Temporal and intersexual variations in the use of space with regard to social organization in the woodchuck (Marmota monax)

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (7) ◽  
pp. 1642-1649 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Ferron ◽  
J. P. Ouellet
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Social Organization ◽  
Average Distance ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Natal Dispersal ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Use Of Space ◽  
Marmota Monax ◽  
Daily Period

The use of space by adult woodchucks (Marmota monax) in a field habitat has been studied by radiotracking. Results are analysed according to two periods, each lasting 50 days, preceding and following the onset of natal dispersal; within each period a finer analysis is performed on a 10-day basis. Variations in the use of space within a daily period are also analysed. The number of burrows used, the average distance between burrows successively occupied by the same animal, and home-range size are considered. During the period preceding natal dispersal, adult males are more mobile and have a larger home range than do females accompanied by young. During the period of natal dispersal, the pattern of space use is similar for adults of both sexes, females becoming less sedentary and males reducing their movements. The onset of natal dispersal is a major event affecting the pattern of space use by females accompanied by young. As hibernation approaches, there is a decrease in the amplitude of movements between burrows. Results also suggest that woodchucks are territorial. Comparison with other woodchuck populations reveals differences in social organization that may be related to population densities.

Use of space by the woolly opossum Caluromys philander (Marsupialia, Didelphidae) in French Guiana

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (7) ◽  
pp. 1280-1289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Didier Julien-Laferrière
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
French Guiana ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Maternal Investment ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Primary Forest ◽  
Use Of Space ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
High Dispersal

Use of space by a woolly opossum (Caluromys philander) population in a primary forest of French Guiana was examined by trapping and radio tracking during 27 months over a period of 3.5 years. Mean home-range size was about 3 ha. Home ranges widely overlapped between both males and females. Use of space was more evenly distributed during the season of fruit scarcity than during the season of fruit abundance. The location of the core area within the home range was correlated with the location of feeding sites. A high dispersal rate was observed in both young and adults. Space-use patterns were influenced to some extent by factors relating to the environment (food availability) and the individual (energy needs of females related to maternal investment). Nevertheless, ranging behaviour varied greatly among individuals. Space-use patterns appear to be highly opportunistic in this species and may explain why C. philander has colonized a vast range of habitats over a wide geographical area.

scholarly journals Sex Differences in Space Use of Breeding Common Ravens in Western Marin County, California

The Condor ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 106 (3) ◽  
pp. 529-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer E. Roth ◽  
John P. Kelly ◽  
William J. Sydeman ◽  
Mark A. Colwell
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Corvus Corax ◽  
Marin County ◽  
Core Areas

Abstract We estimated core areas and home-range sizes and evaluated sex differences in home-range size, seasonal variation in movements, and space use for breeding Common Ravens (Corvus corax) in western Marin County, California. There were no significant interannual differences in average core area or average home-range size for either sex, although there were small-scale shifts in home-range use for 67% of females and 63% of males. There was no significant difference in home-range size between the sexes. Home-range size was positively correlated with distance to food source. Ravens traveled shorter distances from the nest during the incubation + nestling stage compared to other stages of the breeding season. Core areas were centered around nest sites and food sources, with significantly aggregated locations for 83% and 100% of females in 2000 and 2001, respectively. Males were more variable in their use of space, with significantly aggregated locations for 38% and 44% of males in 2000 and 2001, respectively. Individual variation in home-range size, movements, and space use was likely due to differences in the distribution of important food sources in the area. Diferencias Sexuales en la Utilización del Espacio en Corvus corax en el Oeste del Condado Marin, California Resumen. Estimamos los tamaños del área núcleo y rango de hogar y evaluamos las diferencias entre sexos en el tamaño del rango de hogar, variaciones estacionales de los movimientos y utilización del espacio en Corvus corax en el oeste del condado Marin, California. No hubo diferencias interanuales significativas en el área núcleo promedio ni en el rango de hogar promedio para ninguno de los sexos, aunque para el 67% de las hembras y el 63% de los machos hubo cambios de pequeña escala en el uso del rango de hogar. No hubo diferencias significativas en el tamaño de los rangos de hogar entre sexos. El tamaño del rango de hogar estuvo positivamente correlacionado con la distancia a la fuente de alimento. Los cuervos viajaron distancias más cortas desde el nido durante los períodos de incubación y de cría de polluelos en comparación con otros períodos durante la época reproductiva. Las áreas núcleo se centraron en los sitios de nidificación y las fuentes de alimento, con posiciones significativamente agregadas para el 83% y 100% de las hembras en 2000 y 2001, respectivamente. Los machos presentaron mayor variabilidad en la utilización del espacio, con posiciones significativamente agregadas para un 38% y 44% de los machos en el 2000 y 2001, respectivamente. Las variaciones individuales en el tamaño de los ámbitos de hogar, movimientos y uso del espacio fueron probablemente dadas por las diferencias en la distribución de los recursos alimenticios importantes en el área.

scholarly journals Spatial ecology of copperhead snakes (Agkistrodon contortrix) in response to urban park trails

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Malle F Carrasco-Harris ◽  
Dale Bowman ◽  
Steve Reichling ◽  
Judith A Cole
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Average Distance ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Urban Park ◽  
Active Season ◽  
Agkistrodon Contortrix

Abstract Urban forests and parks are important for recreation and may serve as a natural corridor for commuters. The consequences of human-mediated disturbance in natural areas are documented for avian and mammalian species. Less is known about the consequences of human disturbance on reptile species, specifically snakes, residing in natural refuges within the urban matrix. Thus, we examined the spatial activity of copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix) in regard to pedestrian trails within an urban forest. We used radio telemetry to track snakes during the active season and estimated distances moved in between relocations, distances to the nearest trail and home range size for individuals. We found sex and season, but not distance to the nearest trail, affected the distance snakes moved. In addition, we observed a weak, positive relationship between home range size and average distance to the trail. Sex, season and body condition did not explain snake distance to the trail, but individual patterns were variable for snakes compared to random locations generated from snake relocations. Our study indicates copperheads may be tolerant of low-level human disturbances found in an urban forest. Further work should be done to quantify levels of disturbance, such as trail use, and compare the behavior of reptiles across urban park types and locations.

