Home Range Size and Seasonal Variation in Habitat Use of Aye-Ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis) in Torotorofotsy, Madagascar

Madagascar’s dramatic climatic fluctuations mean most lemurs adjust behaviors seasonally as resource availability fluctuates. Many lemurs will adopt one of two strategies, a resource maximizer or an area minimizer, when adjusting to seasonal shifts in resource availability. However, it is unknown if and how aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) ranging behavior is influenced by seasonality. We explored whether habitat use changed seasonally. We followed two aye-ayes, an adult male and an adult female, in the undisturbed forest of Torotorofotsy, Madagascar, from April 2012 to December 2017. We used instantaneous focal-animal sampling to collect behavioral data every 5 min and GPS locations every 20 min. We used the minimum convex polygon (MCP) to determine overall home range, and the Brownian bridge movement model (BBMM) to estimate overall and seasonal home range of the female aye-aye from November 2014 to October 2017. We used Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to determine whether there were significant differences in home range sizes between seasons across years and to examine whether there were seasonal differences in height of invertebrate foraging, generalized linear models to assess seasonal differences in travel rates and nesting locations, and χ2 tests to determine whether there were differences in forest strata use when foraging on invertebrates. The male’s MCP home range was 2,586 ha, and the female’s MCP home range was 765 ha. The seasonal BBMM for the female varied between 443.6 and 1,010.0 ha, though infant rearing appears to have influenced these values. There were no significant differences in seasonal home range, travel rates, nesting locations, or height of invertebrate feeding. However, canopy level invertebrate foraging occurred more often than understory or ground levels. It appears aye-ayes in this undisturbed forest were not influenced by seasonal shifts and had larger home ranges than any previously reported. These findings may indicate that aye-ayes in an undisturbed forest are resource maximizers, closely linked to invertebrate assemblages.

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Long-Distance Movement of a Female Polar Bear from Canada to Russia

ARCTIC ◽

10.14430/arctic4641 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 70 (2) ◽

pp. 121 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Amy C. Johnson ◽

Jodie D. Pongracz ◽

Andrew E. Derocher

Keyword(s):

Home Range ◽

Sea Ice ◽

Polar Bear ◽

Brownian Bridge ◽

Polar Bears ◽

Minimum Convex Polygon ◽

Long Distance ◽

Movement Model ◽

Female Polar Bear ◽

Long Distance Movement

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) display fidelity to large geographic regions, and their movements are influenced by sea ice distribution. Polar bear subpopulations are moderately distinct from one another, and long-distance movements between subpopulations are rare. We describe and analyze the movements of a female polar bear tracked by satellite telemetry from spring 2009 for 798 days. This female traveled an exceptionally long distance (totaling 11 686 km) from the sea ice off the Yukon Territory, Canada (Southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation) to Wrangel Island, Russia (Chukchi Sea subpopulation). In comparison to other polar bears in this study, this bear traveled farther, moved faster, and had a much larger home range in the first year. Furthermore, the calculation of the home range size by two different methods demonstrated that the commonly used minimum convex polygon method overestimated the home range compared to the less biased Brownian bridge movement model. This female’s long-distance movement was unusual and provides additional evidence for gene flow between subpopulations. Monitoring polar bear movements is useful to track such events, which is especially important at present because sea ice loss due to climate change can affect subpopulation boundaries and influence management.

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Bimodal habitat use in brood parasitic Common Cuckoos (Cuculus canorus) revealed by GPS telemetry

The Auk ◽

10.1093/auk/uky019 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 136 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Csaba Moskát ◽

Miklós Bán ◽

Attila Fülöp ◽

Judit Bereczki ◽

Márk E Hauber

Keyword(s):

