scholarly journals Ecology of a Recently Discovered Population Segment of Blanding’s Turtles, Emydoidea blandingii, in Barren Meadow and Keddy Brooks, Nova Scotia

2012 ◽  
Vol 126 (2) ◽  
pp. 89
Author(s):  
José Lefebvre ◽  
Stephen W. Mockford ◽  
Tom B. Herman
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Restricted Gene Flow ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Radio Tracking ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
River Population ◽  
Emydoidea Blandingii ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
Population Segment

Blanding’s Turtles in Barren Meadow Brook and Keddy Brook are part of the Pleasant River population, the easternmost population currently recognized in Nova Scotia. Previous genetic analysis demonstrated restricted gene flow among the populations of Nova Scotia. The conservation of this genetic diversity is important to reduce genetic drift and bottleneck effects in these populations. Between 2006 and 2008, the population in Barren Meadow Brook and Keddy Brook was estimated using visual surveys, trapping, and radio-tracking. Over the three years, surveys yielded 69 individuals (14 females, 22 males, 29 juveniles, 4 undetermined). Capture-mark-recapture analysis using the Chapman variation of Petersen formulas for bi-census yielded population estimates of 88 Blanding’s Turtles. The sex ratio did not deviate significantly from 1:1. Applying minimum convex polygon (MCP) and kernel methods to radio-tracking data yielded preliminary estimates of home range size and location for males and females. Females had larger homes ranges, probably because of the limited availability of nesting sites in Barren Meadow and Keddy Brooks. New overwintering sites and three new nesting sites were identified. Home ranges of males did not overlap, and males seemed to show territorial behaviour. An expanded sample, particularly of males, is needed to improve the assessment of home ranges, movements, and behaviour. To date, conservation efforts in this population have focused on females. If home ranges of males in an expanded sample also do not overlap, then conservation of this population requires closer scrutiny of males and their population genetic structure.

scholarly journals Movements of the Eastern Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis sauritus) in Nova Scotia

2016 ◽  
Vol 129 (4) ◽  
pp. 379
Author(s):  
T. L. Imlay ◽  
J. Saroli ◽  
T. B. Herman ◽  
S. W. Mockford
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Annual Variation ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Daily Movement ◽  
The Status ◽  
Best Fit

The disjunct Eastern Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis sauritus) population in southwest Nova Scotia is listed as “threatened” by the committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. A study of the movements of the species at two lakeshore locations known to support a high density of Eastern Ribbonsnakes was undertaken in 2007 and 2008. Average seasonal movements at both sites ranged from 17 m to 84 m for juvenile snakes and 21 m to 130 m for adults; one neonate was recaptured during the study after travelling 32 m. The maximum distance travelled by an individual snake was 391 m in one season. The best-fit model to explain differences in daily movement patterns included year (P = 0.041), indicating that there is annual variation in the movements of this species. Low recapture rates precluded accurate estimates of home-range size, which varied roughly from 0.16 ha to 0.78 ha. Both movements and home ranges were larger than previously documented in Nova Scotia, but maximum distances travelled were consistent with a previous study in Michigan. Most documented movements were along the lakeshore within contiguous, suitable habitat. More work is needed to understand the frequency of large movements and triggers that initiate movements, e.g., changes in water levels, habitat suitability, or prey availability.

Variation in the home-range size of the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis)

2010 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross L. Goldingay ◽  
David J. Sharpe ◽  
Matt D. J. Dobson
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Habitat Quality ◽  
New South ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Squirrel Glider ◽  
Range Estimate

The home-range area of animals may vary geographically and in response to habitat quality. We investigated the size of squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) home ranges near Brisbane, Queensland, and at Tea Gardens on the central coast of New South Wales. Habitat at both sites had been partially cleared and had been subjected to grazing for several decades. Twelve gliders were tracked over an average of 3.5 months in Brisbane. The fixed kernel (FK95%) home-range estimate averaged 4.6 ± 0.7 (s.e.) ha while the minimum convex polygon (MCP100%) averaged 6.7 ± 1.5 ha. Six gliders were tracked over 1 month at Tea Gardens. The FK95% home-range estimate averaged 14.8 ± 2.4 ha while the MCP100% averaged 13.3 ± 3.1 ha. The Tea Gardens values are derived from relatively short periods and are likely to underestimate the areas used. This study demonstrates that home-range size can vary substantially in the squirrel glider. This has implications for understanding how this species responds to variation in habitat quality and highlights the need for site-specific studies to inform aspects of management.

