. In sum bee species diversity and distribution might be important in the survival of chimpanzees of a forest savanna landscape.

scholarly journals Home range sizes for burchell's zebra equus burchelli antiquorum from the Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽  
1975 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
G.L. Smuts
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
National Park ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Equus Burchelli ◽  
Kruger Park ◽  
Mean Size ◽  
Large Home Range ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Specific Tolerance

Annual home range sizes were determined for 49 marked zebra family groups in the Kruger National Park. Sizes varied from 49 to 566 sq. km, the mean for the Park being 164 square kilometre. Mean home range sizes for different zebra sub-populations and biotic areas were found to differ considerably. Present herbivore densities have not influenced intra- and inter-specific tolerance levels to the extent that home range sizes have increased. Local habitat conditions, and particularly seasonal vegetational changes, were found to have the most profound influence on the shape and mean size of home ranges. The large home range sizes obtained in the Kruger Park, when compared to an area such as the Ngorongoro Crater, can be ascribed to a lower carrying capacity with respect to zebra, large portions of the habitat being sub-optimal, either seasonally or annually.

Behavioural responses of lynx to declining snowshoe hare abundance

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (12) ◽  
pp. 2817-2824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard M. P. Ward ◽  
Charles J. Krebs
Keyword(s):  
Home Range Size ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Snowshoe Hare ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Lynx Lynx ◽  
Lynx Canadensis ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Straight Line ◽  
Daily Travel

The behavioural responses of lynx (Lynx canadensis) to declines in snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) abundance were examined in the southwestern Yukon. Between April 1982 and June 1984, 11 lynx were radio tagged and monitored in and near the Kluane Game Sanctuary. Lynx home range size increased from 13.2 to 39.2 km2 concurrent with a decline in snowshoe hare abundance from 14.7 to 0.2 hares/ha. Below about 0.5 hares/ha, several lynx abandoned their home ranges and became nomadic, although they remained within the general study area. Lynx concentrated their foraging efforts in areas of relatively high snowshoe hare abundance and abandoned these areas after hares declined. Straight-line daily travel distance remained constant at 2.2−2.7 km/day above 1.0 hare/ha. Below 1.0 hares/ha, straight-line daily travel distances increased rapidly, reaching 5.5 km/day at 0.2 hares/ha. Three of seven radio-tagged lynx dispersed 250 km or more from the study area during the 1982 period of rapid hare decline. No similar long-distance emigrations were recorded after hare densities stabilized at less than 1.0 hares/ha. Trapping mortality was responsible for the loss of seven of nine radio-tagged lynx that travelled outside the game sanctuary. One lynx probably starved during the winter or spring of 1984. The high rate of trapping mortality outside the game sanctuary suggests that refugia in wilderness areas are important in maintaining lynx populations during periods of low recruitment.

Do kangaroos exhibit water-focused grazing patterns in arid New South Wales? A case study in Sturt National Park.

2004 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 87 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Montague-Drake ◽  
DB Croft
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Line Transect ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Infrared Sensors ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Transect Counts ◽  
Vegetation Surveys ◽  
Conservation Values ◽  
Artificial Watering

The density of kangaroos (Macropus spp.) within 5 km of current and former artificial watering points in Sturt National Park (NSW) was studied over a two-year period using the line transect method. Kangaroo densities were not significantly related to water proximity and did not significantly differ between open and closed watering points. Infrared sensors detected and counted kangaroo movements to and from artificial watering points and these were positively correlated with temperature. However, line transect counts did not reveal a shift in kangaroo distributions to water-proximate areas in warmer seasons. The results suggest that kangaroos travel to drink and then return to relatively stable home ranges that take advantage of sites offering the best grazing and resting opportunities. Vegetation surveys, using a wheel point device, revealed that the biomass of Atriplex spp. decreased significantly with increased proximity to artificial watering points, but the biomass of Poaceae spp. and numerous forbs did not. Vegetative diversity was unrelated to water proximity. Low vegetation biomass near artificial watering points in Sturt National Park may be more correctly attributed to the effects from past sheep-grazing pressure, than to any current grazing pressure. The implications of artificial watering point closure on conservation values and nature-based tourism are discussed.

scholarly journals Pengamatan Laju Penyakit White Syndrome Pada Montipora sp. Di Pulau Pramuka, Taman Nasional Laut Kepulauan Seribu, DKI Jakarta

