Home-range changes by brushtail possums in response to control

2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murray Efford ◽  
Bruce Warburton ◽  
Nick Spencer
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Population Recovery ◽  
Forest Patch ◽  
Net Flux ◽  
Reduced Density ◽  
Vacuum Effect

Common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) are intractable pests in New Zealand. The effectiveness of local control can be limited by immigration, some of which has been attributed to a ‘vacuum effect’ – directed movements induced by the control itself. To characterise the vacuum effect we examined changes in the home ranges of trapped possums following control in a 6-ha block at one end of a 13-ha forest patch on farmland near Dunedin, New Zealand. We also monitored a sample of possums by radio-telemetry. After control, the density was 3 ha–1 inside the removal area and 16 ha–1 outside. During the year after the removal, 29% of possums within 100 m of the boundary of the removal area (n = 38) shifted their range centre at least 50 m towards it. The effect diminished rapidly with distance: only 1 of 28 animals moved more than 200 m from the boundary. The size of the previous range was a significant predictor of movement among males, but this may be partly a sampling artifact. We measured a net flux of 69 possums km–1 across the boundary in the 12 months after control, and possums settled on average 44 6.9 m inside the boundary. The vacuum effect in brushtail possums appears largely confined to home-range adjustments by individuals with ranges overlapping the area of reduced density. This limits its potential role in population recovery.

scholarly journals Predispersal home range shift of an ocelot Leopardus pardalis (Carnivora: Felidae) on Barro Colorado Island, Panama

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Mares ◽  
Ricardo S. Moreno ◽  
Roland W. Kays ◽  
Martin Wikelski
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Barro Colorado Island ◽  
Range Shift ◽  
Range Shifts ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Adult Size ◽  
Subadult Male ◽  
Leopardus Pardalis ◽  
Natal Home

Home range shifts prior to natal dispersal have been rarely documented, yet the events that lead a subadult to abandon a portion of its home range and venture into unfamiliar territories, before eventually setting off to look for a site to reproduce, are probably related to the causes of dispersal itself. Here, we used a combination of manual radio-tracking and an Automated Radio Telemetry System to continuously study the movements of a subadult male ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), a solitary carnivore with sex-biased dispersal, on Barro Colorado Island, Panama, for 18 months from May 2003 through October 2004. The subadult ocelot?s parents were also radio-tracked to record possible parent-offspring interactions within their home ranges. At the age of ca. 21 months the subadult gradually began to shift its natal home range, establishing a new one used until the end of the study, in an area that had previously been used by another dispersing subadult male. Only three parent-offspring interactions were recorded during the four months around the time the range-shift occurred. The apparent peaceful nature of these encounters, along with the slow transition out of a portion of his natal home range, suggest the subadult was not evicted from his natal area by his parents. The timing of the shift, along with the subadult?s increase in weight into the weight range of adult ocelots four months after establishing the new territory, suggests that predispersal home range shifts could act as a low risk and opportunistic strategy for reaching adult size, while minimizing competition with parents and siblings, in preparation for an eventual dispersal into a new breeding territory.

scholarly journals Spatial Response to Linear Infrastructures by the Endangered Golden Lion Tamarin

Diversity ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscila da Silva Lucas ◽  
Milene Alves-Eigenheer ◽  
Talitha Mayumi Francisco ◽  
James M. Dietz ◽  
Carlos Ramón Ruiz-Miranda
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Power Lines ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Lion Tamarin ◽  
Golden Lion Tamarin ◽  
Linear Infrastructures

Linear infrastructures are a primary driver of economic development. However, they also can negatively affect wildlife by mortality and the barrier effect. In this paper, we address how paved and unpaved roads, high-tension power lines, and gas/oil pipelines affect home range size, core areas, and movement in an endangered primate, the golden lion tamarin (GLT). Location data were recorded using radio telemetry on 16 groups in two protected areas and in privately owned forest fragments. The GLT’s home range, not core area, increased in size for the groups that occupied locations far from linear infrastructures; home range was also significantly influenced by available forest size. None of the home ranges contained a road, but home ranges did contain power lines. GLTs used the surrounding landscape near all types of infrastructure. Movement analysis showed that most of the step lengths (distances between subsequent locations) were less than 100 m between two consecutive locations, but step length was longer for roads and longer for groups in fully forested habitats. Tamarins avoided paved roads when in close proximity to this type of infrastructure; this behavior increased in areas without adequate adjacent forest habitat. Our results show that linear infrastructures differ in their level of impact: roads can act as a barrier, whereas other types of infrastructure have minimal effect on movement and home range. We discuss these differences in impact in terms of structure, maintenance schedules, and edge effects of infrastructure.

