Socio-spatial organization of Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) in a low-density population of central Europe

2007 ◽  
Vol 85 (9) ◽  
pp. 973-984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Do Linh San ◽  
Nicola Ferrari ◽  
Jean-Marc Weber
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Group Formation ◽  
Meles Meles ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Habitat Productivity ◽  
European Badgers ◽  
Social Units ◽  
Density Population

We studied the socio-spatial organization of Eurasian badgers (or European badgers), Meles meles (L., 1758), in a low-density population (estimate 1.8 badgers/km2) inhabiting a semi-rural area of western Switzerland. For this purpose, 8 badgers (5 males and 3 females) were caught at 5 different main setts and were radio-tracked between May 1994 and November 1996. The size of individual home ranges varied from 0.27 to 3.74 km2 (1.69 ± 1.33 km2 (mean ± SD), n = 8, 100% MCP), seemingly according to local variations in habitat productivity. Individual home ranges were spatially stable, but their size decreased significantly during winter (0.26 ± 0.42 km2, n = 7, 100% MCP). Badger social units consisted of 1–5 adults and (or) subadults (2.2 ± 1.5 animals, n = 9) and their yearly offspring. Group-range size varied from 0.57 to 3.74 km2 (2.12 ± 1.30 km2, n = 4) and seemed to be influenced by the spatial distribution pattern of food resources. Indeed, each group range encompassed approximately the same surface of agricultural land (about 0.60 km2). Territories were not well marked, some group ranges partly overlapped. Latrines, which were not numerous and principally located inside rather than along borders of group ranges, were only used irregularly or sporadically. This prompts us to encourage the reconsideration of the role of territorial behaviour in promoting group formation in Eurasian badgers.

Observations on marking behaviour in a low-density population of European badgers (Meles meles)

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Balestrieri ◽  
Luigi Remonti ◽  
Claudio Prigioni
Keyword(s):  
Meles Meles ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Marking Behaviour ◽  
European Badgers ◽  
Density Population

Seasonal home range size and philopatry in two northern white-tailed deer populations

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (11) ◽  
pp. 1930-1940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Lesage ◽  
Michel Crête ◽  
Jean Huot ◽  
A Dumont ◽  
Jean-Pierre Ouellet
Keyword(s):  
Home Range Size ◽  
High Density ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
High Density Population ◽  
Wintering Areas ◽  
N 93 ◽  
Density Population ◽  
Competition For Resources

From 1994 to 1997, we compared summer and winter space utilisation by two white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations wintering in adjacent areas in southeastern Quebec characterised by deep snow cover. One population lived at low density (10 deer/km2) with access to abundant forage in winter (127 000 twigs/ha), whereas for the other, high-density population (20 deer/km2), forage availability was reduced (68 000 twigs/ha). Because of intraspecific competition for resources, we predicted that deer in the high-density population would have smaller home ranges, would exhibit greater philopatry, and would be more likely to disperse. Deer from both populations occupied summer home ranges that were similar in size (1182 ha for adult males; 1102 ha for adult females; 6033 ha for yearling males; 2528 ha for yearling females) but much larger than home ranges observed elsewhere in North America. The high-density population showed a higher level of philopatry than the low-density population during winter but not during summer. Most deer remained migratory during the study (n = 93) but 4 of the 5 that dispersed were from the high-density population. We speculate on the ability of white-tailed deer populations facing severe winters to adapt to using large home ranges in summer. Our results shed light on how wintering areas appear and expand.

Spatial organization and behaviour of badgers (Meles meles) in a moderate-density population

2006 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate L. Palphramand ◽  
Geraldine Newton-Cross ◽  
Piran C. L. White
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Meles Meles ◽  
Moderate Density ◽  
Density Population

Spatial organization and demography of badgers (Meles meles) in Bialowieza Primeval Forest, Poland, and the influence of earthworms on badger densities in Europe

2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafal Kowalczyk ◽  
Andrzej Zalewski ◽  
Bogumila Jedrzejewska ◽  
Wlodzimierz Jedrzejewski
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Meles Meles ◽  
Mean Annual Temperature ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Primeval Forest ◽  
Annual Productivity ◽  
Temperate Europe ◽  
Large Groups ◽  
Białowieża Primeval Forest

From 1996 to 2001 we studied the spatial organization and demography of Eurasian badgers, Meles meles, in Białowieża Primeval Forest in eastern Poland, one of the best preserved woodlands in temperate Europe. Badger density estimated on the basis of main sett distribution (0.54 sett/10 km2) and group size (3.9 individuals per sett, on average) was 2.11 badgers/10 km2. Average annual productivity of the population was 64% and the mortality rate of badgers >1 year old was 22–38% per annum. The size of territories of badger groups (n = 7), estimated by radio telemetry, varied from 8.4 to 25.5 km2 (mean 12.8 km2). Individual home ranges of badgers (n = 13) covered, on average, 9.3 km2, and varied seasonally and among animals of different age and sex classes (from 4.0 to 24.4 km2). Home ranges of adult badgers were significantly larger than those of subadults. Badgers occupied larger home ranges in summer, when earthworm availability was low. The size of both group territories and individual home ranges was influenced by the distribution of oak–lime–hornbeam (OLH) forests, habitats rich in earthworms. Based on our findings and a review of literature, we propose that the standing crop of biomass of earthworms (Lumbricus spp.), the main food of badgers in a large part of their geographic range, and mean annual temperature are crucial factors shaping the densities of badgers in the European temperate and boreal zones. We also suggest that abundance of food resources is the essential factor underlying the great variation in badger sociality (from pairs to large groups).

