Space-use patterns by female striped skunks exposed to aggregations of simulated duck nests

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (9) ◽  
pp. 1604-1608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serge Larivière ◽  
François Messier
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Food Supplementation ◽  
Mephitis Mephitis ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Year Effect ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Range Overlap ◽  
Striped Skunks

We monitored space-use patterns and behaviour of female striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) during the spring and summer of 1995 simultaneously with the deployment of simulated duck nests (2.5–25/ha) in Saskatchewan, Canada. In 1995, home ranges of five female skunks averaged 2.3 km2 (SE = 0.5 km2), which was smaller (P = 0.01) than home ranges of females (n = 21) present in the same area in 1993–1994. Home-range overlap did not differ (P = 0.34) between 1993–1994 (71 ± 4%) and 1995 (75 ± 11%). Female skunks were nocturnal during all years, but were less active in 1995 than in 1993–1994 (P < 0.01). Patterns of habitat selection differed during the nest experiment: managed waterfowl-nesting areas were used less than wetlands in 1993–1994, but no significant difference in use of these two habitats was detected in 1995. Although we cannot ascertain a direct cause-and-effect relationship, owing to a possible year effect, the changes in space-use patterns of striped skunks exposed to aggregations of simulated nests are consistent with the literature on food-supplementation experiments. These results re-emphasize the importance of food in determining the space-use patterns of striped skunks.

Space use and the social system of muskrats

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. 869-875 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lui Marinelli ◽  
François Messier
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Social System ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Social Unit ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Adult Sex Ratio ◽  
Range Overlap

We investigated the space-use patterns of adult muskrats in a small (77 ha) marsh on the Canadian Prairies during two breeding seasons. During the study, population size was relatively low and the adult sex ratio was biased towards females. Adult muskrats were territorial with little intrasexual home-range overlap. The exclusivity of home ranges was maintained throughout the breeding season, and appeared to decrease at the end of the season. Male movements often extended over the territory of more than one female, but the overlap was more extensive with primary than with secondary females. Lactation appeared to reduce the space use and mobility of female muskrats. Male muskrats tended to range over smaller areas when weaned young were present within their home range. The results suggest that the sexual pair is the basic social unit of muskrats but that polygyny was common. A female-biased sex ratio appeared to be responsible for the tendency of males to mate polygynously during this study, thus illustrating the plasticity of this social system.

Habitat selection and use of edges by striped skunks in the Canadian prairies

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 366-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serge Larivière ◽  
François Messier
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Mephitis Mephitis ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
Habitat Patches ◽  
South Central ◽  
Striped Skunks ◽  
Ground Nesting

During 1993-1994, we radio-tracked 21 female and 5 male striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in south-central Saskatchewan, Canada, to assess their patterns of habitat selection. Home ranges of both sexes contained more areas managed for nesting waterfowl and less woodland than the overall study area. When foraging within their home ranges, striped skunks used more wetland and woodland and less cropland relative to other habitat types (managed nesting areas, rights-of-way, farmsteads). Patterns of habitat selection by striped skunks were significantly but weakly correlated with abundance of insects and small mammals. Striped skunks selected undisturbed habitats where ground litter can accumulate, possibly because such habitats also harbor a greater abundance of prey. Our results support the restoration of grasslands for nesting waterfowl. Furthermore, the use of large habitat patches by striped skunks decreased away from edges, suggesting that large patches may serve as refuges for ground-nesting birds.

scholarly journals The home-range concept: are traditional estimators still relevant with modern telemetry technology?