Feral Cats (Felis Catus L.) On New Zealand Farmland. Ii. Seasonal Activity.

1992 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 707 ◽  
Author(s):  
NPE Langham
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Social Behaviour ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Seasonal Activity ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Resident Population

The activity patterns of a resident population of 15 feral cats (Felis catus L.) on New Zealand farmland were investigated from March 1984 until February 1987 by radiotelemetry. Females could be divided into two separate groups: (1) those denning in barns and (2) those denning in the swamp and willows. Females denning in barns were mainly nocturnal except in spring and summer when rearing kittens. Barn cats moved significantly further between dusk and dawn, except in autumn-winter, than those denning in swamp and willows which were active over 24 h. When not breeding, related females occupied the same barn. In both groups, the home range of female relatives overlapped. Males ranged over all habitats, and dominant adult males moved significantly further and had larger home ranges than other males in all seasons, except in summer when they rested, avoiding hot summer days. Only adult males were active during the day in spring and autumn-winter. The importance of a Zeitgeber in synchronising cat activity with that of the prey is examined. The significance of female den site is discussed in relation to proximity of food, predators, social behaviour and male defence.

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.

Home range, movement and habitat utilisation of the Carpentarian rock-rat (Zyzomys palatalis) in an isolated habitat patch

2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Puckey ◽  
Milton Lewis ◽  
David Hooper ◽  
Carrie Michell
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Central Area ◽  
Limited Resource ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Habitat Patch ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Core Areas ◽  
The Mean

Radio-telemetry was used to examine the home range, movement and habitat utilisation of the critically endangered Carpentarian rock-rat (Zyzomys palatalis) in an isolated habitat patch in the Gulf of Carpentaria hinterland over a 13-month period. Two home-range estimators were used in the study, (i) minimum convex polygon (MCP) and (ii) fixed Kernel (KL), the latter also being used to estimate core areas of activity. Based on a total sample size of 21 individuals, the mean MCP home range was 11 165 m2, similar to the mean KL home range of 10 687 m2. Core areas were, on average, 11.9% of the KL home-range estimate. There was no significant difference in the size of home range or core area of males and females. Juveniles had a significantly smaller home range than adults. Home ranges and, to a lesser degree, core areas were non-exclusive, with multiple areas of overlap (averaging 41% and 38% respectively) within and between all age and gender categories, but especially between males and between juveniles. Movement frequencies showed that animals made many short forays in a central area close to the arithmetic home-range mean and far fewer long forays of distances greater than 100 m from the central area. The spatial and temporal activity of Z. palatalis was concentrated in, but not confined to, the 'valley' and 'slope' habitats, with fewer movements of rats onto the surrounding 'plateau'. Resource selection analyses showed that Z. palatalis tended to prefer valley and slope habitats over the plateau and that the proportion of point locations was significantly higher for adults in the slope habitat and for juveniles in the valley habitat. Most home ranges were centred on the ecotone between these two habitat types. Although isolated and spatially limited, these habitat patches provide high-quality resources for dense populations of Z. palatalis. This study exemplifies a species' attempt to make efficient use of a limited resource in an otherwise hostile environment. Even small declines in habitat area or quality due to their vulnerability to fire would impact upon many animals.

scholarly journals Home range and movements of San Joaquin antelope squirrels in the San Joaquin Desert of California

2021 ◽  
pp. 317-328
Author(s):  
David J. Germano ◽  
Galen B. Rathbun ◽  
Lawrence R. Saslaw ◽  
Brian L. Cypher
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Standard Error ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Restricted Range ◽  
Ecological Studies ◽  
Convex Polygons ◽  
Natural Area ◽  
Protected Species ◽  
Daily Distance

The San Joaquin antelope squirrel (Ammospermophilus nelsoni) is one of five species in the genus and has the most restricted range of the four mainland antelope squirrels, occurring only in the San Joaquin Desert of California. Despite being state-listed as Threatened since 1980, few studies have been conducted on A. nelsoni, especially ecological studies, which hampers recovery efforts. We conducted a radio-telemetry study in 2002 of 19 males on the Lokern Natural Area in the southwestern portion of the San Joaquin Desert. Based on 100% Minimum Convex Polygons (MCP), home ranges varied from 1.25–14.5 ha with a mean of 5.93 ha (± 0.90 standard error). The average daily distance traveled by these 19 males was 128.5 m (range, 71.4–224.5) and the average greatest distance travelled in a day was 313.0 m, with some traveling > 0.5 km. Our data are useful to further refine the estimates of home range and movements of this neglected protected species, but in the future, better home range studies are needed that span multiple years, include both sexes, and occur at sites across its range.

