Spatial-Organization and Movement Patterns of Adult Male Platypus, Ornithorhynchus-Anatinus (Monotremata, Ornithorhynchidae)

1995 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 91 ◽  
Author(s):  
JL Gardner ◽  
M Serena
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Adult Male ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Activity Period ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Ornithorhynchus Anatinus ◽  
Different Parts

Home-range size and overlap and movement patterns of adult male platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus, occupying streams in southern Victoria were investigated near the start of the breeding season using radio-tracking techniques. On the basis of a sample of males monitored for four or more complete activity periods, home-range size varied from 2.9 to 7.0 km, with individuals (n = 4) moving a mean net distance of 2.0 +/- 1.4 km per activity period. Longer-range movements were also observed, with one male travelling at least 15 km from one stream catchment to another via an intervening stretch of river. Some home ranges of males were mutually exclusive whereas others overlapped substantially; in the latter case, males largely avoided each other, spending most of their time in different parts of the shared area. All home ranges of males apparently overlapped those of two or more adult females. Three patterns of travel over complete activity periods were recognised, including unidirectional travel (point A to B), return travel (A to B to A) and multidirectional travel with multiple, relatively short-range backtracking. Males occupying overlapping areas often moved multidirectionally and rarely undertook unidirectional travel, whereas the converse applied to males occupying exclusive areas.

Movement patterns of feral predators in an arid environment – implications for control through poison baiting

2009 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 422 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. E. Moseby ◽  
J. Stott ◽  
H. Crisp
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Poison Baiting ◽  
Specific Variation

Control of introduced predators is critical to both protection and successful reintroduction of threatened prey species. Efficiency of control is improved if it takes into account habitat use, home range and the activity patterns of the predator. These characteristics were studied in feral cats (Felis catus) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in arid South Australia, and results are used to suggest improvements in control methods. In addition, mortality and movement patterns of cats before and after a poison-baiting event were compared. Thirteen cats and four foxes were successfully fitted with GPS data-logger radio-collars and tracked 4-hourly for several months. High intra-specific variation in cat home-range size was recorded, with 95% minimum convex polygon (MCP) home ranges varying from 0.5 km2 to 132 km2. Cat home-range size was not significantly different from that of foxes, nor was there a significant difference related to sex or age. Cats preferred habitat types that support thicker vegetation cover, including creeklines and sand dunes, whereas foxes preferred sand dunes. Cats used temporary focal points (areas used intensively over short time periods and then vacated) for periods of up to 2 weeks and continually moved throughout their home range. Aerial baiting at a density of 10 baits per km2 was ineffective for cats because similar high mortality rates were recorded for cats in both baited and unbaited areas. Mortality was highest in young male cats. Long-range movements of up to 45 km in 2 days were recorded in male feral cats and movement into the baited zone occurred within 2 days of baiting. Movement patterns of radio-collared animals and inferred bait detection distances were used to suggest optimum baiting densities of ~30 baits per km2 for feral cats and 5 per km2 for foxes. Feral cats exhibited much higher intra-specific variation in activity patterns and home-range size than did foxes, rendering them a potentially difficult species to control by a single method. Control of cats and foxes in arid Australia should target habitats with thick vegetation cover and aerial baiting should ideally occur over areas of several thousand square kilometres because of large home ranges and long-range movements increasing the chance of fast reinvasion. The use of temporary focal points suggested that it may take several days or even weeks for a cat to encounter a fixed trap site within their home range, whereas foxes should encounter them more quickly as they move further each day although they have a similar home-range size. Because of high intra-specific variability in activity patterns and home-range size, control of feral cats in inland Australia may be best achieved through a combination of control techniques.

scholarly journals Home range expansion in response to temperature by evening bats (Nycticeius humeralis) in an urban environment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Hall ◽  
Victoria Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Activity Period ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces

Abstract Background: Despite the negative connotation of urban sprawl for bat populations, fragmented green spaces such as parks, cemeteries, and golf courses have the potential to provide necessary resources for bats. For example, water resources in these areas can include natural or semi-natural lakes, ponds, streams, and drainage ditches. Such water resources, however, are frequently ephemeral when subject to prolonged periods of high temperatures. We, therefore, hypothesize that bats will expand or shift their home ranges from these urban green spaces into the surrounding neighborhoods to access alternative resources, such as residential swimming pools. Methods: To explore whether bats expand their ranges from urban green spaces, we conducted a telemetry study in which we radio-tracked resident evening bats (Nycticeius humeralis) in a local park system during their summer activity period from 2017-2019 in Fort Worth, Texas, USA. From radio-tracking surveys, we measured home range size using a k-LoCoH method and the percentage of these home ranges that fell within the park system. We compared these variables using linear and non-linear regressions with temperature. Results: We successfully tracked a total of 30 bats over the 3-year period and found a positive correlation between home range size and temperature. Furthermore, we observed that home ranges increased 6 times in size when temperatures exceeded 30ºC. Conclusions: Our study indicates the importance of urban neighborhoods surrounding green spaces in providing alternative resources, such as water, for bats. If managed appropriately, these urban areas have the potential to act as urban oases for bat populations, which in turn can contribute to their conservation.