scholarly journals Importance of canopy connectivity for home range and movements of the rainforest arboreal ringtail possum (Hemibelideus lemuroides)

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robyn F. Wilson ◽  
Helene Marsh ◽  
John Winter
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Radio Tracking ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
The Road ◽  
North East ◽  
Wide Road ◽  
Ringtail Possum

Roads and powerline corridors destroy canopy connectivity in the rainforest of north-east Australia. We tested the hypotheses that linear barriers affect (a) the alignment of home ranges, (b) use of habitat either side of linear barriers, and (c) the crossing of them by the strictly arboreal lemuroid ringtail possum (Hemibelideus lemuroides), which is known to be vulnerable to habitat fragmentation. Radio-tracking and a translocation experiment were conducted at a narrow 7-m-wide road and an 80-m-wide powerline. Homes ranges of lemuroid ringtails ranged from 0.15 to 1.67 ha (minimum convex polygon) and were aligned with the road but not powerline corridors. When lemuroid ringtails were experimentally translocated, wider canopy clearings over roads reduced their capacity to return to their original home range, and the powerline corridor was a nearly insurmountable barrier. No possums were observed crossing roads or the powerline corridor at ground level or residing in the intervening matrix, indicating that loss of canopy connectivity has a negative impact on their movements.

A PIT tag based analysis of annual movement patterns of adult fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra) in a Middle European habitat

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 531-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrich Schulte ◽  
Daniel Küsters ◽  
Sebastian Steinfartz
Keyword(s):  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Activity Period ◽  
Limited Area ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
Pit Tags ◽  
Salamandra Salamandra

Abstract We studied patterns of annual movement of individual adult fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra) during the years 2001 and 2002 in Western Germany in a typical middle European habitat for this species. We tested whether salamanders inhabit small home ranges and move little during the activity period as predicted for a species that shows strong site fidelity to a limited area. Initially, 98 individuals were collected in their natural habitat and marked with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags. Of those individuals 88 were released at the collection site for recapture during the activity periods of the years 2001 and 2002. Ten marked individuals were kept in captivity to test for the tolerance of PIT tags. We did not find any negative impact of PIT tags on marked individuals of S. salamandra, neither under captive nor natural conditions. Forty-seven of the marked individuals (corresponding to 53% of the 88 released ones) were recaptured at least once and 28 individuals (corresponding to 32%) were recaptured multiple times. The return rate of males (78%) was higher than for females (43%). Mean home range size (and standard deviation) was estimated to 494 ± 282 m2 for 4 individuals as the minimum convex polygon based on 5 to 6 recapture events for each individual per year and to 1295 ± 853 m2 for 3 individuals with 8 records over two years. Minimum distances moved inferred from individual recaptures increased during the activity period of both years with time, indicating that individuals have more of a tendency to disperse than to stay within a limited area. Our data suggest therefore that S. salamandra adults display site fidelity, but use a much larger area than hitherto documented for this and other terrestrial salamander species.

Movements and Home Ranges of Feral Pigs (Sus Scrofa) in Kosciusko National Park, New South Wales.

1996 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 711 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Saunders ◽  
B Kay
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
National Park ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
Feral Pigs ◽  
South Wales

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.

Home ranges and movement schedules of sympatric bridled nailtail and black-striped wallabies

1996 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 547 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Evans
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Radio Tracking ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Seasonal Differences ◽  
Dry Seasons ◽  
Species Movement ◽  
Wet And Dry Seasons

Home ranges and movement schedules of sympatric bridled nailtail wallabies, Onychogalea fraenata, and black-striped wallabies, Macropus dorsalis, were studied during wet and dry seasons by radio-tracking. Home ranges of black-striped wallabies (91 ha) were much larger than those of bridled nailtail wallabies (40 ha). Home-range size differed between sexes for bridled nailtail wallabies (males, 59 ha; females, 26 ha), but not for black-striped wallabies. Intraspecific seasonal differences in home-range size were not significant. All home ranges included diurnal shelter habitat, although the preferred type of shelter habitat was different for each species. Movement schedules differed significantly between wet and dry seasons for black-striped wallabies (which made a higher frequency of longer-distance movements during the dry season than during the wet season), but not for bridled nailtail wallabies.

