scholarly journals Green morays (Gymnothorax funebris) have sedentary ways in mangrove bays, but also ontogenetic forays to reef enclaves

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew S. Kendall ◽  
Laughlin Siceloff ◽  
Ashley Ruffo ◽  
Arliss Winship ◽  
Mark E. Monaco
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
History Of ◽  
High Site ◽  
Single Night ◽  
Exploratory Movements ◽  
Moray Eel

AbstractSurprisingly, little is known about basic life history of the largest moray eel species in the Caribbean region, the green moray eel (Gymnothorax funebris). Sixteen eels were captured from the mangrove fringe in multiple bays on St. Croix, USVI, implanted with coded acoustic transmitters, and their movements were tracked for up to 11 months using an array of 37 stationary acoustic receivers. They exhibited high site fidelity in the bays during their residence, using the same general parts of individual bays and did not switch bays except for one individual. There was no relationship between eel size (mean TL = 83 cm, range = 54–126 cm) and home range size (mean area of 95% KUD = 5.8 ha ± 0.7 SE). Most individuals were more frequently detected at night than during the day suggesting greater nocturnal activity. Several of the larger eels (mean TL = 93 cm ± 5.9 SE) showed clear and permanent emigration tracks out of the mangrove estuary to coral reef habitats offshore. For some individuals, these habitat shifts were preceded by exploratory movements away from the eel’s typical home range the night before emigration. All final emigration events took place nocturnally, happened during a single night, and occurred during months from December to May. Mean emigration speed was 3.4 km/h. This study is the first documentation of an ontogenetic habitat shift in moray eels, as well as the first determination of home range size for this species and their site fidelity in mangrove habitats.

The role of the bandwidth matrix in influencing kernel home range estimates for snakes using VHF telemetry data

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javan M. Bauder ◽  
David R. Breininger ◽  
M. Rebecca Bolt ◽  
Michael L. Legare ◽  
Christopher L. Jenkins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Cross Validation ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Telemetry Data ◽  
History Of ◽  
Sampling Duration

Context Despite the diversity of available home range estimators, no single method performs equally well in all circumstances. It is therefore important to understand how different estimators perform for data collected under diverse conditions. Kernel density estimation is a popular approach for home range estimation. While many studies have evaluated different kernel bandwidth selectors, few studies have compared different formulations of the bandwidth matrix using wildlife telemetry data. Additionally, few studies have compared the performance of kernel bandwidth selectors using VHF radio-telemetry data from small-bodied taxa. Aims In this study, we used eight different combinations of bandwidth selectors and matrices to evaluate their ability to meet several criteria that could be potentially used to select a home range estimator. Methods We used handheld VHF telemetry data from two species of snake displaying non-migratory and migratory movement patterns. We used subsampling to estimate each estimator’s sensitivity to sampling duration and fix rate and compared home range size, the number of disjunct volume contours and the proportion of telemetry fixes not included in those contours among estimators. Key Results We found marked differences among bandwidth selectors with regards to our criteria but comparatively little difference among bandwidth matrices for a given bandwidth selector. Least-squares cross-validation bandwidths exhibited near-universal convergence failure whereas likelihood cross-validation bandwidths showed high sensitivity to sampling duration and fix rate. The reference, plug-in and smoothed cross-validation bandwidths were more robust to variation in sampling intensity, with the former consistently producing the largest estimates of home range size. Conclusions Our study illustrates the performance of multiple kernel bandwidth estimators for estimating home ranges with datasets typical of many small-bodied taxa. The reference and plug-in bandwidths with an unconstrained bandwidth matrix generally had the best performance. However, our study concurs with earlier studies indicating that no single home range estimator performs equally well in all circumstances. Implications Although we did not find strong differences between bandwidth matrices, we encourage the use of unconstrained matrices because of their greater flexibility in smoothing data not parallel to the coordinate axes. We also encourage researchers to select an estimator suited to their study objectives and the life history of their study organism.