Home range size adjustments by the eastern chipmunk, Tamias striatus, in response to natural and manipulated water availability

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (9) ◽  
pp. 2016-2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A. Bowers ◽  
David N. Welch ◽  
Timothy G. Carr
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Free Water ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Drought Period ◽  
Tamias Striatus ◽  
Early Fall

Capture–recapture techniques were used to study the spatial organization of a population of eastern chipmunks, Tamias striatus, over 16 weeks of an uncharacteristically dry summer and early fall. The objective was to examine the role of free water as a factor influencing home range size. Home range size was estimated for time periods of 1, 3, and 5 weeks. For animals captured more than two times, home range size estimates were not significantly correlated with the number of captures or body weight, nor did home ranges differ between males and females. Home ranges were relatively large in early summer, small in mid- to late-summer, and large again in the early fall. Home ranges were significantly smaller during the 8 weeks of greater-than-median precipitation than during weeks of less-than-median precipitation. Home ranges of 8 individuals out of 12 increased in size during a 3-week drought period relative to their pre- and post-drought home ranges. Differences in home range size between drought and nondrought periods were more pronounced for males than females. Comparison of home range size before and after the provision of supplemental drinking water showed that where water was added, chipmunks reduced the size of their home ranges significantly more than control (unwatered) chipmunks. These results identity water availability during certain years and seasons as a factor influencing home range size.

scholarly journals Home Ranges and Spatial Organization of Fishers, Martes pennanti, in Central British Columbia

2009 ◽  
Vol 123 (2) ◽  
pp. 126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard D. Weir ◽  
Alton S. Harestad ◽  
Fraser B. Corbould
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Martes Pennanti ◽  
Utilization Distribution ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon

We described the size and spatial arrangement of aggregate and seasonal home ranges for 17 radio-tagged resident Fishers (Martes pennanti) that were >1.5 years old in two areas of central British Columbia during 1990-1993 and 1996-2000. We estimated home range size for each Fisher from the 95% isopleth of the utilization distribution generated using a fixed kernel model with smoothing selected by least-squares cross-validation (95% FK). For comparison to previous studies, we also calculated the minimum convex polygon estimate of home range size (MCP) for each animal. The aggregate home ranges (95% FK) of female Fishers (mean = 37.9 km², SD = 18.5, range = 10.5 – 81.2, n = 11) were significantly smaller than those of males (mean = 161.3 km², SD = 100.0, range = 46.0 – 225.2, n = 3; P = 0.019). We observed minor overlap among 95% FK home ranges of Fishers of the same sex, but considerable overlap among home ranges of males and females. Home ranges (95% FK or MCP) that we observed in central British Columbia were larger than those reported elsewhere in North America, particularly for males. We suggest that the distribution of resources for Fishers may occur at lower gross densitiesin central British Columbia than in other portions of the Fisher’s range and that suitable habitat in which Fishers can establish home ranges is not found uniformly across the landscape.

scholarly journals Home Range and Territoriality of Two Hawaiian Honeycreepers, the ‘ĀKohekohe and Maui Parrotbill

The Condor ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 103 (4) ◽  
pp. 746-755
Author(s):  
Thane K. Pratt ◽  
John C. Simon ◽  
Brian P. Farm ◽  
Kim E. Berlin ◽  
James R. Kowalsky
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Adult Male ◽  
Cloud Forest ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Hawaiian Honeycreepers ◽  
Montane Cloud Forest ◽  
Trophic Niches

Abstract Hawaiian honeycreepers have radiated into a diversity of trophic niches and patterns of space-use. We investigated space-use in two honeycreeper species, the ‘Ākohekohe (Palmeria dolei), an endangered nectarivore, and Maui Parrotbill (Pseudonestor xanthophrys), an endangered wood excavator, by mapping the home ranges and dispersion of color-banded individuals at a study site in relatively undisturbed montane cloud forest on Maui Island, Hawai‘i. With 20% of outlying points excluded, home-range size averaged much smaller for adult male ‘Ākohekohe (0.56 ha) than for male Maui Parrotbill (2.26 ha). In both species, a female's home range mostly overlapped that of her mate. Adult male Maui Parrotbill defended year-round home ranges from which they excluded conspecifics except for their mates and dependent offspring. Although our data suggest that ‘Ākohekohe also maintained all-purpose territories, the evidence is less convincing because these birds were seen feeding in the home ranges of other individuals. By defending all-purpose territories, these two species depart from the more common honeycreeper pattern of sharing large, undefended home ranges. Rango de Hogar y Territorialidad en Dos Mieleros de Hawai, Palmeria dolei y Pseudonestor xanthophrys Resumen. Los mieleros de Hawai han radiado en una gran diversidad de nichos tróficos y patrones de uso del espacio. Investigamos el uso del espacio en dos especies amenazadas de mieleros, Palmeria dolei, un nectarívoro, y Pseudonestor xanthophrys, un excavador de madera. Mapeamos los rangos de hogar y dispersión de individuos marcadas con bandas de colores en un sitio relativamente no perturbado de bosque montano nublado, en la Isla Maui, Hawai. Excluyendo el 20% de los valores extremos, el tamaño promedio de los rangos de hogar de los machos adultos de P. dolei fue mucho menor (0.56 ha) que el de los machos de P. xanthophrys (2.26 ha). En ambas especies, el rango de hogar de la hembra se sobrepuso en gran parte al rango del macho. Los machos adultos de P. xanthophrys defendieron su territorio durante todo el año excluyendo a individuos conespecíficos con excepción de sus parejas y crías dependientes. A pesar que nuestros datos indican que P. dolei también mantuvo territorios, la evidencia es menos convincente debido a que estas aves fueron observadas forrajeando en rangos de hogar de otros individuos. Las dos especies estudiadas defienden sus territorios, lo cual las diferencia del patrón común observado en los mieleros, que consiste en compartir extensos rangos de hogar no defendidos.