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Abdur Rosyid ◽  
Oktiyas Muzaky Luthfi
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Coral Disease ◽  
Tissue Loss ◽  
Coral Tissue ◽  
Progression Rate ◽  
White Syndrome ◽  
Coral Surface ◽  
Pathogenic Vibrio ◽  
Imagej Software ◽  
Main Factor

Coral disease now became main factor of coral degradation in the world. There is still a few report about coral disease in Kepulauan Seribu Marine National Park (TNKPS) include of white syndrome (WS) in Montipora sp. WS was characterized by white area on coral surface at several stages. WS had caused coral tissue loss and leaved bare CaCO3 skeleton that was caused by pathogenic Vibrio coralliitycus associated with other microorganisms. In this study the progress of WS calculated by measurement of the distances of WS that moved from diseased to healty coral surface. All calculations was performed used ImageJ Software. Our result showed that WS progression rate in first week was 9.06 cm2 and the second week was 2.37 cm2. Total coral tissue mortality was 12.03% for 2 weeks.

scholarly journals Spatial dynamics and activity patterns of the fosa Cryptoprocta ferox in Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar: carnivores navigating a human-influenced landscape

Oryx ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 837-846
Author(s):  
Eileen Wyza ◽  
Luke Dollar ◽  
Leon Pierrot Rahajanirina ◽  
Viorel Popescu ◽  
Nancy J. Stevens
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Spatial Dynamics ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Gps Collars ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Cryptoprocta Ferox ◽  
Human Habitation

AbstractThe Vulnerable fosa Cryptoprocta ferox is the largest native carnivore in Madagascar, fulfilling a unique ecological niche in the island's remaining forests. Negative interactions with humans threaten the long-term viability of most remaining fosa populations across Madagascar. Threats to the fosa include habitat loss and persecution by humans resulting from perceived predation on domestic animals. We used GPS collars to record space use and activity patterns of five fosas in Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar, during the dry seasons of 2016 and 2017. The results, with up to 2,110 recorded locations per individual, indicated fosas’ home ranges and movements were not limited to the forest, and all collared individuals used networks of habitat patches and corridors to navigate deforested areas. The fosas studied in Ankarafantsika National Park had significantly larger home ranges than those reported in previous studies in other protected areas. They were rarely found within village boundaries and appeared to avoid areas of human habitation, suggesting that during the study period livestock was not a significant component of the fosas’ diet in this Park. Our results suggest that fosas have some flexibility that enables them to adapt to living near deforested and human-dominated areas by altering their space-use patterns, but they are compensating by increasing their home range size.

scholarly journals Male rock Hyraxes Procavia capensis return to former home ranges after translocation

Koedoe ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R.J.M Crawford
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
National Park ◽  
River Mouth ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Procavia Capensis

Feeding of rock hyraxes by tourists at the Storms River Mouth rest camp in the Tsitsikamma Coastal National Park, Republic of South Africa, has led to taming of the hyraxes, soliciting of food from tourists and occasionally to aggression resulting in tourists being bitten. As a result it was decided to capture and translocate a number of the tamer hyraxes during 1981. At the rest camp the hyraxes occur in well defined groupings (Fairall & Crawford 1983, S. Afr. J. Wildl. Res. 13: 25-26). All the animals caught were from the Sandbay - office group.

scholarly journals Will the Kafue Lechwe Survive the Kafue Dams?

Oryx ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 476-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Schuster
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Flood Control ◽  
Social Organisation ◽  
Breeding Behaviour ◽  
The World ◽  
Kafue Lechwe

In the early 1970s the huge lechwe herds gave the Kafue Flats in Zambia one of the highest carrying capacities in the world – an estimated 11,000kg per sq km. But these highly specialised antelopes depend on the annual floods of the Kafue river, to which particularly they have adapted their breeding behaviour and the leks in which they mate. Since the completion of two huge dams on the Kafue these floods are now controlled in the interests of making electricity, and not of the lechwe. The author, who studied the lechwe's social organisation and behaviour in the Lochinvar National Park, first describes the lechwe's remarkable lek system, how they are adapted to the floods to the point of being able to graze in water up to their shoulders, and the remarkable way in which they maximise the resources of the Flats. In the second part (page 481) he shows how the new flood control can disrupt their breeding behaviour and social organisation, which might lead to the extinction of the Kafue lechwe.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document