Home Range ◽

Habitat Use ◽

Distribution Patterns ◽

Home Ranges ◽

Cuculus Canorus ◽

Utilization Distribution ◽

Minimum Convex Polygon ◽

Reed Beds ◽

Male And Female ◽

Distribution Maps

Abstract Obligate brood parasitic birds have evolved a rare avian strategy for reproduction by laying eggs in the nests of other species. In doing so, their breeding ranges, but not necessarily their foraging habitats, have become intimately related to the nesting territories of their hosts. We studied home range sizes and distribution patterns in Common Cuckoos (Cuculus canorus) on their breeding grounds in central Hungary, where cuckoos parasitize only Great Reed Warblers (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) in channel-side reed-beds at a high frequency (>50%). The geographic coordinates of tagged cuckoos were monitored by high-precision, remotely downloadable non-Platform Terminal Transmitter global positioning system (GPS) loggers, attached to 9 females and 6 males. Our results revealed bimodal use of habitat patches: (1) the home ranges of male and female cuckoos were packed densely along the channels where the hosts breed, and their distribution maps had high overlaps between sexes; (2) ~71% of cuckoos also visited nearby woodland patches, presumably for foraging, where the host species was not present. The size of cuckoo home ranges varied to an unusually great extent: 0.3–185 km2 as calculated by the minimum convex polygon method (85%), or 1–17 km2 when calculated by the more suitable kernel density estimation (KDE) method (Utilization Distribution 85%) for patchy habitats. Male and female cuckoos had similar home range sizes as estimated by the KDE method, consisting of 1–4 areas within the 2 habitat types of channel reed-beds and woodlands. No preference was revealed for night roosting locations between the 2 habitats or sexes. Female cuckoos were more likely to use reed-beds in the afternoons, when females parasitize host nests. Remote downloadable GPS methods offer an effective way of tracking cuckoos across large areas, but the estimation of home range sizes requires caution due to this species’ patchy and disconnected habitat use.

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Seasonal differences in foraging dynamics, habitat use and home range size of Wahlberg’s epauletted fruit bat in an urban environment

African Zoology ◽

10.1080/15627020.2013.11407601 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

pp. 340-350 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dominic P. Rollinson ◽

Joy C. Coleman ◽

Colleen T. Downs

Keyword(s):

Home Range ◽

Habitat Use ◽

Urban Environment ◽

Home Range Size ◽

Range Size ◽

Seasonal Differences ◽

Fruit Bat

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Summer-Autumn home range and habitat use of the Hastings River mouse Pseudomys oralis (Rodentia: Muridae).

Australian Mammalogy ◽

10.1071/am06005 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 39 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

P. D. Meek ◽

S. L. Radford ◽

B. L. Tolhurst

Keyword(s):

Home Range ◽

Habitat Use ◽

New South ◽

Home Range Size ◽

Short Term ◽

Minimum Convex Polygon ◽

Nest Sites ◽

South Wales ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean

Individuals from a population of Hastings River mouse (Pseudomys oralis) were radio tracked in a short-term investigation of home range, habitat use and movement patterns in Marengo State Forest on the northern tablelands of New South Wales. Results were assessed in the context of conservation and management of this threatened species and compared to research in other parts of the species? distribution. The mean summer-autumn home range (Minimum Convex Polygon) of five animals that met the home range asymptote was 0.78�ha, the minimum home range for fourteen mice was 0.72�ha, while median home range for males was 0.8�ha and females 0.53�ha. There was no significant difference in home range size between sexes. Habitat data indicated that fallen logs, including tree head and butt residue following logging, are important refuge and nest sites, even when rocks and hollows are available. A diversity of fern and other ground plant species (including grasses) was important habitat for the species, microhabitat consisting predominantly of sedge and rush was not favoured.

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Home range and habitat use by pacas in a montane tropical forest in Bolivia

Acta Amazonica ◽

10.1590/1809-4392201603163 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 47 (3) ◽

pp. 227-236 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Camila BENAVIDES ◽

Alejandro ARCE ◽

Luis F. PACHECO

Keyword(s):

Home Range ◽

Habitat Use ◽

Secondary Forest ◽

Agroforestry Systems ◽

Minimum Convex Polygon ◽

Forest Patches ◽

La Paz ◽

Agricultural Community ◽

The Mean ◽

Montane Tropical Forest

ABSTRACT We studied the home range and habitat use of paca (Cuniculus paca) in a rural agricultural community in the Alto Beni region, in La Paz department, Bolivia, where game meat is the main source of protein for a large portion of local inhabitants. We captured and radio collared five individual paca (4 females and 1 male), which were followed for six months in 2012 to estimate home range of the individuals and assess their habitat use and selection. The total mean home range (95% Minimum Convex Polygon) was 2.26 ha (SD = 0.80), and ranged from 1.5 to 2.96 ha. The mean female home range (2.04 ha) was smaller than the male´s (2.95 ha). Pacas used two (crops and fallows) of the three available habitats (secondary forest patches), and appeared to positively select crops over the other two. The importance of crops may be linked to the type of agriculture conducted in the area (i.e. mainly cacao in agroforestry systems), which may offer more food and shelter for pacas. Given that, the importance of habitats may change seasonally; this topic should be examined in future studies. Our results suggest that agroforestry systems may be important for the species since they offer a variety of food resources throughout the year.

