Home range and habitat use of a low-density population of greater gliders, Petauroides volans (Pseudocheiridae: Marsupialia), in a hollow-limiting environment

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey C. Smith ◽  
Michael Mathieson ◽  
Luke Hogan
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Convex Polygon ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
Breast Height ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
Corymbia Citriodora ◽  
Density Population

Greater gliders, Petauroides volans, were radio-tracked within a large tract of forest in the dry inland of southern Queensland. This forest has been commercially logged for timber for more than 100 years. Home-range estimates ranged from 1.4 ha (female) to 19.3 ha (male). Minimum convex polygon (MCP) estimates were larger for males (average, 11.5 ha) than females (average, 3.3 ha) and combined (6.8 ha, sexes pooled) were larger than estimates from other Australian populations. Gliders were located foraging in myrtaceous tree species only, using mostly Eucalyptus moluccana, E. fibrosa and Corymbia citriodora. E. moluccana was used for foraging more frequently than would be expected on the basis of its availability in the forest. E. fibrosa and C. citriodora were used in proportion to their availability in the forest. Gliders were not seen foraging in non-myrtaceous species or myrtaceous trees <20 cm diameter at breast height (dbh), preferring trees in 30–70-cm dbh classes and as ‘mature’ and ‘over-mature’ classified according to growth-stage characteristics. Den tree species included the same species used for foraging as well as dead trees (16% of den trees). E. fibrosa and E. tereticornis were preferred significantly more than expected by their availability in the forest. Non-myrtaceous species were not used as live den trees. Large (dbh >50 cm) and old living trees (in deteriorating and senescent condition: ‘late mature’ and ‘over-mature’ categories) were primarily used as den trees. Individual gliders utilised 4–20 den trees. Females utilised more den trees per unit area of home range (3.8 den trees ha–1, maximum) than males (0.9 den trees ha–1, maximum). Fewer den trees were used per unit area of home range than by gliders at a coastal location with approximately the same latitude. The density of live stems containing hollows suitable as dens is currently lower than 1 tree ha–1 in some parts of the study forest. Gliders were two and half times less likely to be observed during standardised spotlighting surveys in the study area than elsewhere in southern Queensland. It is likely that low availability of den trees is contributing to large home ranges and the apparent low population density observed in this study.

scholarly journals A radio tracking study of home range and movements of the marsupial Micoureus demerarae (Thomas) (Mammalia, Didelphidae) in the Atlantic forest of south-eastern Brazil

2005 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edsel Amorim Moraes Junior ◽  
Adriano Garcia Chiarello
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Convex Polygon ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Radio Tracking ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Live Trapping ◽  
Eastern Brazil ◽  
Data Points ◽  
Biological Reserve

From August 2001 to July 2002 the home range and movements of seven Micoureus demerarae (Thomas, 1905) (three males and four females) were investigated using radio tracking in the União Biological Reserve, state of Rio de Janeiro, south-eastern Brazil. A total of 436 locations was obtained and home range estimated with fixed Kernel (95% of data points), and minimum convex polygon (MCP) methods, with 100 and 95% of data points. Male home ranges estimated by MCP (100%) ranged from 5.4-24.2 ha and females from 0.3-10.7 ha. Corresponding figures calculated with Kernel (95%) were 4-10.9 ha for males and 1.3-5.9 ha for females. Animals travelled on average 423 m/night, with males travelling significantly further (582.8 m/night) than females (335.1 m/night) (t test, t = 3.609, p = 0.001). We concluded that radio tracking produced much larger home ranges than those estimated with traditional live-trapping techniques, suggesting that the latter might underestimate ranging when the area covered with traps is relatively small (ca. 1 ha or less). Radio tracking also indicated that M. demerarae, although predominantly arboreal and weighting only ca. 130 g., has movements similar in magnitude to larger-sized terrestrial didelphimorph marsupials, such as Didelphis Linnaeus, 1758, Philander Linnaeus, 1758 and Metachirus (Desmarest, 1817).

Home ranges of sympatric red-necked wallabies, red-bellied pademelons and common brushtail possums in a temperate eucalypt forestry environment.