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 ranges, time budgets and food-tree use in a high-density tropical population of greater gliders, Petauroides volans minor (Pseudocheiridae : Marsupialia)

1996 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 401 ◽  
Author(s):  
SS Comport ◽  
SJ Ward ◽  
WJ Foley
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Kernel Method ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
High Population ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Time Budgets ◽  
High Population Density ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Males And Females

The socio-ecology of Petauroides volans has been studied for subtropical and temperate populations, but not for the northern tropical subspecies, Petauroides volans minor. Data on the effects of a high population density on home ranges, time budgets and food-tree use were obtained by means of radio-telemetry. Three techniques were used to estimate home-range area (kernel, MCP and harmonic mean) and the kernel method was preferred. Estimates of home-range area (defined by the 95% kernel) gave mean values of 2.5 and 1.3 ha for males and females, respectively. Broad overlap of home ranges of males was observed, which has not been reported previously for populations of P. volans. Behaviour patterns for males and females were similar to those in previous studies, although the mating system may differ, possibly because of the high population density. Dietary patterns were similar to those previously reported for this species, the most important food items being young leaves and flower buds of particular eucalypt species, notably Eucalyptus acmenoides.

scholarly journals Wolverine, Gulo gulo, Home Range Size and Denning Habitat in Lowland Boreal Forest in Ontario

2010 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
pp. 139 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Neil Dawson ◽  
Audrey J. Magoun ◽  
Jeff Bowman ◽  
Justina C. Ray
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
Northwestern Ontario ◽  
Selection Of

We conducted the first radio-telemetry study of Wolverines in northwestern Ontario during the winter of 2003-2004 to determine whether home ranges and movements of Wolverines in lowland boreal forest were typical of this species in other ecosystems and to describe reproductive den sites in this habitat type. Seven Wolverines (3 M, 4 F) were radio-tagged and monitored for 31 to 269 (Mean ± SE = 153 ± 35) days using a combination of remotely monitored Argos satellite and conventional aerial telemetry. Male and female 95% minimum convex polygon (MCP) home ranges (±SE) during December to October were 2,563 (796) km2 and 428 (118) km2, respectively, for combined VHF and Argos locations. A lactating female had a 95% MCP home range of 262 km2. The den site for this female included large boulders and downed trees, similar to dens described for this species in montane ecosystems. Boulder complexes and downed trees may be critical features of wolverine dens in lowland boreal forests. Mean road densities (± SE) within 95% MCP and 50% MCP home ranges were 0.43 (0.13) and 0.33 (0.23) km/km2, respectively, and our results suggest that road densities may affect selection of home ranges by Wolverines. The Wolverine population was a resident, reproductive population. Erratum for table included.

Home range and den characteristics of the brush-tailed rabbit-rat (Conilurus penicillatus) in the monsoonal tropics of the Northern Territory, Australia

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald S. C. Firth ◽  
John C. Z. Woinarski ◽  
Richard A. Noske
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Fire Regimes ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
Dry Seasons

Radio-telemetry was used to investigate the home range and den characteristics of the brush-tailed rabbit-rat (Conilurus penicillatus) from three sites in the monsoonal tropics of the Northern Territory, Australia. Radio-tracking was conducted in a series of discontinuous 4–17-day sessions, over a 2-year period. The home ranges of 61 C. penicillatus were estimated using the minimum convex polygon (MCP) and fixed kernel (K95% and K50%) methods. There were no significant differences in home-range size among the three sites or between wet and dry seasons, which suggests that vegetation structure, floristics and season play relatively little role in movements of C. penicillatus. The mean home-range size was 0.79 ± 0.09 ha (MCP estimate) to 0.97 ± 0.12 ha (K95% estimate). The home ranges of males were larger than those of females (mean MCP estimates of 1.07 ± 0.15 and 0.45 ± 0.06 ha respectively). C. penicillatus denned primarily in fallen logs and in hollows of eucalypts and bloodwoods (Corymbia spp.). Rough-barked trees appeared to be preferred. The diameter at breast height (DBH) of den trees varied significantly between the three sites, being greatest at site C1 (34.5 ± 2.4 cm) and least at site C2 (26.1 ± 1.0 cm). Den trees had larger DBH than randomly selected trees at each site. The diameter at the mid-point (DMP) of both den and randomly selected logs were not significantly different between sites. Many individuals used more than one den site per tracking session. The small home ranges of C. penicillatus and its reliance on hollows in trees and logs suggest that this species is very vulnerable to local extinction following long-term annual and destructive fire regimes and land clearing, even in comparatively small patches.

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