Movement patterns and spatial organisation of the mulgara, Dasycercus cristicauda (Marsupialia : Dasyuridae), in central Australia

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pip Masters
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Average Maximum ◽  
High Site ◽  
Central Australia ◽  
Burrow Use ◽  
Solitary Species

Information on the movements, social structure and burrow use of the mulgara, Dasycercus cristicauda, was collected using radio-telemetry at two study areas in central Australia, one located near the Granites gold mine in the Tanami Desert and the other located on the edge of Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. The average home-range size was not significantly different between the two study areas but home-range size was highly variable amongst individuals, with areas from 1.0 to 14.4 ha being used. The average maximum distance moved was significantly greater for males than for females. Overlap of home ranges was less than 20%, on average, but this was highly variable. There was an average overlap of 14% for females, with a maximum of 67%. The home ranges of males also overlapped, averaging 16.5%, as did those of females and males (19%). D. cristicauda is a solitary species that exhibits high site fidelity and a low propensity for dispersal once a home range has been established.

Home-range studies in a reintroduced brush-tailed rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata) population in the Grampians National Park, Victoria

2011 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Molyneux ◽  
David A. Taggart ◽  
Anthony Corrigan ◽  
Sean Frey
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
National Park ◽  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Local Extinction ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Radio Tracking ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
Species Ecology

In 2008, after 9 years of presumed local extinction, brush-tailed rock-wallabies (Petrogale penicillata) were reintroduced at Moora Moora Creek in the Grampians National Park, western Victoria. Since little is known about this species in Victoria, the reintroduction presented an important opportunity to gain information on the species’ ecology. Radio-tracking was undertaken and home range determined for three individuals released 11 months before this study and a further five individuals that were released at the commencement of the study in October 2009. Home-range size showed little variation amongst individuals, with a mean overall home range of 26 ha (±1.69, s.e.) and a mean core home range of 2.5 ha (±0.24, s.e.). Newly reintroduced individuals showed higher levels of association with wallabies from the same release and greater site fidelity when known conspecifics were close. Within 5 months of release, newly reintroduced animals showed home ranges similar in both size and distribution to those of animals released 11 months prior.

Movements, space use and site fidelity of translocated and resident mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus)

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 509 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. Smedley ◽  
Madelon van de Kerk ◽  
Brock R. McMillan ◽  
Kent R. Hersey ◽  
Jericho C. Whiting ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Mule Deer ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Odocoileus Hemionus ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Winter Range ◽  
Radio Transmitters ◽  
High Site ◽  
Resident Female

Abstract ContextTranslocation of wildlife has become common practice for wildlife managers charged with management of animals on increasingly modified landscapes. Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) is a species of great interest to the public in western North America, and individuals of this species have been translocated several times, but little has been done to document the outcomes of those translocations. AimOur objective was to evaluate the movement, space use and site fidelity of translocated female mule deer in comparison with resident female deer in Utah, USA. MethodsIn January and March 2013, 102 translocated and 50 resident female mule deer were captured and fitted with radio-transmitters. Movement distances, home range sizes and seasonal range sizes were compared, as well as site fidelity between translocated and resident deer. Key resultsMean distance moved and mean annual home range size were significantly larger for translocated than resident deer in 2013, but not in 2014. Translocated deer demonstrated high site fidelity to their release areas. In total, 75% of surviving deer returned during the fall (September–November) migration to winter range within 7km of release sites. ConclusionsOur results indicate that home range sizes and movements of translocated deer are larger than those of resident deer during the first year after release, but during the second year after release, home range sizes and movements of translocated deer are similar to those of resident deer. ImplicationsThe similar home range sizes and movements of translocated and resident deer >1 year after release, as well as the high site fidelity we observed, suggests that translocation is a strategy managers could use to establish or augment populations of mule deer on winter range.

scholarly journals OCELOT Leopardus pardalis (CARNIVORA: FELIDAE) SPATIAL ECOLOGY IN A FRAGMENTED LANDSCAPE OF COLOMBIA

