scholarly journals Home Range of the Spur-Thighed Tortoise, Testudo graeca (Testudines, Testudinidae), in the National Park of El Kala, Algeria

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-52
Author(s):  
R. Rouag ◽  
N. Ziane ◽  
S. Benyacoub

Abstract Spur-thighed tortoise is a vulnerable species, the local declines of populations require an imperative need for conservation. Research on habitat use is essential for understanding population ecology. To investigate the home range and movement patterns we studied a population which occupies an enclosed area of 30 ha in northeastern Algeria. Studies of movement showed that home ranges were substantially smaller than in Spain. This difference was due to the high trophic availability with significant richness in plants which make part of the diet of the tortoise. The home range varied from 0.287 ha in males to 0.354 ha for females; there was no sexual difference. The males are the most active with a distance of 3.79 m/d. Females and juveniles are respectively about 2.25 m/d and 2.11 m/d. The distance moved each day do not vary significantly by sex and ages. Results from this study are important for establishing conservation strategies for this vulnerable species.

1979 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald G. Eckstein ◽  
Thomas F. O'Brien ◽  
Orrin J. Rongstad ◽  
John G. Bollinger

The effects of snowmobile traffic on the winter home-ranges, movements, and activity patterns, of White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus), were studied during two winters in northern Wisconsin. There were no significant differences in home-range size and habitat use of the Deer in areas with and without snowmobiling. However, snowmobiling caused some Deer to leave the immediate vicinity of the snowmobile trail. Deer were most affected when they were within 61 m of the snowmobile trail.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
yang teng ◽  
Shupei TANG ◽  
lai heda meng ◽  
Liji Wu ◽  
Zhiqing HAN ◽  
...  

Abstract Home range size estimation is a crucial basis for developing effective conservation strategies and provides important insights into animal behavior and ecology. This study aimed at analyzing the home range variations, the influence of altitude in habitat selection, and comparing three methods in home range estimation of Chinese gorals (Naemorhedus griseus) living at a cliff landscape. The results indicated that there were significant differences between the annual home range sizes of individual animals but there was no difference in their seasonal home range sizes based on GPS tracking data of five female Chinese gorals from February 2015 to September 2018. The monthly home ranges decreased dramatically in May, June and July due to birth-giving. Notable seasonal variations were found in the micro-habitats of the Chinese gorals, as reflected by the altitude they inhabit, with higher altitude habitats used in spring and lower altitude habitats used in winter. Additionally, the altitude of monthly habitats was lowest in January, which may indicate an adaptation to low air temperature. We also found differences between estimation methods, namely minimum convex polygon (MCP), kernel density estimation (KDE) and α-local convex hull (α-LoCoH), with seasonal home range sizes derived from α-LoCoH being substantially smaller than those derived from MCP and KDE. In conclusion, our findings filled the gaps in home range study for this endangered species and contributed to effective conservation strategies. Considerations shall have to be given to the variations in home range estimation caused by different methods when dealing with rugged habitats, so as to make sure that any interpretation concerning the habitat use of the targeted species made on basis of such results would be meaningful and valid.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Teng ◽  
Shupei TANG ◽  
Dalai Menghe ◽  
Liji Wu ◽  
Zhiqing HAN ◽  
...  

Abstract Home range size estimation is a crucial basis for developing effective conservation strategies and provides important insights into animal behavior and ecology. This study aimed at analyzing the home range variations, the influence of altitude in habitat selection, and comparing three methods in home range estimation of Chinese gorals (Naemorhedus griseus) living at a cliff landscape. The results indicated that there were significant differences between the annual home range sizes of individual animals but there was no difference in their seasonal home range sizes based on GPS tracking data of five female Chinese gorals from February 2015 to September 2018. The monthly home ranges decreased dramatically in May, June and July due to birth-giving. Notable seasonal variations were found in the micro-habitats of the Chinese gorals, as reflected by the altitude they inhabit, with higher altitude habitats used in spring and lower altitude habitats used in winter. Additionally, the altitude of monthly habitats was lowest in January, which may indicate an adaptation to low air temperature. We also found differences between estimation methods, namely minimum convex polygon (MCP), kernel density estimation (KDE) and α-local convex hull (α-LoCoH), with seasonal home range sizes derived from α-LoCoH being substantially smaller than those derived from MCP and KDE. In conclusion, our findings filled the gaps in home range study for this endangered species and contributed to effective conservation strategies. Considerations shall have to be given to the variations in home range estimation caused by different methods when dealing with rugged habitats, so as to make sure that any interpretation concerning the habitat use of the targeted species made on basis of such results would be meaningful and valid.


Koedoe ◽  
1975 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
G.L. Smuts

Annual home range sizes were determined for 49 marked zebra family groups in the Kruger National Park. Sizes varied from 49 to 566 sq. km, the mean for the Park being 164 square kilometre. Mean home range sizes for different zebra sub-populations and biotic areas were found to differ considerably. Present herbivore densities have not influenced intra- and inter-specific tolerance levels to the extent that home range sizes have increased. Local habitat conditions, and particularly seasonal vegetational changes, were found to have the most profound influence on the shape and mean size of home ranges. The large home range sizes obtained in the Kruger Park, when compared to an area such as the Ngorongoro Crater, can be ascribed to a lower carrying capacity with respect to zebra, large portions of the habitat being sub-optimal, either seasonally or annually.