Socio-spatial organization and spatial ecology

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.G.L. Mills ◽  
M.E.J. Mills
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Scent Marking ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Dispersal Distance ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Large Home Range ◽  
Core Areas

Home ranges of males (1204 km2) and females (1510 km2) were similar. Female home range size was positively related to the dispersion of prey and generally, but not exclusively, they displayed home range fidelity. Overlap between female home ranges was extensive, although they rarely met up. Male home ranges overlapped extensively and there was no difference in size between coalition and single males. Males overcame the problem of scent marking a large home range by concentrating scent marks in core areas. Generally female cheetah home range size is affected by resource productivity, although where prey are migratory, or in fenced reserves where movements are constricted, and areas where disturbance is severe, this may be different. Southern Kalahari males apparently need large home ranges to increase the likelihood of locating wide-ranging and sporadically receptive females. Mean dispersal distance for subadult males (96 km) was further than for females (39 km).

scholarly journals Movement patterns and home ranges of male and female Snowy Owls (Bubo scandiacus) wintering on the Canadian prairies

2018 ◽  
Vol 96 (6) ◽  
pp. 545-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander M. Chang ◽  
Karen L. Wiebe
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
Nonbreeding Season ◽  
Bubo Scandiacus

Meeting energy requirements during the nonbreeding season is important for many animals and some defend winter territories to secure a food supply. In birds of prey, females, the larger and competitively dominant sex, may monopolize areas with higher prey abundance than males. We thus predicted that female Snowy Owls (Bubo scandiacus (Linnaeus, 1758)), which might acquire the high-quality habitats and individuals in better body condition, would be able to persist on smaller home ranges, travel shorter distances, and spend proportionally more time on a home range than males, during the winter. On the prairies in central Saskatchewan, we deployed satellite transmitters on 11 male and 12 female Snowy Owls over two winters. There were no significant differences between the sexes in home-range size or the amount of travelling during the winter months. Mean first home range (95% minimum convex polygon) size was 54.4 km2 for males, 31.9 km2 (estimated marginal means) for females, and 53.8 km2 for the sexes combined. However, within sexes, home-range size was negatively correlated with body condition as predicted. A lack of defense of home-range perimeters against conspecifics could increase variation in home-range size and movement patterns and reduce differences between the sexes.

Ecological Correlates of Fecal Corticosterone Metabolites in Female Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrococercus urophasianus)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan Clark Rabon ◽  
Cassandra M. V. Nuñez ◽  
Peter Coates ◽  
Mark Ricca ◽  
Tracey N. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Remotely Sensed Data ◽  
Sage Grouse ◽  
Ecological Conditions ◽  
Annual Grasses

Measurement of physiological responses can reveal effects of ecological conditions on an animal and correlate with demographic parameters. Ecological conditions for many animal species have deteriorated as a function of invasive plants and habitat fragmentation. Expansion of juniper (Juniperus spp.) trees and invasion of annual grasses into sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) ecosystems have contributed to habitat degradation for Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrococercus urophasianus (Bonaparte, 1827); hereafter, “Sage-Grouse”), a species of conservation concern throughout its range. We evaluated relationships between habitat use in a landscape modified by juniper expansion and annual grasses and corticosterone metabolite levels (stress responses) in feces (FCORTm) of female Sage-Grouse. We used remotely sensed data to estimate vegetation cover within hens’ home ranges and accounted for factors that influence FCORTm in other vertebrates, such as age and weather. We collected 36 fecal samples from 22 radio-collared hens during the brood-rearing season (24 May–26 July) in southwestern Idaho 2017–18. Concentrations of corticosterone increased with home range size but decreased with reproductive effort and temperature. The importance of home range size suggests that maintaining or improving habitats that promote smaller home ranges would likely facilitate a lower stress response by hens, which should benefit Sage-Grouse survival and reproduction.

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