Factors shaping population density, demography and spatial organization of the Eurasian badger Meles meles in mountains – the Western Carpathians (Southern Poland) as a case study

2012 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 479-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert W. Mysłajek ◽  
Sabina Nowak ◽  
Anna Rożen ◽  
Bogumiła Jędrzejewska
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Meles Meles ◽  
Western Carpathians ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Southern Poland ◽  
Eurasian Badger ◽  
Arable Fields

We studied the socio-spatial ecology of the Eurasian badger (Meles meles) along the altitudinal gradient (250-1257 m a.s.l.) of the Western Carpathians (Southern Poland), 2004-2009. Family groups were small (mean 2.3 individuals) and home-ranges large (mean 5.42 km2, MCP 100%), which gave a low population density (2.2 individuals/10 km2). Badgers foraged mainly in the foothills, irrespective of the altitude at which their sett was located. They mostly searched for food in meadows, pastures and arable fields (34.4% of telemetry locations), or among shrubs (33.9%). Badgers were killed by hunters (0.37 individuals/10 km2 annually), and by wolves (0.07 individuals/10 km2). The badger population density was influenced mostly by the abundance of earthworms and hunting pressure, while the size and shape of their territories was determined by the distribution of foraging grounds.

Spatial organization and mating behavior of the Japanese serow under a low population density

Mammalia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-226
Author(s):  
Hayato Takada ◽  
Keita Nakamura ◽  
Haruko Watanabe ◽  
Masato Minami
Keyword(s):  
Mating Behavior ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
High Density ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Agonistic Interaction ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Core Areas ◽  
Japanese Serow ◽  
Density Population

AbstractIn high-density populations, the adults of the Japanese serow (Capricornis crispus) defend their home ranges against same-sex intruders, and a male’s territory typically overlaps with those of one to three females. We examined the spatial organization and mating behavior of the species in a low-density population by direct observation and radio-tracking over a 4-year period. The home range size of both males and females was more than 4 times larger than that reported in high-density populations. Adult females had ranges that overlapped little, even though they were never observed in agonistic interaction. In contrast, adult males had ranges that overlapped largely except in their core areas, and appeared to be tolerant on encounters, suggesting they did not defend their whole range as a territory. Although males’ ranges overlapped with multiple female ranges, males were only observed following a single female during the mating season. These findings suggest that males directly defended a female rather than a territory, and that the mating system is monogamous. The Japanese serow’s social organization would therefore vary according to ecological conditions.

The avoidance of farmyards by European badgers Meles meles in a medium density population

2015 ◽  
Vol 171 ◽  
pp. 170-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enda Mary Mullen ◽  
Teresa MacWhite ◽  
Peter K. Maher ◽  
David J. Kelly ◽  
Nicola M. Marples ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Meles Meles ◽  
Medium Density ◽  
European Badgers ◽  
Density Population

scholarly journals Ability of Spalangia endius (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) to Parasitize Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) after Switching Hosts

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 613
Author(s):  
Yuan Zheng ◽  
Zi-Wei Song ◽  
Yu-Ping Zhang ◽  
Dun-Song Li
Keyword(s):  
Bactrocera Dorsalis ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Emergence Time ◽  
Functional Responses ◽  
Parasitism Rate ◽  
Spalangia Endius ◽  
Pupal Parasite ◽  
Density Population

We studied the parasitism capacity of Spalangia endius as a pupal parasite of Bactocera dorsalis after switching hosts. We used pupae of B. dorsalis and M. domestica as the hosts and studied parasitism by S. endius in the laboratory. The parasitism capacities were compared at different host densities and different parasitoid ages. The two functional responses of S. endius fitted a Holling Type II equation. More M. domestica were parasitized than B. dorsalis at all the densities. The ability of S. endius to control M. domestica was α/Th (parasitism capacity) = 32.1950, which was much stronger than that of control B. dorsalis, which was α/Th = 4.7380. The parasitism rate of wasps that had parasitized B. dorsalis had decreased by the emergence time of parasitoids. These results suggest that the parasitoid-pest ratio should be 1:25 to maintain a relatively stable parasitism rate for control of B. dorsalis. The S. endius colony reared on M. domestica successfully controlled a low-density population of B. dorsalis in the lab. We provide evidence suggesting that the parasitism capacity of S. endius needs to be improved.

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