Male Home Range Size Research Articles

Home Range Size and Habitat Selection in the Florida Pine Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus)

Recent reports of declines in terrestrial snake populations in the southeastern U.S. have highlighted the need for life history information for these often cryptic animals. In this study, we used radio-telemetry to describe home range size and habitat use of the Florida Pine Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus), a large fossorial species associated with the endangered Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystem. Florida Pine Snakes had large home ranges that varied in size among individuals (mean = 59.2 ± 50.8 ha, minimum convex polygon). There was no significant difference between mean annual home range size of males and females, but home range size differed significantly among seasons and between males and females by season. At the home range scale, Florida Pine Snakes selected natural pine forests and mature slash pine plantations, and they tended to use sites with shrubs and vines and very little bare ground at a local scale. As has been observed in other studies, Florida Pine Snakes were highly fos...

Ecology of a Recently Discovered Population Segment of Blanding’s Turtles, <em>Emydoidea blandingii</em>, in Barren Meadow and Keddy Brooks, Nova Scotia

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.

Black-Footed Ferret Home Ranges in Conata Basin, South Dakota

ABSTRACT. We estimated annual home ranges and core areas of black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) in Conata Basin, South Dakota, by collecting 834 locations of 28 ferrets (20 females, 8 males) through spotlighting from October 1997 to September 2000. Area-per-observation curves showed that a minimum of 23 locations were needed to estimate fixed-kernel home-range size. Mean 95% and 50% fixed-kernel annual home-range sizes of females (95%: 64.7 ha, SE = 11.6; 50%: 12.7 ha, SE = 3.0) were significantly smaller and less variable than those of males (95%: 131.8 ha, SE = 40.3; 50%: 35.6 ha, SE = 16.5). Minimum convex polygon home-range estimates also differed between females (41.9 ha, SE = 6.5 ha) and males (86.3 ha, SE = 21.3). Females' ranges were consistently less variable than males' ranges, regardless of the home-range estimator used. Female home-range size was negatively related to male density (r 2 = 0.433), and male home-range size was positively associated with age (r 2 = 0.671). Intersexual overlap ...

Home range size is determined by habitat composition but feeding rate by food availability in male Tengmalm’s owls

Animal populations are often limited by food and rearing offspring is energetically demanding. Life history theory predicts that parents of altricial bird species will often reduce their current reproductive effort when given supplementary food. Previous food supplementation studies have mainly focused on effects on female parents, while the importance of paternal behaviour has largely been neglected. We addressed the effects of natural and experimentally increased food abundance on male ranging behaviour and provisioning rate, female and fledgling condition, and final reproductive success, in the Tengmalm’s owl, Aegolius funereus, a species with obligatory biparental care. We found that males adjusted their parental effort by reducing provisioning rate at food-supplemented nests. Food supplementation induced an increase in body mass of females, and in body mass and haematocrit levels of fledglings. This suggests that the amount of extra food provided was enough for females to increase body condition sufficiently to start allocating extra resources to enhance the quality of current offspring. While the home range size of radiomarked males was not affected by food supplementation, it decreased with cover of spruce forest, which is a habitat that is denser in structure and richer in prey than pine forest and especially clear-cut areas. This suggests that habitat-specific prey abundance and/or cover may be strong determinants of home range size for males. Overall, the results provide novel insights into how habitat quality and food supply affect male hunting behaviour and biparental care, and how this in turn is reflected in fledgling condition.

Spring-season social organsization of the Hazel Grouse (Bonasa bonasia) in relation to habitat type in temperate forests of South Korea

Spring-season social organization of the Hazel Grouse (Bonasa bonasia) was assessed in relation to habitat type by radio tracking 16 males and 19 females between February (late winter) and June (spring), 2004-2006, in a 3, 000-ha study area of temperate forest in South Korea. In spring (breeding season), the social unit was a pair. The average homerange size of males was significantly larger than that of females in both 100% and 95% minimum convex polygons. Also, the home ranges of paired and single individuals were significantly smaller than those of individuals in flocks. Regarding habitat selection, natural deciduous forest ranked highest, followed by mixed forest, coniferous plantation, deciduous plantation, and others. The understory coverage was higher in habitats used by paired birds than in habitats used by birds in flocks, but there were no significant differences in tree densities. To sum up, natural deciduous forest provides suitable breeding habitat for Hazel Grouse, provided that understory vegetation is well developed.

