Spatial Ecology of Sonoran Desert Tortoises (Gopherus morafkai): I. Fidelity in Home Range, Refuge Use and Foraging Behavior

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 509-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian K. Sullivan ◽  
Audrey K. Owens ◽  
Keith O. Sullivan ◽  
Elizabeth A. Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Foraging Behavior ◽  
Sonoran Desert ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Refuge Use ◽  
Gopherus Morafkai

Influence of habitat on home-range size in the short-beaked echidna

2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Sprent ◽  
Stewart C. Nicol
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Location Data ◽  
Significant Negative Relationship ◽  
Solitary Species

The size of an animal’s home range is strongly influenced by the resources available within it. In productive, resource-rich habitats sufficient resources are obtainable within a smaller area, and for many species, home ranges are smaller in resource-rich habitats than in habitats with lower resource abundance. Location data on 14 male and 27 female echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) fitted with tracking transmitters, in the southern midlands of Tasmania, were used to test the influence of habitat type on home-range size. We hypothesised that as woodland should offer more shelter, food resources and refuges than pasture, echidnas living in woodland would have smaller home ranges than those living in pasture areas. We found significant differences between the sexes. Male echidnas had a significantly larger mean home range than females and a quite different relationship between home-range size and habitat type from females. There was no relationship between the proportion of woodland within male home ranges and home-range size whereas female echidnas had a highly significant negative relationship. This suggests that home-range size of female echidnas is highly influenced by the amount of woodland within it, but the home-range size of male echidnas is controlled by factors other than habitat. This pattern is consistent with the spatial ecology of many other solitary species with a promiscuous mating system. The home ranges of females are scaled to encompass all necessary resources for successfully raising their young within a minimal area, whilst the large home ranges of males are scaled to maximise access to females.

Reproductive Ecology and Life History of Female Sonoran Desert Tortoises (Gopherus morafkai)

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy C. Averill-Murray ◽  
Terry E. Christopher ◽  
Brian T. Henen
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Sonoran Desert ◽  
Reproductive Ecology ◽  
Gopherus Morafkai ◽  
History Of

scholarly journals Experimental evidence of spatial memory and home range affinity in White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

2015 ◽  
Vol 129 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael E. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Spatial Memory ◽  
Experimental Evidence ◽  
Odocoileus Virginianus ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Directional Movement ◽  
Before And After

The role of spatial memory in the movement of animals through landscapes remains elusive. To examine spatial memory and home range affinity of White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in northeastern Minnesota during 1995–2007, I translocated 17 adult does with known home ranges to unfamiliar sites and radio-tracked them after their release. Twelve does wearing transmitting radio-collars returned to their home ranges. Death and collar expiration precluded determination of whether the remaining five does would have returned to home ranges. Three of five does wearing global positioning system collars traveled throughout hundreds of square kilometres, circling, backtracking, and returning to release sites, while two others exhibited directional movement for tens of kilometres. Four does that survived to parturition stopped traveling and moved at hourly rates similar to those of control does during the first three weeks of the typical fawn-rearing period, but continued traveling later. Their aberrant extensive travel before and after interruption by parturition suggests that they recognized they were in unfamiliar areas, demonstrating both their capacity and propensity to search for and occupy the familiar space of their individual home ranges. Their successful return to home ranges provided experimental evidence of spatial memory and further elucidated its pervasive role in White-tailed Deer spatial ecology.

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.

Variation in Annual Clutch Phenology of Sonoran Desert Tortoises (Gopherus morafkai) in Central Arizona

Herpetologica ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey E. Lovich ◽  
Roy C. Averill-Murray ◽  
Mickey Agha ◽  
Joshua R. Ennen ◽  
Meaghan Austin
Keyword(s):  
Sonoran Desert ◽  
Gopherus Morafkai ◽  
Central Arizona

Spatial ecology of the Mariana Crow Corvus kubaryi: Implications for management strategies

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 527-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
SARAH K. FAEGRE ◽  
LINDSEY NIETMANN ◽  
DYLAN HUBL ◽  
JAMES C. HA ◽  
RENEE R. HA
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Spatial Behaviour ◽  
Island Endemic ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Over Time

SummaryKnowledge of species-specific spatial ecology is critical for applying appropriate management strategies to maximise conservation outcomes. We used radio-telemetry to describe spatial behaviour of the critically endangered, island-endemic Mariana Crow Corvus kubaryi. To determine whether management strategies should reflect life stage, we measured the home ranges and daily movements of 22 Mariana Crows. Fledgling mobility was low during the first 31 days post-fledging and effects of age (fledgling or sub-adult) and time (months post-fledging or post-dispersal) were often driven entirely by this period. After controlling for reduced fledgling mobility, cumulative home range size increased over time for both age classes and was, on average, more than twice the area for sub-adults than fledglings. Sub-adults also tended to make longer daily movements than fledglings. Non-cumulative, monthly home range areas did not increase over time but the average overlap in home range area between consecutive months was only 63%, suggesting large shifts in space use each month. These results highlight the dynamic nature of Mariana Crow home ranges and suggest that large-scale management efforts are critical for protecting both breeding and non-breeding individuals. The application of the traditional home range concept to Mariana Crows and other wide-ranging passerine birds may result in sub-optimal management strategies. Instead, we recommend that the spatial and temporal scale of conservation efforts be informed by species-specific spatial behaviour across all relevant life stages.

Does urbanization influence the spatial ecology of Gila monsters in the Sonoran Desert?