2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgina J. Yeatman ◽  
Adrian F. Wayne

An understanding of the factors that influence the distribution of the woylie (Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi) at local and regional scales has been identified as a key knowledge gap, because such knowledge may assist in the recovery of this endangered species. We aimed to investigate the seasonal home-range size and habitat use of woylies to update current knowledge of the species in the context of a substantial decline. Specifically, we examined the home range and habitat use of woylies reintroduced into a sanctuary free from invasive predators and compared these data to those from an external reference site. Eight woylies inside the sanctuary and seven outside were radio-tracked in autumn 2011. The average home-range size was 65.4 (±8.2, s.e.) ha. There was little evidence to suggest any difference in home-range size between woylies inside and outside the sanctuary. Woylies were more likely to be found in the slope and low-lying valley habitats, which have greater water-holding capacity and sandier soils. These relatively large seasonal home ranges, compared with previously published estimates for the species, may be accounted for by low population density, lower seasonal food availability and clustered food distribution. Monitoring the home-range size of woylies within the sanctuary may assist in identifying the carrying capacity of the sanctuary, which has implications for how this population is managed.


2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robyn Molsher ◽  
Chris Dickman ◽  
Alan Newsome ◽  
Warren Müller

Twenty-one feral cats were radio-tracked using direct sighting and triangulation techniques (amassing 730 location fixes) during winter in an agricultural landscape in central-western New South Wales. Factors affecting home-range size, home-range overlap and habitat use were assessed. Mean home-range size was 248 ha (s.e. = 34.9, n = 15 cats, 598 location fixes). Home-range size and habitat use were not influenced by sex or age of adult cats, prey abundance or time of day. However, cat weight significantly influenced range size, with heavier cats having larger ranges than smaller cats. Although the cats are apparently solitary, their home ranges overlapped considerably, particularly between young adults and old adult cats. Cats were active both by day and night and did not occupy permanent dens. Home ranges encompassed mixed habitat types that provided both shelter and prey. Open woodland and open forest were the main habitat types covered by home ranges, but within these areas cats showed a preference for grassland, where rabbits were more abundant. The results recorded in this study indicate that cat-control programs should concentrate in mixed habitat areas, where both shelter and food are available, and over widely dispersed areas. The absence of group living suggests that the effectiveness of virally vectored fertility or biological control agents would be limited.


1996 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 711 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Saunders ◽  
B Kay

The movements of a subalpine population of feral pigs were examined at Kosciusko National Park in southeastern New South Wales. Sufficient data were collected to estimate the home-range area of 20 pigs on the basis of 782 telemetry and trap locations. Mean (+/- s.d.) home-range size (minimum convex polygon method) for males (35.0 t 22.2 km*2) was significantly greater than that for females (1 1.1 +/- 5.2 km*2). Use of capture-recapture distances to estimate home-range size was considered inappropriate. A test for nomadism suggests that, although home ranges of pigs in this environment were larger than those reported for other pigs in Australia, the pigs were essentially sedentary. Management implications for this population are discussed.


1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 919-924 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hélène Jolicoeur ◽  
Michel Crête

Survival, movements, home ranges, habitat selection, and diets of 13 orphaned and 13 non-orphaned moose calves were compared during their first winter. Survival of four other calves that became separated from their mothers was also monitored. The study took place during three winters between December 1978 and April 1983. Overall, winter survival rates between the two groups did not differ. When mortality did occur, it involved solitary (orphaned and separated) calves during a severe winter. Movements and home-range sizes of the two groups were also similar. Biomass of forage on winter sites, forage utilization, and importance of tree cover were similar on sites chosen by orphaned and non-orphaned calves. Minor differences were observed in the order of preference of browse species. Five solitary calves were involved in either temporary or permanent associations with other moose.


2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (5) ◽  
pp. 838-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce N McLellan ◽  
Frederick W Hovey

We studied natal dispersal of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos), a solitary nonterritorial carnivore with a promiscuous mating system, between 1979 and 1998. Dispersal distances for 2-year-olds did not differ between males and females, but by 3 years of age, males had dispersed farther than females, and farther still by 4 years of age. Dispersal of both sexes was a gradual process, occurring over 1–4 years. From the locations of death, or last annual ranges, it was estimated that 18 males dispersed 29.9 ± 3.5 km (mean ± SE) and 12 females dispersed 9.8 ± 1.6 km. Eleven of these males dispersed the equivalent of at least the diameter of 1 adult male home range, whereas only 3 of the females dispersed at least the diameter of 1 adult female home range. The longest dispersals recorded were 67 km for a male and 20 km for a female. Because the social system consists of numerous overlapping home ranges of both sexes, long dispersal distances may not be required to avoid inbreeding or competition with relatives. Simple models suggest that 61% of the ranges of brother and sister pairs would not overlap, but the home range of every daughter would overlap her father's range. The home range of an estimated 19 ± 4 (mean ± SD) adult males, however, would overlap at least a portion of each female's range, thereby reducing the chance of a female mating with her brother or father. Understanding the dispersal behaviour of grizzly bears is essential for developing conservation strategies. Our results suggest that meta-population reserve designs must provide corridors wide enough for male grizzly bears to live in with little risk of being killed.


2012 ◽  
Vol 457 ◽  
pp. 193-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
KM Hart ◽  
AR Sartain ◽  
I Fujisaki ◽  
HL Pratt ◽  
D Morley ◽  
...  

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