scholarly journals Settling in: Reintroduced Persian Fallow Deer Adjust the Borders and Habitats of Their Home-Range During the First 5 Years Post Release

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mia Maor-Cohen ◽  
Shirli Bar-David ◽  
Amit Dolev ◽  
Oded Berger-Tal ◽  
David Saltz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Fallow Deer ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Percent Cover ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Novel Environment ◽  
Home Range Overlap ◽  
Homogeneity Of Variance ◽  
Range Overlap ◽  
Species Preferences

Translocated animals typically find themselves in a novel environment in which they must establish a home range in a manner that will maximize their fitness. We hypothesized that the initial establishment of a home range is followed by adjustments expressed as home range shifting, and occurs as familiarity with the landscape increases, until the home range is stabilized. We studied the process of home range shifting in 42 female Persian fallow deer (Dama mesopotamica) reintroduced into the Galilee, Israel over a period of 2–5 years. We used changes in the degree of home range overlap between consecutive years as an indicator of stabilization. We then compared how the mean percent cover of the key vegetation types (woodland, scrubland and open pastures) differed between the areas abandoned in the first year's home range and the areas added to the last year's home range relative to the first (using a weighted paired t-test). We also compared the distribution (using χ2 test of independence and Levene's test for homogeneity of variance) of %cover of the 3 vegetation types between the first and last year's home range. The average home range overlap increased over the 5 years following the first release. During the first-year post release, deer avoided open pastures and preferred woodland. In later years deer increase in the % open pastures (weighted t-test: p < 0.001) and decreased the % woodland cover (weighted t-test: p = 0.07) by abandoning areas with little open pasture and steeper terrain and moving into areas with more open pasture and moderate terrain. Variance of the cover types across individuals increased with time. We conclude that the home ranges of the reintroduced deer stabilized with time. The changes in vegetation and slope are driven by time-dependent changing needs reflecting a tradeoff between safety (refuge) and foraging. Our findings suggest that using the initially established home range to determine species preferences can create a misleading picture of what the optimal home range of the species really is. Individual variation in term of preferences can take a few years to be expressed due to the initial high-risk perceived by individuals in a novel environment.

scholarly journals Ain’t Nothing like Family—Female Brown Bears Share Their Home Range with Relatives

Diversity ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Astrid Olejarz ◽  
Jouni Aspi ◽  
Ilpo Kojola ◽  
Vesa Nivala ◽  
Alina K. Niskanen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Spatial Data ◽  
Ursus Arctos ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Brown Bears ◽  
Home Range Overlap ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
Centroid Distance ◽  
Range Overlap ◽  
Eastern Finland

Sociality in animal populations is a continuum, and interactions between conspecifics are meaningful for all vertebrates. Ignorance of social structures can lead to misunderstanding their ecology and, consequently, to unsuccessful species management. Here, we combined genetic and spatial data on radio-collared brown bears (Ursus arctos) to investigate kin-related home range overlap and kin-related centroid distance within central and eastern Finland. We found that the extent of home range overlap was positively correlated with relatedness among adult females. In addition, home range centroid distance decreased as relatedness increased. Moreover, there were significant differences between the two studied regions: female brown bears in central Finland were more closely related to each other, and the sizes of their home ranges were larger than those in eastern Finland. The smaller home ranges and lower degree of relatedness among bears in eastern Finland might be a result of the substantially higher hunting pressure in the area, combined with immigration of new unrelated individuals from Russia.

Spatial ecology of the giant armadillo Priodontes maximus in Midwestern Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 101 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
A L J Desbiez ◽  
D Kluyber ◽  
G F Massocato ◽  
L G R Oliveira-Santos ◽  
N Attias
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Sampling Effort ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Home Range Overlap ◽  
Movement Models ◽  
Range Overlap ◽  
Daily Displacement

Abstract The giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus) is the largest living armadillo. This naturally rare and poorly known species is endemic to South America and classified as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN. Here we explored aspects of the spatial ecology of P. maximus in Midwestern Brazil to gain insights on its ecology and biology to support conservation efforts. In 8 years, we identified 50 individuals of P. maximus and monitored 23 of them using telemetry methods. To characterize site fidelity and home range, we fitted individual continuous-time movement models and estimated Autocorrelated Kernel Density Estimates. We built a Structural Equation Model to evaluate how home-range area and daily displacement are related to each other, to sampling effort, and to individual characteristics. We estimated home-range overlap between pairs of different sexes using a bias-corrected Bhattacharyya coefficient. Finally, we formulated a canonical density estimation formula to characterize minimum population density. We gathered a total of 12,168 locations of P. maximus. The best-fitted movement models indicated site fidelity for all individuals and a median adult home-range area of 2,518 ha. Median adult daily displacement was 1,651 m. Home-range area scales positively with daily displacement and daily displacement scales positively with body mass. Median home-range overlap between pairs was low (4%) and adult females presented exclusive home ranges among themselves. Median minimum density was 7.65 individuals per 100 km2 (CI = 5.68–10.19 ind/100 km2). Our results are congruent with characterizing P. maximus as a generally asocial species, most likely promiscuous/polygynous, that establishes large, long-term home ranges, which grants the population a naturally low density. Spatial patterns and biological characteristics obtained in this study can be used to guide future conservation strategies for P. maximus in the Pantanal wetlands and elsewhere.