2008 ◽  
Vol 276 (4) ◽  
pp. 350-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Kwiatkowski ◽  
G. W. Schuett ◽  
R. A. Repp ◽  
E. M. Nowak ◽  
B. K. Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Sonoran Desert ◽  
Spatial Ecology

scholarly journals Lots of movement, little progress: A review of reptile home range literature

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matt Crane ◽  
Inês Silva ◽  
Benjamin Michael Marshall ◽  
Colin Thomas Strine
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Brownian Bridge ◽  
Kernel Density ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Sufficient Information ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Kernel Density Estimators ◽  
Density Estimators

AbstractReptiles are the most species-rich vertebrate group with a broad diversity of life history traits. Biotelemetry is an essential methodology for reptiles as it compensates for several limitations when studying their natural history. We evaluated trends in reptile spatial ecology studies focusing upon quantifying home ranges for the past twenty years. We assessed 290 English-language reptile home range studies published from 2000-2019 via a structured literature review investigating publications’ study location, taxonomic group, methodology, reporting, and analytical techniques. Substantial biases remain in both location and taxonomic groups in the literature, with nearly half of all studies (45%) originating from the USA. Snakes were most often studied, and crocodiles were least often studied, while testudines tended to have the greatest within study sample sizes. More than half of all studies lacked critical methodological details, limiting the number of studies for inclusion in future meta-analyses (55% of studies lacked information on individual tracking durations, and 51% lacked sufficient information on the number of times researchers recorded positions). Studies continue to rely on outdated methods to quantify space-use (including Minimum Convex Polygons and Kernel Density Estimators), often failing to report subtleties on decisions that have substantial impact on home range area estimates. Moving forward researchers can select a suite of appropriate analytical techniques tailored to their research question (dynamic Brownian Bridge Movement Models for within sample interpolation, and autocorrelated Kernel Density Estimators for beyond sample extrapolation). Only 1.4% of all evaluated studies linked to available and usable telemetry data, further hindering scientific consensus. We ultimately implore herpetologists to adopt transparent reporting practices and make liberal use of open data platforms to maximize progress in the field of reptile spatial ecology.

scholarly journals SPATIAL ECOLOGY AND HABITAT UTILIZATION OF MONTEZUMA QUAIL IN THE DAVIS MOUNTAINS OF TEXAS

2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Curtis D. Greene ◽  
Louis A. Harveson ◽  
Joshua G. Cross ◽  
Ryan S. Luna
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Davis Mountains ◽  
Radio Transmitters ◽  
Montezuma Quail

Abstract Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) occur throughout the desert mountain ranges in the Trans-Pecos of Texas as well as Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico. Limited information on life history and ecology of the species is available due to the cryptic nature of the bird. Home range, movements, and preferred habitats have been speculated upon in previous literature with the use of observational or anecdotal data. We used innovative trapping techniques and technologically advanced radio transmitters to assess these ecological parameters for Montezuma quail. The goal of this study was to monitor Montezuma quail to determine home range size, movements, and habitat preference for the Davis Mountains population. We captured a total of 72 birds over the course of two years (2009 – 2010) (36M, 35F, 1 Undetermined). Thirteen individuals with >25 locations/bird were used to estimate the home range, movement, and habitat selection analyses. Home ranges (95% kernel density estimators) averaged 12.83 ha and varied greatly (0.02 – 43.29 ha). Maximum straight-line distances between known locations within home ranges varied from 0.73 – 14.83 km. Distances of movements were greater than previously reported. Preferred habitats consisted of Canyon Mountain Savannah and Foothill Slope Mountain Savannah across three spatial scales. Although our study was able to address some basic ecological attributes of Montezuma quail, additional research is warranted to better understand their population dynamics.

Spatial ecology of the giant armadillo Priodontes maximus in Midwestern Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 101 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
A L J Desbiez ◽  
D Kluyber ◽  
G F Massocato ◽  
L G R Oliveira-Santos ◽  
N Attias
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Sampling Effort ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Home Range Overlap ◽  
Movement Models ◽  
Range Overlap ◽  
Daily Displacement

Abstract The giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus) is the largest living armadillo. This naturally rare and poorly known species is endemic to South America and classified as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN. Here we explored aspects of the spatial ecology of P. maximus in Midwestern Brazil to gain insights on its ecology and biology to support conservation efforts. In 8 years, we identified 50 individuals of P. maximus and monitored 23 of them using telemetry methods. To characterize site fidelity and home range, we fitted individual continuous-time movement models and estimated Autocorrelated Kernel Density Estimates. We built a Structural Equation Model to evaluate how home-range area and daily displacement are related to each other, to sampling effort, and to individual characteristics. We estimated home-range overlap between pairs of different sexes using a bias-corrected Bhattacharyya coefficient. Finally, we formulated a canonical density estimation formula to characterize minimum population density. We gathered a total of 12,168 locations of P. maximus. The best-fitted movement models indicated site fidelity for all individuals and a median adult home-range area of 2,518 ha. Median adult daily displacement was 1,651 m. Home-range area scales positively with daily displacement and daily displacement scales positively with body mass. Median home-range overlap between pairs was low (4%) and adult females presented exclusive home ranges among themselves. Median minimum density was 7.65 individuals per 100 km2 (CI = 5.68–10.19 ind/100 km2). Our results are congruent with characterizing P. maximus as a generally asocial species, most likely promiscuous/polygynous, that establishes large, long-term home ranges, which grants the population a naturally low density. Spatial patterns and biological characteristics obtained in this study can be used to guide future conservation strategies for P. maximus in the Pantanal wetlands and elsewhere.

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