scholarly journals Characteristics of current and historical kit fox (Vulpes macrotis) dens in the Great Basin Desert

2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy M Arjo ◽  
Tim J Bennett ◽  
Adam J Kozlowski
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Great Basin ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Physical Characteristics ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Multiple Use ◽  
Mountainous Areas ◽  
Kit Fox ◽  
Vulpes Macrotis

We examined the ecological and physical characteristics of den sites for 13 adult kit fox (Vulpes macrotis) in western Utah from December 1998 to February 2001. We also compared current and historical den distribution among habitat types. The number of den sites used was not influenced by home-range size (P = 0.11) or season (P = 0.40), but was influenced by geographical area. Home-range size was smallest (P = 0.007) and the number of dens used was greatest (P = 0.009) in mountainous areas. Ecological and physical characteristics of single-use dens (n = 30) were compared with those of multiple-use (n = 53) and natal dens (n = 8). Characteristics that differed between den types included number of entrances (P = 0.0001), diameter of entrances (P = 0.003), and height of vegetation along transects (P = 0.0001). Natal den entrance azimuths were weighted towards a northwesterly aspect (P = 0.0022); however, single- and multiple-use den exits appeared to be randomly distributed. Historical changes in kit fox den site selection have occurred since 1959 (P < 0.0001). We characterized more dens in invasive grasslands and fewer in greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) habitats than previously described. The conversion of native habitat to grassland and the increase in coyote population may have altered kit fox distribution to include mountainous areas not previously described.

Desert kit fox home range – southeastern California

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.

Foraging Habitat, Home-Range Size and Diet of a Mediterranean Bat Species, Savi's Pipistrelle

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 351
Author(s):  
Marina Kipson ◽  
Martin Šálek ◽  
Radek Lučan ◽  
Marcel Uhrin ◽  
Edita Maxinová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Foraging Habitat

scholarly journals Green morays (Gymnothorax funebris) have sedentary ways in mangrove bays, but also ontogenetic forays to reef enclaves

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew S. Kendall ◽  
Laughlin Siceloff ◽  
Ashley Ruffo ◽  
Arliss Winship ◽  
Mark E. Monaco
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
History Of ◽  
High Site ◽  
Single Night ◽  
Exploratory Movements ◽  
Moray Eel

AbstractSurprisingly, little is known about basic life history of the largest moray eel species in the Caribbean region, the green moray eel (Gymnothorax funebris). Sixteen eels were captured from the mangrove fringe in multiple bays on St. Croix, USVI, implanted with coded acoustic transmitters, and their movements were tracked for up to 11 months using an array of 37 stationary acoustic receivers. They exhibited high site fidelity in the bays during their residence, using the same general parts of individual bays and did not switch bays except for one individual. There was no relationship between eel size (mean TL = 83 cm, range = 54–126 cm) and home range size (mean area of 95% KUD = 5.8 ha ± 0.7 SE). Most individuals were more frequently detected at night than during the day suggesting greater nocturnal activity. Several of the larger eels (mean TL = 93 cm ± 5.9 SE) showed clear and permanent emigration tracks out of the mangrove estuary to coral reef habitats offshore. For some individuals, these habitat shifts were preceded by exploratory movements away from the eel’s typical home range the night before emigration. All final emigration events took place nocturnally, happened during a single night, and occurred during months from December to May. Mean emigration speed was 3.4 km/h. This study is the first documentation of an ontogenetic habitat shift in moray eels, as well as the first determination of home range size for this species and their site fidelity in mangrove habitats.

Resource availability drives variation in a marsupial glider’s home‐range size

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Stobo‐Wilson ◽  
T. Cremona ◽  
B. P. Murphy ◽  
S. M. Carthew
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Resource Availability ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size

Personality and behavioral syndromes in two Peromyscus species: presence, lack of state dependence, and lack of association with home range size

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Underhill ◽  
Gregory G. Pandelis ◽  
Jeremy Papuga ◽  
Anne C. Sabol ◽  
Austin Rife ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
State Dependence ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Behavioral Syndromes

scholarly journals Free-Ranging Farm Cats: Home Range Size and Predation on a Livestock Unit In Northwest Georgia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. e0120513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanna E. Kitts-Morgan ◽  
Kyle C. Caires ◽  
Lisa A. Bohannon ◽  
Elizabeth I. Parsons ◽  
Katharine A. Hilburn
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Free Ranging

scholarly journals Swift Foxes and Ideal Free Distribution: Relative Influence of Vegetation and Rodent Prey Base on Swift Fox Survival, Density, and Home Range Size

ISRN Zoology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig M. Thompson ◽  
Eric M. Gese
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Landscape Heterogeneity ◽  
Ideal Free Distribution ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Distribution Model ◽  
Free Distribution ◽  
Swift Fox ◽  
Ideal Free

Swift foxes (Vulpes velox) are an endemic mesocarnivore of North America subject to resource and predation-based pressures. While swift fox demographics have been documented, there is little information on the importance of top-down versus bottom-up pressures or the effect of landscape heterogeneity. Using a consumable resource-based ideal free distribution model as a conceptual framework, we isolated the effects of resource-based habitat selection on fox population ecology. We hypothesized if swift fox ecology is predominantly resource dependant, distribution, survival, and space use would match predictions made under ideal free distribution theory. We monitored survival and home range use of 47 swift foxes in southeastern Colorado from 2001 to 2004. Annual home range size was 15.4 km2, and seasonal home range size was 10.1 km2. At the individual level, annual home range size was unrelated to survival. Estimates of fox density ranged from 0.03 to 0.18 foxes/km2. Seasonal survival rates were 0.73 and 1.0 and did not differ seasonally. Foxes conformed to the predictions of the ideal free distribution model during winter, indicating foxes are food stressed and their behavior governed by resource acquisition. During the rest of the year, behavior was not resource driven and was governed by security from intraguild predation.

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