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Seasonal Differences in Foraging Dynamics, Habitat Use and Home Range Size of Wahlberg's Epauletted Fruit Bat in an Urban Environment

African Zoology ◽

10.3377/004.048.0218 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

pp. 340-350 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Dominic P. Rollinson ◽

Joy C. Coleman ◽

Colleen T. Downs

Keyword(s):

Home Range ◽

Habitat Use ◽

Urban Environment ◽

Home Range Size ◽

Range Size ◽

Seasonal Differences ◽

Fruit Bat

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Population characteristics of Akodon montensis (Sigmodontinae) in response to habitat degradation and food availability

Therya ◽

10.12933/therya-21-963 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 5-13

Author(s):

Julieta P. Sánchez-Martínez ◽

Robert D. Owen

Keyword(s):

Home Range ◽

Food Availability ◽

Habitat Quality ◽

Resource Availability ◽

Habitat Degradation ◽

Secondary Forest ◽

Average Density ◽

Food Distribution ◽

Population Characteristics ◽

Minimum Convex Polygon

Small mammal populations can be affected by habitat degradation, causing changes in their abundance, density and movement. Akodon montensis, a persistent host for Orthohantavirus, is a common rodent species in primary and secondary forest habitats and is considered a generalist species. This paper analyzes how habitat degradation and resource availability affect the population characteristics of the species. Six plots were classified into three levels of degradation, with sampling conducted in June and November 2015. After the June sampling, three plots were selected for the increase of food resources for three months, to assess how this factor affects the population. Abundance was estimated with the capture-mark-recapture method and density was estimated by dividing abundance by the effective sampling area. Home range was calculated using the Minimum Convex Polygon method, and the Maximum Distance Traveled as the longest average movement between two sampling stations where an individual was encountered. More degraded habitats supported lower average density and abundance of A. montensis compared to less degraded habitats. Increasing food availability led to increases in abundance in the more degraded habitats and decreases in the least degraded. Changes in home range were most evident, decreasing in the least degraded plots after the increase in resources. The sex ratio did not differ from equity in any plot, nor with respect to any of the factors studied. Population characteristics of the species are determined by several factors, including habitat quality and food distribution and abundance. If changes occur in these factors (either artificially or naturally) then movement, abundance and population density are affected in response to such changes. Although some results were not statistically significant, an apparent interaction was observed between habitat quality and resource availability, thereby influencing the abundance and density of A. montensis.

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

Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1111/jzo.12906 ◽

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

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Field Observations on the Common Striped Possum (Dactylopsila Trivirgata) in North Queensland.

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr9960755 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 23 (6) ◽

pp. 755 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

KA Handasyde ◽

RW Martin

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Home Range ◽

Foraging Behaviour ◽

Male Body ◽

Radio Tracking ◽

Minimum Convex Polygon ◽

Far North ◽

Large Trees ◽

The Common ◽

Primary Habitat

Habitat utilisation and foraging behaviour by the common striped possum (Dactylopsila trivirgata) was investigated by means of spotlighting and radio-tracking at Shiptons Flat, far north Queensland. Vine forest was the primary habitat of D. trivirgata; however, animals were also observed in open eucalypt (Eucalyptus tereticornis) woodland. Information collected on foraging behaviour suggests that D. trivirgata are generalist insectivores consuming some fruit and other foodstuffs, such as honey. Radio-tracking data were used to calculate the home-range areas of two subadult males. The home range of the smaller male (body weight 290 g) was 5.2 ha (by the 95% harmonic mean (HM) method) or 6.5 ha (by the minimum convex polygon (MCP) method), and that of the larger male (body weight 415 g) was 21.2 ha (95% HM) or 21.3 ha (MCP). Large trees with hollows, which are utilized for denning, appear to be an important feature of the habitat for this species. D. trivirgata exhibits a pronounced degree of sociality and may breed seasonally. Observations suggest that amethystine pythons (Morelia amethistina) may be major predators of D. trivirgata at Shiptons Flat.

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