Home Range Size in Eastern Chipmunks, Tamias striatus, as a Function of Number of Captures: Statistical Biases of Inadequate Sampling

Abstract

Four summers of trapping data for the eastern chipmunk ( Tamias striatus ) were examined quantitatively in order to identify factors accounting for variation in home range size. Home range is linearly dependent upon the number of captures utilized to calculate a home range, whereas the mean percent change in home range is an asymptotic function of capture interval. In order to measure home range accurately, a minimum of twenty capture points is suggested. In analyses where home range size was based upon a minimum of four captures, significant differences were found in home range sizes between sexes, age groups and years. When strong statistical data were used in home range analysis (i.e., a minimum of 20 captures determining home range), there were no statistical differences among any categories. These results demonstrate the importance of minimum capture number in home range studies.