2010 ◽  
Vol 365 (1550) ◽  
pp. 2221-2231 ◽  
Author(s):  
John G. Kie ◽  
Jason Matthiopoulos ◽  
John Fieberg ◽  
Roger A. Powell ◽  
Francesca Cagnacci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Animal Movement ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Data Intensive ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Location Data ◽  
Utilization Distributions

Recent advances in animal tracking and telemetry technology have allowed the collection of location data at an ever-increasing rate and accuracy, and these advances have been accompanied by the development of new methods of data analysis for portraying space use, home ranges and utilization distributions. New statistical approaches include data-intensive techniques such as kriging and nonlinear generalized regression models for habitat use. In addition, mechanistic home-range models, derived from models of animal movement behaviour, promise to offer new insights into how home ranges emerge as the result of specific patterns of movements by individuals in response to their environment. Traditional methods such as kernel density estimators are likely to remain popular because of their ease of use. Large datasets make it possible to apply these methods over relatively short periods of time such as weeks or months, and these estimates may be analysed using mixed effects models, offering another approach to studying temporal variation in space-use patterns. Although new technologies open new avenues in ecological research, our knowledge of why animals use space in the ways we observe will only advance by researchers using these new technologies and asking new and innovative questions about the empirical patterns they observe.

scholarly journals Variable habitat selection and movement patterns among Bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi) populations in Saskatchewan

2019 ◽  
Vol 132 (2) ◽  
pp. 126-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tera L. Edkins ◽  
Christopher M. Somers ◽  
Mark C. Vanderwel ◽  
Miranda J. Sadar ◽  
Ray G. Poulin
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Range Limit ◽  
Northern Range Limit ◽  
Range Overlap ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
River Valleys

Pituophis catenifer sayi (Bullsnake) is a sparsely studied subspecies of conservation concern in Canada. Basic ecological information is lacking for P. c. sayi, which reaches its northern range limit in western Canada. To address this gap, we used radio-telemetry to examine space use and habitat selection in three populations of Bullsnakes in disjunct river valley systems (Frenchman, Big Muddy, and South Saskatchewan River Valleys) across their Saskatchewan range. Bullsnakes in two valleys used up to three times more space, travelled 2.5-times farther from overwintering sites, and had lower home range overlap than the third population. Landscape-level habitat selection was flexible, with snakes in all populations using both natural and human-modified habitats most frequently. Fine-scale habitat selection was also similar among populations, with Bullsnakes selecting sites within 1 m of refuges, regardless of whether they were natural or anthropogenic. Based on these results, Bullsnakes are flexible in their broad scale habitat use, as long as they are provided with fine scale refuge sites. The distribution of key seasonal resources appears to ultimately determine space use and habitat selection by Bullsnakes, regardless of the geographic location of the population.

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.

Spatial-use patterns, movements, and interactions among adult coyotes in central Mississippi

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (12) ◽  
pp. 2087-2095 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J Chamberlain ◽  
Charles D Lovell ◽  
Bruce D Leopold
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Core Area ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Movement Rates ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Pair Bonds ◽  
Northern Regions ◽  
Range Overlap

Recently, coyotes (Canis latrans) have expanded their range to include most areas of the southeastern United States. However, most research on coyotes has been conducted in western and northern regions of North America. We radio-monitored 38 adult coyotes from 1993 to 1997 in central Mississippi. Home-range sizes (P = 0.681) and core-area (area of concentrated use) sizes (P = 0.736) were similar across seasons, but females maintained larger home ranges (P = 0.006) and core areas (P < 0.001) than males. Male-male, female-female, and male-female home-range overlap was greatest during whelping and pup rearing. Except for mated pairs, core-area overlap was negligible across all seasons for adults maintaining neighboring home ranges. Coyote habitat selection varied across spatial scales, though selection was similar between males and females at all scales. Coyote movement rates differed (P < 0.001) temporally, being highest during nocturnal periods. Overall, the highest movement rates for the monitored population were observed for females during summer. Two males and 2 females were suspected of forming pair bonds and frequently traveled together within shared home ranges, as did 2 adult males. Our data indicate that interactions among individual adults are influenced by sex, as most confirmed instances of direct contact occurred between pairs or suspected social groups. In our study area, neighboring adult coyotes exhibited territoriality at the core-area level.