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Cristian Cruz-Rodríguez ◽  
José F. González-Maya ◽  
Abelardo Rodríguez-Bolaños ◽  
Amancay A. Cepeda-Mercado ◽  
Diego Zárrate-Charry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
Fragmented Landscape ◽  
Leopardus Pardalis ◽  
Fragmented Landscapes ◽  
Disturbed Habitats

ABSTRACTOcelots Leopardus pardalis (Linnaeus, 1758) are one of the most common felids in the Neotropics and in the absence of large carnivores, can function as apex predators. Despite occupying numerous habitats across its range, including human-dominated landscapes, there is limited information on how ocelots use fragmented landscapes. We radio-tracked a female ocelot in a fragmented landscape of the Caribbean region of Colombia from November 2010 to January 2011 to estimate home range and habitat use. We obtained 100 locations overall; home range size was 9.64 km2 using the 95% fixed kernel density estimate. Rivers and roads were the main variables related with the locations and the ocelot selected for natural forests but also used disturbed habitats. Home range size and habitat use was similar to previous studies, but we observed greater use of disturbed habitats. As ocelots become the top predators in many fragmented landscapes of the Neotropics, it is important to understand how they use landscapes and could serve as surrogates for conservation.Keywords: Home range, habitat use, Sucre, radio-telemetry, Colombia.RESUMENEl ocelote Leopardus pardalis (Linnaeus, 1758) es uno de los felinos más comunes en el Neotrópico y en ausencia de los grandes carnívoros, pueden funcionar como depredadores tope. A pesar de ocupar numerosos hábitats a través de su distribución, incluyendo paisajes dominados por el hombre, hay información limitada sobre cómo los ocelotes utilizan paisajes fragmentados. Realizamos radio-seguimiento de un ocelote hembra en un paisaje fragmentado de la región Caribe de Colombia entre noviembre de 2010 y enero de 2011 para estimar el ámbito hogareño y uso de hábitat. Se obtuvieron 100 ubicaciones en total; el ámbito de hogar fue de 9.64 km2 utilizando la estimación de la densidad del núcleo fijo del 95%. Los ríos y las carreteras fueron las principales variables relacionadas con las ubicaciones así como el individuo prefirió los bosques naturales, pero también utilizó hábitats perturbados. El tamaño del ámbito hogareño y uso de hábitat fue similar a estudios previos, pero se observó un mayor uso de los hábitats perturbados. A medida que los ocelotes se convierten en los principales depredadores en muchos paisajes fragmentados del Neotrópico, es importante entender cómo usan los paisajes y podrían servir como especies sustitutas en conservación.Palabras clave: ámbito de hogar, uso de hábitat, Sucre, radio-telemetría, Colombia.

Ecological and evolutionary significance of molt in lowland Neotropical landbirds

The Auk ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jared D Wolfe ◽  
Ryan S Terrill ◽  
Erik I Johnson ◽  
Luke L Powell ◽  
T Brandt Ryder
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Evolutionary Significance ◽  
High Survival ◽  
Life History Variation ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
History Of

Abstract The slow-paced life history of many Neotropical birds (e.g., high survival and low fecundity) is hypothesized to increase lifetime fitness through investments in self-maintenance over reproduction relative to their temperate counterparts. Molt is a key investment in self-maintenance and is readily shaped by environmental conditions. As such, variation in molt strategies may be a key mechanism underlying life-history trade-offs and adaptation to new environments. Here, we review molt strategies from a diversity of lowland Neotropical landbirds and examine how variation in molt strategies, characterized by differences in molt insertions, timing, extent, and duration contribute to life-history variation and adaptation to diverse ecological conditions. In addition to our synthesis, we present a case study to examine the relationship between home range size and duration of the definitive prebasic molt of a well-studied subset of Amazonian landbirds. Our results suggest a connection between prolonged molt duration and larger home range size of small-to-medium-sized Amazonian landbirds. Our aims were to identify key gaps in our knowledge of Neotropical bird molt, to stimulate further comparative studies into the evolution of molt strategies, and to highlight how variation in molt strategies may be a key mechanism underlying life-history variation across latitudes.