High‐density areas for harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) identified by satellite tracking

AbstractThe population status of harbor porpoises has been of concern for several years, and the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) has been suggested as a method to protect the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena, Linneaus 1758) and other small cetaceans. In order to designate MPAs, high‐density areas for the species must be identified. Spatial distribution of small cetaceans is usually assessed from ship or aerial surveys. As a potentially more accurate alternative, this study examined the movements and area preferences of 64 harbor porpoises, satellite tagged between 1997 and 2007, in order to determine the distribution in the North Sea, the western Baltic, and the waters in between. Results show that harbor porpoises are not evenly distributed, but congregate in nine high‐density areas within the study area. Several of these areas are subject to significant seasonal variation. The study found no differences in the home range size of males and females, but immature harbor porpoises have larger home ranges than mature porpoises. The use of satellite telemetry for identifying areas of high harbor porpoise density can be of key importance when designating MPAs.

Home range behaviour in male and female poison frogs in Amazonian Peru (Dendrobatidae: Ranitomeya reticulata)

The poison frog Ranitomeya reticulata was studied for 3 months while mark–recapture surveys were performed. Ranitomeya species deposit terrestrial clutches and carry tadpoles to phytotelmata with few taxa performing biparental brood care including larval feeding. Home range size and spatial affinity to phytotelmata in the genus are linked to mating systems. In R. reticulata, individual home range size and overlap were similar in both sexes, indicating equal levels of site fidelity. Although territory defence was never observed, strong intrasexual intolerance within individuals' core areas was found. The large intersexual home range overlap for breeding pairs indicated that mate fidelity occurs. Individuals' home ranges were not overlapping, suggesting that R. reticulata lacks pair-bonding or strongly cooperative behaviour in parental duties. The number of ground bromeliads containing phytotelmata and home range size of males were positively correlated. Our findings suggest that females do not perform egg-feeding and male-only parental care is likely.

Space use of woodchucks across an urbanization gradient within an agricultural landscape

Rapidly increasing urbanization creates novel environmental conditions for mammals even in already humandominated, agricultural landscapes. Previous research on the behavioral responses of mammals to urbanization has focused on carnivores. Herbivores may respond to similar factors as carnivores, but herbivores also could respond to landscape alterations that generate variation in predation risk. We examined movements of 35 radiomarked, adult woodchucks (Marmota monax) located across an urbanization gradient within an agricultural landscape in central Illinois from 2007 to 2008. As predicted, home-range size was related negatively to urbanization. Home-range size of woodchucks in urban areas was ,10% of that of rural woodchucks. Urbanization had stronger effects on home-range sizes of males compared to females. Woodchucks are multiple central-place foragers, and their use of burrows within home ranges also was influenced by urbanization, with number of burrows per individual decreasing with urbanization. Because number of burrows was not scaled proportionally to home-range size, however, distances between burrows decreased in urban areas, and predation risk during interburrow movements should be reduced for urban woodchucks. Our results demonstrate the ability of woodchucks to exhibit substantial behavioral plasticity in response to urbanization and provide insights into how space use by multiple central-place foragers relates to predation risk. DOI: 10.1644/09-MAMM-A-254.1.

Space and habitat use of moose in southwestern Sweden

Increasingly, wildlife managers and land managers are challenged to maintain the viability of large mammal populations. Although the moose (Alces alces) is an ecologically, economically, and culturally important ungulate species found throughout most of Sweden, little is known about its ecology throughout the southern part of the country. We collected baseline ecological data on spatial and habitat use patterns in urbanized southwestern Sweden by fitting 22 adult moose (13 F, nine M) with global positioning system (GPS) radio collars. Home range size of cows did not differ among seasons (P > 0.10); however, bulls had larger home ranges during fall than all other seasons (P < 0.010). Mean home range size of males during fall and spring was larger than females during any season (P < 0.010). We used a Euclidean distance-based approach to analyze multi-scale habitat selection by moose. Moose of both sexes and during all seasons selected boreal forest and mires when establishing a home range (P < 0.10). Moose had seasonal differences in habitat selection within their home range (P 0.001), and generally selected clear-cuts and early successional forests, mature coniferous forests, and glades, but avoided agricultural areas and open water. Habitat and space use characteristics of moose in our urbanizing study area were similar to characteristics reported for moose in forest-dominated landscapes of Fennoscandia.