Male-female spacing patterns in the lizard, Sceloporus virgatus

1999 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison J. Abell
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Mating Success ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Male Mating ◽  
Male Mating Success ◽  
Single Male ◽  
Home Range Overlap ◽  
Range Overlap ◽  
Sceloporus Virgatus

AbstractThe spatial distribution of Sceloporus virgatus in the Chiricahua Mountains of Arizona was studied during the breeding season. Male home ranges were, on average, more than four times larger than those of females. Home range overlap of both sexes was extensive, with most individuals overlapping multiple males and multiple females. Home range overlap of males with females was significantly correlated with an independently calculated estimate of male mating success. For most females (71%), one of the males overlapped a substantially larger portion of her home range than any other male. Similarly, for most females (76%) a single one of the overlapping males courted the female more often or was sighted at closer distances to the female. The remaining females did not associate primarily with a single male.

Monogamy in an Australian arboreal marsupial, the yellow-bellied glider (Petaurus australis)

2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meredeth Brown ◽  
Susan M. Carthew ◽  
Steven J. B. Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Mating System ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Genetic Analyses ◽  
Home Range Overlap ◽  
Arboreal Marsupials ◽  
Range Overlap ◽  
Petaurus Australis

Several Australian arboreal marsupials have been reported to show variation in mating system across populations, but most previous studies have not included genetic analyses to confirm the observations. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that monogamy was the predominant mating system in a population of yellow-bellied gliders (Petaurus australis) in south-western Victoria, using a combination of behavioural observations and molecular genetic analyses. Home-range overlap, cohesiveness of pairs, rates of den site co-occupancy and location of den trees within the home ranges of 13 adult gliders were determined via radio-tracking. A monogamous social system predominated, demonstrated by extensive home-range overlap between cohabiting adult males and females (40–100%) and little home-range overlap between adjacent territories (<14%). Males spent ~55% of their active time within 25 m of their female partners and 55–85% of their sleeping time in dens with their female partner. The parentage of all juveniles spotlighted within the 400-ha study area was analysed using five microsatellite DNA markers. Of 37 individuals genotyped, eight of 13 juveniles were assigned both social parents as true parents with ≥80% confidence. These results suggest that social and genetic monogamy predominated in this population of yellow-bellied gliders.

Patch use by the greater glider (Petauroides volans) in a fragmented forest ecosystem. I. Home range size and movements

2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 559 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. Pope ◽  
D. B. Lindenmayer ◽  
R. B. Cunningham
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Patch Size ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Home Range Overlap ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Core Areas ◽  
Range Overlap

This paper examines home-range attributes of 40 greater gliders (Petauroides volans) in five patches of remnant eucalypt forest surrounded by stands of radiata pine (Pinus radiata) near Tumut in south-eastern Australia. Fixed-kernel smoothing methods were used to estimate home-range size for P. volans. For males, home-range size varied from 1.38–4.10 ha (mean = 2.6 ± 0.8 ha, n = 12) and was significantly larger (P < 0.05) than for females (1.26–2.97 ha, mean = 2.0 ± 0.6 ha, n = 11). Home-range size increased significantly with increasing patch size and reduced patch population density. Thus, small patches had more animals per unit area with smaller home ranges and greater home-range overlap. Our findings illustrate flexibility in the use of space by P. volans. Such results have not previously been reported for P. volans or any other species of arboreal marsupial. Considerable home-range overlap (at 95th percentile isopleth level) was observed between male and female P. volans. Pairs of females also exhibited home-range overlap. Males tended to maintain home ranges exclusive of other males, although some shared common areas. Contrary to the large variations observed in home-range area, core areas (50th isopleth) remained relatively constant, regardless of patch size, population density or sex. This may indicate that core areas are an essential requirement for individuals and resources they contain cannot be shared with congeners.

Pronghorn male spatial organization: population differences in degree of nonterritoriality

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 455-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine R. Maher
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Social Organization ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Behavior Patterns ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Antilocapra Americana ◽  
Home Range Overlap ◽  
Range Overlap

Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) vary in spatial organization. A literature review revealed that males occupied undefended home ranges in 12 populations and maintained territories in 11 populations. Low-productivity habitats and high or low population density could preclude territoriality. Using activity budgets, interaction rates, and home-range overlap, male social organization was described for a translocated pronghorn population in central California and compared with that of another population studied at Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada, to determine if males were organized differently. Interaction rates were highest during spring, decreased in summer, then increased in late summer coincident with the rut. Home-range overlap ranged from 0 to 85% and averaged 30.6%; small amounts of overlap resulted from geographical features rather than from behavioral interactions. Males joined groups of females and fawns during summer; few behavior patterns associated with territoriality were observed. Males occupied undefended home ranges and this spacing system may have been influenced by food abundance and distribution, population density, or a combination of these factors. Comparisons between Sheldon and Carrizo males indicated that, while neither population was territorial, the behavior of Sheldon males was closer to the territoriality end of a continuum between territoriality and undefended home range than was that of Carrizo males. Behavior patterns were very similar between the populations but some occurred more frequently among Sheldon males. Both populations lived in semi-arid habitats, where low primary productivity would make the costs of maintaining territories greater than the benefits. Differences between the populations could be based on differences in population density. The Carrizo population was small and widely dispersed and male–male competition appeared low; therefore, the opportunity to interact with other males was lower than in areas of higher population density. Comparisons with other populations were difficult to make because of a lack of quantified data on behavioral and ecological variables. Such data are required if more is to be learned about the effects of ecology and demography on social organization.

scholarly journals Measuring the Degree of Overlap and Segregation among Multiple Probabilistic Home Ranges: A New Index with Illustrative Application to the Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2913
Author(s):  
Alessandro Ferrarini ◽  
Giuseppe Giglio ◽  
Stefania Caterina Pellegrino ◽  
Marco Gustin
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Convex Polygons ◽  
Segregation Index ◽  
Falco Naumanni ◽  
Home Range Overlap ◽  
Range Overlap ◽  
Lesser Kestrel ◽  
Degree Of Overlap

Home range overlap/segregation has several important applications to wildlife conservation and management. In this work, we first address the issue of measuring the degree of overlap/segregation among an arbitrarily large number (i.e., n ≥ 2) of probabilistic animal home ranges (i.e., utilization distributions). This subject matter has recently been solved for home ranges measured as polygons (e.g., percent minimum convex polygons and multinuclear cores) but not yet for probabilistic ones. Accordingly, we introduce a novel index named the PGOI (probabilistic general overlap index), and its complement, the PGSI (probabilistic general segregation index), an index for computation of probabilistic home range overlap/segregation at individual, population and species levels. Whatever the number of probabilistic home ranges, the PGOI returns a single score ranging in the [0, 100] interval. We applied the PGOI to five lesser kestrels (Falco naumanni) at Santeramo in Colle (Apulia region; Southern Italy) as a case study. Our new index can be applied to any animal species and to home ranges derived from any type of probabilistic home range estimator.

Daily, seasonal, and annual variations in individual home-range overlap of two sympatric species of deer

2014 ◽  
Vol 92 (10) ◽  
pp. 853-859 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuelle Richard ◽  
Sonia Saïd ◽  
Jean-Luc Hamann ◽  
Jean-Michel Gaillard
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Species Differences ◽  
Roe Deer ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Home Range Overlap ◽  
Range Overlap

Behavioural tactics of animals are determined by both environmental and social factors. Among nonmigratory ungulates, most home-range studies focused either on the effect of environmental variables on home-range size or on the overlap between home ranges of different individuals. Here, as rarely in previous studies, we aim to identify the dynamics of the home range of a given individual, involving variation in home-range size and home-range overlap between periods, for two resident populations of contrasting species: red deer (Cervus elaphus L., 1758) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus (L., 1758)). In both species, yearly and seasonal home-range fidelity was high and constant (mean of 64% in red deer and mean of 66% in roe deer), possibly because of benefits accruing from knowledge of spatial distribution of food resources and refugia. Home range in winter, when food availability was low, was larger than other seasonal home ranges for both species. Differences in body size between red deer and roe deer accounted for observed between-species differences in space use, especially when the species were active at night. Our study clearly demonstrates that patterns of variation in home-range size are similar; however, between-species differences in body size lead to differential patterns of home-range size and fidelity.

scholarly journals Space-use scaling and home range overlap in primates

2013 ◽  
Vol 280 (1751) ◽  
pp. 20122122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Pearce ◽  
Chris Carbone ◽  
Guy Cowlishaw ◽  
Nick J. B. Isaac
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Theoretical Basis ◽  
Allometric Scaling ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Primate Species ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Home Range Overlap ◽  
Range Overlap

Space use is an important aspect of animal ecology, yet our understanding is limited by a lack of synthesis between interspecific and intraspecific studies. We present analyses of a dataset of 286 estimates of home range overlap from 100 primate species, with comparable samples for other space-use traits. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first multispecies study using overlap data estimated directly from field observations. We find that space-use traits in primates are only weakly related to body mass, reflecting their largely arboreal habits. Our results confirm a theory that home range overlap explains the differences in allometric scaling between population density and home range size. We then test a suite of hypotheses to explain home range overlap, both among and within species. We find that overlap is highest for larger-bodied species living in large home ranges at high population densities, where annual rainfall is low, and is higher for arboreal than terrestrial species. Most of these results are consistent with the economics of resource defence, although the predictions of one specific theory of home range overlap are not supported. We conclude that home range overlap is somewhat predictable, but the theoretical basis of animal space use remains patchy.

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