Population densities and home range sizes of the Chestnut Wood-quail

The spatial patterns presented by the marsupial Micoureus demerarae were studied through capture–mark–recapture in two small Atlantic Forest fragments (areas 7.1 and 8.8 ha). The study took place from March 1995 to August 1997. Considering all captures of each individual, males did not have larger home ranges within the fragments than did females. A negative correlation was found between home range sizes and population densities. For males, home ranges overlapped often, and were larger during the breeding season. For females, home ranges did not overlap except for a short period when there were many individuals present, and home range sizes were not significantly larger in the breeding season. Five movements between the two forest fragments were detected, across 300 m of open vegetation. All the movements were performed by males during the reproductive season. M. demerarae in the small fragments therefore displays a metapopulation structure, although possibly an atypical one where only males disperse.

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Predicting home range size from the body mass or population densities of feral pigs,Sus scrofa(Artiodactyla: Suidae)

Austral Ecology ◽

10.1046/j.1442-9993.1999.01001.x ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 24 (5) ◽

pp. 538-543 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Glen Saunders ◽

Steven McLeod

Keyword(s):

Home Range ◽

Body Mass ◽

Sus Scrofa ◽

Home Range Size ◽

The Body ◽

Range Size ◽

Population Densities ◽

Feral Pigs

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Home range and activity patterns measured with GPS collars in spotted-tailed quolls

Australian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1071/zo16002 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 63 (6) ◽

pp. 424 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Gerhard Körtner ◽

Nerida Holznagel ◽

Peter J. S. Fleming ◽

Guy Ballard

Keyword(s):

Sexual Dimorphism ◽

Home Range ◽

Natural Habitat ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Home Ranges ◽

Population Densities ◽

Gps Collars ◽

Daytime Activity ◽

Unidirectional Movement ◽

Conservation Effort

The spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) is the largest marsupial carnivore on mainland Australia. It usually occurs at relatively low population densities and its cryptic nature makes it exceedingly difficult to observe in its natural habitat. On the mainland the species is also listed as nationally endangered and more information is needed to direct any meaningful conservation effort. In this study we aimed to elucidate quolls’ spatial requirements and activity patterns using GPS collars on 10 males and 4 females. Quolls were predominantly nocturnal but some individuals showed pronounced daytime activity. There was no apparent seasonal shift in the timing of activity. The movement of quolls appeared to be confined to home ranges that were relatively large for predators of their size. Furthermore, males used home ranges about three times as large as that of the smaller females. There appeared to be some spatial segregation between not only females, which have been considered territorial, but also males. Overall, it is likely that the larger areas used by males is partly caused by the sexual dimorphism in body mass that entails differences in prey requirements and spectrum, but probably is also a function of a promiscuous mating system. All of these could explain the observed more unidirectional movement and larger distances travelled per day by males.

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