Zamenis scalaris prefers abandoned citrus orchards in Eastern Spain. Ecological insights from a radio-tracking survey

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Martinez-Freiria ◽  
Marcial Lorenzo ◽  
Miguel Lizana
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Radio Tracking ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Patterns ◽  
Citrus Orchard ◽  
Subsequent Increase ◽  
Citrus Orchards ◽  
Active Forager ◽  
One Year

Abstract Zamenis scalaris is a generalist active forager Mediterranean snake for which knowledge on spatial ecology is very limited. We report insights into the spatial and temporal patterns, and habitat use of four snakes, obtained through one-year radio-tracking monitoring in a citrus orchard landscape, in Eastern Iberia. Snakes showed a highly secretive behaviour, remaining hidden most of the annual cycle (>96% of records). Annual home ranges and movements were reduced in contrast to the expected energetic requirements of the species. Despite a similar pattern of non-activity during winter and a subsequent increase of movement rate and home range size in spring, each snake adopted a distinct spatial behaviour in summer and autumn. Abandoned citrus orchards and accessory constructions were the most frequent habitats selected by snakes, offering abundant prey and shelter. These resources are likely playing a crucial role in the spatial ecology of Z. scalaris.

scholarly journals Annual vs. Multiple-Year Home Range Sizes of Individual Blanding's Turtles, Emydoidea blandingii, in Central Wisconsin

2008 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Schuler ◽  
Richard P. Thiel
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Convex Polygons ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Emydoidea Blandingii ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Short Time

Most studies of home ranges occur over short time periods and may not represent the spacial requirements of long-lived organisms such as turtles. Home ranges of 18 individual Blanding’s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) were measured using minimum convex polygons. Annual space use was compared to multi-year space use by individual turtles. We found a significant difference between annual home range size (25.5 hectares) and multi-year (two to six years) home range size (65.7 hectares; n = 18, P = 0.016). Caution should be employed when making management decisions based on short-term studies of long lived species.

Spatial Organisation of Urban Feral Cats (Felis Catus) in Jerusalem.

1995 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 299 ◽  
Author(s):  
V Mirmovitch
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Mating Season ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
Spatial Organisation ◽  
Similar Frequency ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Young Males

Feral cats were studied for 10 months in a residential area in Jerusalem and their spatial distribution compared during two 1-month periods, the first in the autumn prior to the mating season and the second during the mating season (winter). Cat locations were recorded by direct observations, and home-range sizes were calculated with the minimum convex polygon method. No significant change in home-range size of adult males or females was found between the 2 periods. Young males expanded their home ranges considerably during their first mating season. Home ranges of males were significantly larger than those of females in both periods (0.56 and 0.30 ha, respectively, in autumn; 0.75 and 0.27 ha in winter). The home ranges of both sexes overlapped considerably with individuals of the same sex. Overlap among home ranges of females indicated a group pattern. High overlap (80%) was found among females that fed from the same set of garbage bins with similar frequency. Lower overlap (20%) was found between individual females that shared only a subset of their food resources and used it with different frequency. It is suggested that the distribution of food patches (garbage bins), the amount of food available and the rate of food renewal determined the cats' spatial organisation.

Home range, nest use and activity of the Tasmanian bettong, Bettongia gaimardi

1993 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 87 ◽  
Author(s):  
RJ Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Plant Material ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Ground Vegetation ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Regular Pattern ◽  
Radio Tracking ◽  
Tracking Period

Home range, nest use and activity of the Tasmanian bettong, Bettongia gaimardi, was investigated in northern Tasmania. During 3-week periods in August and November 1986 and February and May 1987 radio-tracking of six females and three males was undertaken, five of these being tracked in more than one period. Home ranges of males were larger than those of females. There was no indication of any major differences in home-range size or shifts in location of home ranges between seasons. Nightly patterns of movement were essentially random with distances of 500-600 m between half-hourly locations being not uncommon. Males occasionally showed a more regular pattern of movement possibly related to searching for oestrous females. Bettongs became active soon after dark. The number of hours spent active was greatest during May (79% of length of night) and lowest during November (93% of night). Bettongs occasionally rested at night between two bouts of activity. Nests are formed from a hollowed-out bundle of plant material and located under fallen trees, shrubs or logs, or under low shrubs or clumps of ground vegetation such as Lomandra. Individuals used 3-6 nests per 3-week tracking period. Nests were usually only used consecutively for one or two nights, and different nests were used to different extents. A different set of nests tended to be used in different months. Nests showed some tendency to be located at one end of the home range. Nesting areas used by different individuals overlapped.

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