Sexual and environmental variation in the space requirements of the Critically Endangered geometric tortoise, Psammobates geometricus

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaretha Hofmeyr ◽  
Ulric van Bloemestein ◽  
Brian Henen ◽  
Craig Weatherby
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Convex Polygons ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Mating Opportunities ◽  
Space Requirements ◽  
Nesting Season

Psammobates geometricus has a limited distribution in the southwestern Cape, South Africa, where it occurs in small habitat fragments separated by agricultural and urban developments. Space use and its determining factors thus represent critical information for the effective conservation of this species. We used radiotelemetry and thread-trailing to study the movement patterns and space use of geometric tortoises over an annual cycle, and estimated home ranges with minimum convex polygons and fixed-kernel methods. Home range size of geometric tortoises showed large inter-individual variation, and for females, a positive relationship to body size. Females, the larger sex, had larger home ranges and mean daily displacements than males had. Female space use was high through most of the year, except in the wet season, when food was abundant, temperatures relatively low, and soft soils allowed easy nesting. Males used more space and displaced further in the non-nesting than nesting season, perhaps to optimise mating opportunities in the non-nesting season before females ovulate. Home ranges were more elongate and overlapped more in fallow fields than in natural vegetation, suggesting that habitat degradation alters home range structure. The space geometric tortoises used for their annual activities ranged from 1.02 to 44.85 ha. The large home ranges and effects of habitat degradation should influence the size of reserves, and the destiny of geometric tortoises in small habitat fragments.

Natal dispersal of grizzly bears

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (5) ◽  
pp. 838-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce N McLellan ◽  
Frederick W Hovey
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Ursus Arctos ◽  
Natal Dispersal ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Grizzly Bears ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Gradual Process ◽  
The Social ◽  
Dispersal Distances

We studied natal dispersal of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos), a solitary nonterritorial carnivore with a promiscuous mating system, between 1979 and 1998. Dispersal distances for 2-year-olds did not differ between males and females, but by 3 years of age, males had dispersed farther than females, and farther still by 4 years of age. Dispersal of both sexes was a gradual process, occurring over 1–4 years. From the locations of death, or last annual ranges, it was estimated that 18 males dispersed 29.9 ± 3.5 km (mean ± SE) and 12 females dispersed 9.8 ± 1.6 km. Eleven of these males dispersed the equivalent of at least the diameter of 1 adult male home range, whereas only 3 of the females dispersed at least the diameter of 1 adult female home range. The longest dispersals recorded were 67 km for a male and 20 km for a female. Because the social system consists of numerous overlapping home ranges of both sexes, long dispersal distances may not be required to avoid inbreeding or competition with relatives. Simple models suggest that 61% of the ranges of brother and sister pairs would not overlap, but the home range of every daughter would overlap her father's range. The home range of an estimated 19 ± 4 (mean ± SD) adult males, however, would overlap at least a portion of each female's range, thereby reducing the chance of a female mating with her brother or father. Understanding the dispersal behaviour of grizzly bears is essential for developing conservation strategies. Our results suggest that meta-population reserve designs must provide corridors wide enough for male grizzly bears to live in with little risk of being killed.

Mating strategies of Pampean mouse males

2012 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 381-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florencia Bonatto ◽  
Daniela Gomez ◽  
Andrea Steinmann ◽  
José Priotto
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Mating Strategies ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Akodon Azarae

Patterns of space use and sexual dimorphism are frequently used to infer mating systems. We examined body size and home range size and intra- and intersexual overlap degree in order to elucidate mating strategy of Akodon azarae males. We studied spacing patterns using 113 and 129 home ranges established by males and females, respectively, in four 0.25 ha enclosures during the breeding season. Significant differences between sexes in home range size and overlap degree were found. Male home ranges were always larger than those of females. We observed exclusive space use among males and among females. Considering only those males that shared their home ranges with females, average intersexual overlap value was about 50%. Males mainly overlap their home ranges with home ranges of two or three females. Significant differences in body size were found between males and females, with males being larger. We concluded that space use and sexual dimorphism in this species is consistent with patterns characteristic of polygynous rodents, and we propose a polygynous system in A. azarae.

scholarly journals Space Use and Movement of Urban Bobcats

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Young ◽  
Julie Golla ◽  
John Draper ◽  
Derek Broman ◽  
Terry Blankenship ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Behavioral Plasticity ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Lynx Rufus ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Home Range Overlap ◽  
Range Overlap

Global urbanization is rapidly changing the landscape for wildlife species that must learn to persist in declining wild spacing, adapt, or risk extinction. Many mesopredators have successfully exploited urban niches, and research on these species in an urban setting offers insights into the traits that facilitate their success. In this study, we examined space use and activity patterns from GPS-collared bobcats (Lynx rufus) in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, Texas, USA. We found that bobcats select for natural/agricultural features, creeks, and water ways and there is greater home-range overlap in these habitats. They avoid roads and are less likely to have home-range overlap in habitats with more roads. Home-range size is relatively small and overlap relatively high, with older animals showing both greater home-range size and overlap. Simultaneous locations suggest bobcats are neither avoiding nor attracted to one another, despite the high overlap across home ranges. Finally, bobcats are active at all times of day and night. These results suggest that access to natural features and behavioral plasticity may enable bobcats to live in highly developed landscapes.

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.

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