scholarly journals Annual vs. Multiple-Year Home Range Sizes of Individual Blanding's Turtles, Emydoidea blandingii, in Central Wisconsin

2008 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Schuler ◽  
Richard P. Thiel
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Convex Polygons ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Emydoidea Blandingii ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Short Time

Most studies of home ranges occur over short time periods and may not represent the spacial requirements of long-lived organisms such as turtles. Home ranges of 18 individual Blanding’s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) were measured using minimum convex polygons. Annual space use was compared to multi-year space use by individual turtles. We found a significant difference between annual home range size (25.5 hectares) and multi-year (two to six years) home range size (65.7 hectares; n = 18, P = 0.016). Caution should be employed when making management decisions based on short-term studies of long lived species.

Spatial ecology of yellow-spotted goannas adjacent to a sea turtle nesting beach

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Lei ◽  
David T. Booth ◽  
Ross G. Dwyer
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Potential Interaction ◽  
Large Male ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Data Loggers ◽  
System Data

Nest predation is the main cause of hatch failure for many turtle populations. For loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) nesting at the Wreck Rock rookery, adjacent to Deepwater National Park in south-east Queensland, yellow-spotted goannas (Varanus panoptes) are the main nest predator. However, no studies have documented the space use of goannas in costal habitat adjacent to a sea turtle nesting beach. Here we used Global Positioning System data loggers to evaluate the spatial ecology of adult yellow-spotted goannas in order to discover their potential interaction with sea turtle nests. Male yellow-spotted goannas had larger home ranges, spent a greater proportion of their time in the beach dune area where sea turtles nest, and their home ranges overlapped with more sea turtle nests compared with females. Both males and females had a bimodal activity pattern, with peaks in activity in the early morning and mid to late afternoon. Examination of space-use patterns indicates that it is the larger male yellow-spotted goannas that are the main predators of sea turtle nests at the Wreck Rock beach-nesting aggregation. Hence, by inference, it is probable that large male yellow-spotted goannas are responsible for opening nests at other Australian mainland sea turtle beaches, and if a goanna-specific management strategy is implemented to control predation it is these large males that should be targeted.

scholarly journals Brown hyena habitat selection varies among sites in a semi-arid region of southern Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 473-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca J. Welch ◽  
Craig J. Tambling ◽  
Charlene Bissett ◽  
Angela Gaylard ◽  
Konrad Müller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Resource Selection ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Brown Hyena ◽  
Semi Arid Region

Abstract Human/carnivore conflicts are common across the globe, and with a growing human population, this conflict is likely to increase as the space available to large carnivores is reduced. In South Africa, many small (&lt; 400 km 2 ), fenced protected areas have reintroduced persecuted carnivores, such as brown hyenas ( Hyaena brunnea ). These reserves have great potential to conserve brown hyena populations; consequently, understanding the limitations that small, fenced reserves impose on space use patterns is needed. We investigated the home range (95% fixed kernel utilization distributions) and landscape determinants of habitat selection using resource selection functions for 10 brown hyenas in 3 separate fenced reserves. Home range sizes were consistently smaller in 2 of the reserves when compared to the third. Considerable variation in the selection of habitat features exists among individual brown hyenas and reserves. The most important landscape determinant driving brown hyena space use was distance to roads, with brown hyenas observed closer to roads when compared to random locations within their ranges. If this relationship with roads holds outside of protected areas, it could represent a considerable threat to the species. Thus, obtaining a better understanding of the influence of roads on brown hyenas represents an important focus for future research.

scholarly journals Space-Use Patterns of the Asiatic Wild Ass (Equus hemionus): Complementary Insights from Displacement, Recursion Movement and Habitat Selection Analyses

PLoS ONE ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e0143279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Giotto ◽  
Jean-François Gerard ◽  
Alon Ziv ◽  
Amos Bouskila ◽  
Shirli Bar-David
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Equus Hemionus ◽  
Wild Ass ◽  
Asiatic Wild Ass
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