2003 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mar K le ◽  
C McArthur ◽  
M Statham
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Convex Polygon ◽  
Sexual Difference ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
North West ◽  
Fixed Kernel ◽  
Core Areas

We investigated home ranges of sympatric red-necked (or Bennett?s) wallabies Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus, red-bellied pademelons Thylogale billardierii and common brushtail possums Trichosurus vulpecula fuliginosus within a forestry environment in north-west Tasmania. Six indiviuals of each species were radio-tracked between 7 and 11 months. Nocturnal and diurnal data were used to estimate Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP) home range, 95% fixed-Kernel (KE) home range and 50% KE core area. Home ranges (mean � s.e.) were as follows: M. r. rufogriseus MCP = 61 � 12 ha, KE = 41 � 3 ha; T. billardierii MCP = 22 � 5 ha, KE = 16 � 3 ha; and Tr. v. fuliginosus MCP = 39 � 8 ha, KE = 17 � 3 ha. M. r. rufogriseus had larger MCP home ranges than T. billardierii (P < 0.05), and larger KE home ranges and core areas than both T. billardierii and Tr. v. fuliginosus (P < 0.05), which reflected their larger body mass. Inter-sexual comparisons within the sexually dimorphic macropods showed that M. r. rufogriseus males had significantly larger MCP and KE home ranges and core areas than females (P < 0.05), and T. billardierii males tended to have a larger KE home ranges than females (P = 0.08). No inter-sexual difference in home range size was detected for Tr. v. fuliginosus.

Home range of stoats (Mustela erminea) in podocarp forest, south Westland, New Zealand: implications for a control strategy

2001 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Miller ◽  
Mike Elliot ◽  
Nic Alterio
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Convex Polygon ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Convex Polygons ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
Mustela Erminea ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Breeding Seasons

The home range of stoats (Mustela erminea) was determined as part of a programme to protect Okarito brown kiwi chicks (Apteryx australis) ‘Okarito’, from predation. Twenty-seven stoats were fitted with radio-transmitters and tracked in two podocarp (Podocarpaceae) forests, in south Westland, New Zealand, from July 1997 to May 1998. Home-range area was determined for 19 animals by minimum convex polygons and restricted-edge polygons, and core areas were determined by hierarchical cluster analysis. The mean home ranges of males across all seasons calculated by minimum convex polygon (210 28 ha ( s.e.)) and restricted-edge polygon (176 29 ha) were significantly larger than those of females across all seasons (89 14 ha and 82 12 ha). The mean home range of males calculated by minimum convex polygon during the breeding season (256 38 ha) was significantly larger than the mean home range pooled across the non-breeding seasons (149 16 ha), whereas that calculated by restricted-edge polygon was not significantly different. The mean home range of females during the breeding season was not significantly different from that in the non-breeding seasons when estimated by either method. Overlap of home ranges was observed within and between sexes in all seasons, with the greatest proportion of home range overlap being male–female. The mean home range of females in spring and summer is used to guide the spacing of control stations.

Variation in the home-range size of the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis)

2010 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross L. Goldingay ◽  
David J. Sharpe ◽  
Matt D. J. Dobson
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Habitat Quality ◽  
New South ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Squirrel Glider ◽  
Range Estimate

The home-range area of animals may vary geographically and in response to habitat quality. We investigated the size of squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) home ranges near Brisbane, Queensland, and at Tea Gardens on the central coast of New South Wales. Habitat at both sites had been partially cleared and had been subjected to grazing for several decades. Twelve gliders were tracked over an average of 3.5 months in Brisbane. The fixed kernel (FK95%) home-range estimate averaged 4.6 ± 0.7 (s.e.) ha while the minimum convex polygon (MCP100%) averaged 6.7 ± 1.5 ha. Six gliders were tracked over 1 month at Tea Gardens. The FK95% home-range estimate averaged 14.8 ± 2.4 ha while the MCP100% averaged 13.3 ± 3.1 ha. The Tea Gardens values are derived from relatively short periods and are likely to underestimate the areas used. This study demonstrates that home-range size can vary substantially in the squirrel glider. This has implications for understanding how this species responds to variation in habitat quality and highlights the need for site-specific studies to inform aspects of management.

Tree Use by Individual Koalas in a Natural Forest.

1988 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
MA Hindell ◽  
AK Lee
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Natural Forest ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Preferred Species

The home ranges and species of trees used by 20 koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) were determined in a forest in Victoria containing 6 Eucalyptus spp. Eight animals showed a preference for a tree species from those available within their home ranges. Four koalas preferred E. viminalis, 2 E. ovata and 2 E. macrorhyncha. Preference for tree species was detected only where the preferred species was in low abundance within the animal's home range. These observations confirm that koalas may show individual differences in the species of food trees they prefer. E. viminalis, the preferred species of this population, was the predominant tree species within the home range of 15 of the koalas, which may account for the lack of evidence of preference in the majority of animals.

scholarly journals Importance of canopy connectivity for home range and movements of the rainforest arboreal ringtail possum (Hemibelideus lemuroides)

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robyn F. Wilson ◽  
Helene Marsh ◽  
John Winter
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Radio Tracking ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
The Road ◽  
North East ◽  
Wide Road ◽  
Ringtail Possum

Roads and powerline corridors destroy canopy connectivity in the rainforest of north-east Australia. We tested the hypotheses that linear barriers affect (a) the alignment of home ranges, (b) use of habitat either side of linear barriers, and (c) the crossing of them by the strictly arboreal lemuroid ringtail possum (Hemibelideus lemuroides), which is known to be vulnerable to habitat fragmentation. Radio-tracking and a translocation experiment were conducted at a narrow 7-m-wide road and an 80-m-wide powerline. Homes ranges of lemuroid ringtails ranged from 0.15 to 1.67 ha (minimum convex polygon) and were aligned with the road but not powerline corridors. When lemuroid ringtails were experimentally translocated, wider canopy clearings over roads reduced their capacity to return to their original home range, and the powerline corridor was a nearly insurmountable barrier. No possums were observed crossing roads or the powerline corridor at ground level or residing in the intervening matrix, indicating that loss of canopy connectivity has a negative impact on their movements.