scholarly journals Movements, Habitat Use, and Survival of Nonbreeding Piping Plovers

The Condor ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 103 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine R. Drake ◽  
Jonathan E. Thompson ◽  
Kiel L. Drake ◽  
Curt Zonick
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Annual Cycle ◽  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Charadrius Melodus ◽  
Threatened And Endangered Species ◽  
Piping Plovers ◽  
Core Areas

Abstract We studied movements, habitat use, and survival rates of 49 radio-marked Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) overwintering along the southern Laguna Madre of Texas during 1997–1998. Plovers exhibited strong site fidelity to nonbreeding areas throughout fall, winter, and spring. Mean home-range size of plovers (based on 95% of locations) was 12.6 km2 with a mean core area (50% of locations) of 2.9 km2. Seasonal home-range size and core areas differed only between fall and winter; home-range and core areas were smaller in fall than winter. Mean linear distance moved was 3.3 km; fall movements were smaller than those made in winter and spring. Habitat use varied seasonally: plovers used algal flats more during fall and spring than during winter; plovers used exposed sand flats more often during winter than in fall and spring. We recorded no mortality of radio-marked birds. High rates of survival and strong site fidelity throughout the nonbreeding period suggest that this period of the annual cycle may not contribute to the declining population size for Piping Plovers wintering in this region. However, because Piping Plovers spend most of the annual cycle on nonbreeding areas, they are likely to be negatively affected by loss of those sites, emphasizing the importance of conserving nonbreeding areas for this threatened and endangered species.

scholarly journals Seasonal and age-specific dynamics of the Griffon Vulture’s home range and movements in the Eastern Rhodopes

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-92
Author(s):  
Volen Arkumarev ◽  
Dobromir Dobrev ◽  
Anton Stamenov ◽  
Atanas Delchev ◽  
Stoycho Stoychev
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Balkan Peninsula ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Gyps Fulvus ◽  
Specific Variation ◽  
Eastern Rhodopes ◽  
Exploratory Movements

Abstract The spatial ecology of the Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) has been a subject of scientific interest for long due to its conservation status, critical ecosystem role, gregarious lifestyle and complex foraging behavior. The trans-border Eastern Rhodope Mountain in Bulgaria and Greece holds an increasing population of the species and one of the largest on the Balkan Peninsula. We used high-frequency GPS data from 13 Griffon Vultures from this population to study their movements, home range size and its seasonal or age specific dynamics. The overall foraging home range (95% kernel) was 3,204 km2 and the core area of activity (50% kernel) was 256.5 km2. We found high seasonal variation of the home range size. Vultures were foraging over larger areas in the summer and spring but their activity was limited to four times smaller areas in winter. We found no age specific variation in the home range sizes but the non-adult vultures showed tendency to conduct exploratory movements far from the breeding colony. Our results can be used for planning conservation efforts in the areas of high importance for the species.

scholarly journals Site fidelity and effects of body mass on home-range size of Egyptian mongooses

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 465-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Palomares
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Spatial Strategies ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Egyptian Mongoose ◽  
Herpestes Ichneumon

Home-range size has been found to be related to body mass of some animals both across species and within species when the spatial strategies of the sexes differ. I studied home-range size in a polygynous carnivore, the Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon), and compared observed home-range size with predictions based on body mass. First, I tested whether mongooses actually exhibited site fidelity (for daily and multiday periods). Mongooses always showed site fidelity for a multiday home range, but in only 59% of the cases for daily home range. Adult males exhibited less daily site fidelity than did adult females or young. Multiday home-range size was similar among age–sex classes, but males had significantly more core areas than females or young. Multiday home-range size was positively correlated with body mass for adult males (r2 = 0.98, P = 0.0122) and negatively correlated with body mass of adult females (r2 = 0.40, P = 0.0374). Differences in these relationships and daily site fidelity between adult males and females suggest that the spatial strategies of male and female Egyptian mongooses are different, with the larger females defending the areas richer in resources and the larger males having more access to females.

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