Population density, home range size and spatial organization of the Cape clawless otter, Aonyx capensis, in a marine habitat

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.

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Spatial organization of Molina’s hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus chinga) in two landscapes of the Pampas grassland of Argentina

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z10-110 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 89 (3) ◽

pp. 229-238 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

D. F. Castillo ◽

M. Lucherini ◽

E. M. Luengos Vidal ◽

C. Manfredi ◽

E. B. Casanave

Keyword(s):

Home Range ◽

Protected Area ◽

Spatial Organization ◽

Home Range Size ◽

Range Size ◽

Cropland Area ◽

Movement Rates ◽

Resting Sites ◽

Range Dynamics ◽

Ecosystem State

We radio-tracked 16 individuals (6 males, 10 females) of the little known Molina’s hog-nosed skunk ( Conepatus chinga (Molina, 1782)) and compared home-range dynamics, movement rates, and densities between a protected area and a landscape fragmented by agriculture. The mean home-range size (95% fixed kernel) was 166.7 ha (SD = 107.5 ha), without significant differences between areas. Home-range size varied significantly between males (mean = 243.7 ha, SD = 76.5 ha) and females (mean = 120.4 ha, SD =77.6 ha). Overlap between home range and core area was extensive between and within sexes in the protected area and more limited in the cropland area. Mean distance traveled between two consecutive resting sites was 269.5 m (SD = 365 m) and did not differ between areas, although movements were greater for males than females. Distance moved was influenced by seasons, being greater during the cold period. Finally, density estimates were consistently greater at the protected area. We argue that home-range size in Molina’s hog-nosed skunks is an inherent species property, whereas population density and territoriality are more flexible parameters that could reflect how the ecosystem state was affected. In our study, the greater dispersion of food patches in the cropland area than in the protected area may be the major factor influencing these parameters.

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Population Density and Home Range Size of Indri indri in a Protected Low Altitude Rain Forest

International Journal of Primatology ◽

10.1007/s10764-005-5326-2 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 855-872 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Kellie D. G. Glessner ◽

Adam Britt

Keyword(s):

Population Density ◽

Home Range ◽

Rain Forest ◽

Home Range Size ◽

Range Size ◽

Indri Indri ◽

Low Altitude

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Population Density and Home Range Size of Red-Rumped Agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina) Within and Outside a Natural Brazil Nut Stand in Southeastern Amazonia1

Biotropica ◽

10.1111/j.1744-7429.2005.00041.x ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 317-321 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Malu S. P. Jorge ◽

Carlos A. Peres

Keyword(s):

Population Density ◽

Home Range ◽

Home Range Size ◽

Range Size ◽

Brazil Nut

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Desert kit fox home range – southeastern California

Israel Journal of Ecology and Evolution ◽

10.1080/15659801.2016.1171468 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 61 (3-4) ◽

pp. 157-161

Author(s):

Charles J. Randel ◽

Nova J. Silvy

Keyword(s):

Life History ◽

Population Density ◽

Home Range ◽

Great Basin ◽

Central Valley ◽

Home Range Size ◽

Range Size ◽

Minimum Convex Polygon ◽

Kit Fox ◽

Open Population

Kit fox (Vulpes macrotis) life history and ecology has been extensively studied in the Great Basin and California's Central Valley, with fewer studies in hot desert regions resulting in regional knowledge gaps. To augment our understanding of kit fox life history and ecology, we conducted a 2-year radio-telemetry study of the desert kit fox (V. m. arsipus) in southeastern California. Fifty-six desert kit foxes were fitted with morality-sensitive radio collars between October 2012 and August 2014 with individuals located five to seven nights per week to determine home range size and population density. Mean home range was 15.77 ± 1.03 km2 (95% fixed kernel) and 18.48 ± 1.77 km2 (minimum convex polygon), and larger than all, but one previous study. We found no difference in home range size based on sex or year. Home range overlaps were significantly larger for mated (79.3% ± 1.35%) than unmated pairs (20.9% ± 1.01%) and consistent with previous studies. Population size was estimated at 88 individuals using open population models, resulting in an estimated density of 0.34/km2 (range 0.26–0.47/km2) which is higher than previously reported. Our study represents the first home range and population density study for desert kit foxes in California and provided critical knowledge of this understudied kit fox population.

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Relationships Among Habitat Quality, Home Range Size, Reproductive Performance and Population Density: Comparison of Three Populations of the Japanese Serow (Capricornis crispus)

Mammal Study ◽

10.3106/041.035.0406 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 265-276 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Keiji Ochiai ◽

Kayoko Susaki ◽

Takashi Mochizuki ◽

Yasuhiro Okasaka ◽

Yusaku Yamada

Keyword(s):

Population Density ◽

Home Range ◽

Habitat Quality ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Home Range Size ◽

Range Size ◽

Japanese Serow

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

Australian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1071/zo9950091 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 43 (1) ◽

pp. 91 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

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.

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