Movements and Home Ranges of Feral Pigs (Sus Scrofa) in Kosciusko National Park, New South Wales.

1996 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 711 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Saunders ◽  
B Kay
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
National Park ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
Feral Pigs ◽  
South Wales

The movements of a subalpine population of feral pigs were examined at Kosciusko National Park in southeastern New South Wales. Sufficient data were collected to estimate the home-range area of 20 pigs on the basis of 782 telemetry and trap locations. Mean (+/- s.d.) home-range size (minimum convex polygon method) for males (35.0 t 22.2 km*2) was significantly greater than that for females (1 1.1 +/- 5.2 km*2). Use of capture-recapture distances to estimate home-range size was considered inappropriate. A test for nomadism suggests that, although home ranges of pigs in this environment were larger than those reported for other pigs in Australia, the pigs were essentially sedentary. Management implications for this population are discussed.

Can minimum convex polygon home ranges be used to draw biologically meaningful conclusions?

2007 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 635-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erlend B. Nilsen ◽  
Simen Pedersen ◽  
John D. C. Linnell
Keyword(s):  
Convex Polygon ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon

scholarly journals Home range areas of koalas in an urban area of north-east New South Wales

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross L. Goldingay ◽  
Barbara Dobner
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Urban Area ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
North East ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Primary Habitat

Conserving wildlife within urban areas requires knowledge of habitat requirements and population processes, and the management of threatening factors. The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is one species that is adversely affected by urban development. Sick and injured koalas in the Lismore urban area are regularly taken into care. We radio-tracked koalas released from care in order to estimate home-range areas and to determine their fate. Koalas were tracked for periods of 90–742 days; 7 of 10 survived for a period of at least one year. Home ranges defined by the minimum convex polygon (MCP100%) were large (mean ± s.e. = 37.4 ± 8.2 ha). Analysis using the 95% Fixed Kernel revealed home-range areas of 8.0 ± 1.7 ha. Analysis of the habitat composition of each MCP home range showed that they included 4.3 ± 0.9 ha of primary habitat (dominated by their primary food trees). These home ranges contained 27.6 ± 6.8 ha of non-habitat (cleared or developed land). Koalas crossed roads within their home ranges at least 5–53 times; one crossed the Bruxner Highway near a roundabout at least 32 times over his 2-year tracking period. Future management should include strategic food tree planting that enhances habitat connectivity and minimises the risk of car strike or dog attack.

scholarly journals Seasonal Home Ranges of Raccoons, Procyon lotor, Using a Common Feeding Site in Rural Eastern Ontario: Rabies Management Implications

2004 ◽  
Vol 118 (1) ◽  
pp. 65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah C. Totton ◽  
Richard C. Rosatte ◽  
Rowland R. Tinline ◽  
Laura L. Bigler
Keyword(s):  
Convex Polygon ◽  
Procyon Lotor ◽  
Grid Cell ◽  
Effective Area ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
Management Implications ◽  
Feeding Site ◽  
Movement Data ◽  
Summer Maximum

Thirteen adult Raccoons (Procyon lotor) (six females, seven males) that fed at a garbage dump north of Kingston, Ontario were radio-tracked from 21 June to 16 October 1995 to assess their seasonal home ranges and movements. Average Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP) summer and fall home ranges for the collared Raccoons were 78.4 ha (SD=46.2 ha) and 45.6 ha (SD=29.7 ha), respectively. Average grid cell summer and fall home ranges for the collared Raccoons were 143.3 ha (SD=40.0 ha) and 116.9 ha (SD=24.9 ha), respectively. Summer ranges of the Raccoons were significantly larger than fall ranges using both the MCP method (P=0.05) and the grid cell method (P=0.073). Yearling Raccoons travelled an average summer maximum distance from the dump of 2608 m (SD=1964, n=3), more than double the distance of adults (≥2 yr) at 1239 m (SD=547, n=10). The population density for the study area in late August 1995 was estimated at 1 Raccoon/12 ha based on an effective area surrounding the dump of 234 ha. Home range and movement data may be useful to design a strategy to control Raccoon rabies in Ontario.

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