Energetic costs of male reproduction in a scramble competition mating system

1. The assumption that the primary limitations on reproductive success differ between the sexes is inherent in traditional sexual selection theory. Although the energy that can be allocated to reproduction is assumed to be the main limitation to females, the ability to attract and defend oestrous females is assumed to be the primary limitation to males. 2. Estimates of the energetic costs of reproduction in male mammals are, however, limited and have largely been obtained from sexually dimorphic species exhibiting female defence mating systems. These studies often reveal that the energetic cost of male reproduction is similar to or even exceeds that of females, and therefore challenge long-held assumptions of inter-sexual reproductive limitations, but their generality is little known. 3. We coupled measurements of energy expenditure with detailed behavioural observations of reproductive male North American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus). This species displays minimal sexual dimorphism and exhibits a scramble competition mating system, under which sexual selection favours enhanced mate searching effort by males. 4. We conducted the study over 2 years characterized by a substantial variation in upcoming natural food availability and across two study populations that experienced either natural food abundance or an ad libitum food-supplementation to investigate the influence of resource availability on male reproductive energy expenditure. 5. Under natural conditions, mean energy expenditure of males across the 2 years was high, approximating that of females during lactation. Furthermore, in the anticipation of high upcoming natural food availability and resultant offspring survival, expenditure approximately doubled (from 290 +/- 7 to 579 +/- 73 kJ day(-1)). When current food availability (and consequently the density of receptive females) was experimentally elevated, males displayed the highest levels of energy expenditure we recorded (873 +/- 98 kJ day(-1)). 6. Our results provide compelling evidence that the energy available for reproductive allocation places a strong limitation on reproduction in male North American red squirrels and contribute to previous work suggesting that high and limiting energetic costs of male reproduction may be a general feature of mammalian reproduction.

Changes in home range size of African lions in relation to pride size and prey biomass in a semi‐arid savanna

Within‐population studies are needed to investigate the extent of, and the factors underlying, intraspecific variation in home range size. We used data from 12 female and 8 male adult lions instrumented with GPS radio‐collars to describe the ranging behaviour of lions in a population from a dystrophic semi‐arid savanna, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. We measured prey availability at the home range scale in 2003, 2004, and 2005. For females, home range size increased as pride biomass increased, which is strongly suggestive of expansionism. Once controlled for pride biomass, home range size decreased as prey biomass increased. Pride ranges responded to changes in food abundance on an annual timescale rather than on a seasonal timescale. Female home range size was influenced by the abundance of kudu in the early dry season, whereas it was influenced by buffalo and young elephant abundance in the late dry season. This study shows that female home range size is mainly driven by the size of the pride, but also by prey abundance. Furthermore, female seasonal home range size may be determined, not only by prey abundance, but also by prey dispersion in the landscape. Home range size of males was driven by both prey biomass and the density of female prides.

Home Ranges and Reproductive Strategies in a Neotropical Lizard,Liolaemus quilmes(Iguania: Liolaemidae)

ABSTRACT. The study of space use may help us investigate the reproductive strategies being used by males and females of a particular species. In a two-year study, home range sizes were recorded in the lizard Liolaemus quilmes, comparing males and females (n = 52 for each sex), by season and by year. Males had significantly larger annual home ranges than females. They also showed greater variability in home range sizes from one year to another, particularly during the reproductive season. When home range size in males was correlated to the number of females within those areas, during the reproductive season, significantly more females were found in larger-sized home ranges, whereas no significant correlation was found during the post-reproductive season, when home ranges of males were smaller. When home range size of males was correlated to their snout-vent lengths and weights, no significant correlation was found. Males that occupied smaller areas and overlapped with fewer females, may suggest a mate-guar...

Home ranges, movements and activity of the short-tailed mongoose (Herpestes brachyurus) on Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract The ecology of Asian rainforest mongooses is very poorly known. The short-tailed mongoose (Herpestes brachyurus) is found in rainforests throughout Southeast Asia and very little is documented about its natural history and ecology. Here, we present results from the first radio telemetry study of this species. We captured seven short-tailed mongooses in Krau Wildlife Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia and radio-tracked five adults (three males and two females). Our observations confirmed that this is a solitary, territorial species. The mean home range size of males (233 ha, 95% MCP) was larger than females (132 ha). Females had exclusive home ranges (mean overlap was 3.7%), and male home ranges overlapped more than one female's range. Short-tailed mongooses showed a diurnal activity pattern: mean activity between 06:00 and 17:59 h was 84.7%. The mean minimum distance covered during a 24-h period by males (842 m) was significantly greater than females (468 m). Short-tailed mongooses were mainly found in lowland forest. Deforestation and pollution of watercourses could have serious impacts on this species across its range.

Male and female range use in a group of white‐bellied spider monkeys (Ateles belzebuth) in Yasuní National Park, Ecuador

Spider monkeys (Ateles sp.) live in a flexible fission-fusion social system in which members of a social group are not in constant association, but instead form smaller subgroups of varying size and composition. Patterns of range use in spider monkeys have been described as sex-segregated, with males and females often ranging separately, females utilizing core areas that encompass only a fraction of the entire community range, and males using much larger portions of the community range that overlap considerably with the core areas of females and other males. Males are also reported to use the boundary areas of community home ranges more often than females. Spider monkeys thus seem to parallel the "male-bonded" patterns of ranging and association found among some groups of chimpanzees. Over several years of research on one group of spider monkeys (Ateles belzebuth) in Yasuní National Park, Ecuador, we characterized the ranging patterns of adult males and females and evaluated the extent to which they conform to previously reported patterns. In contrast to ranging patterns seen at several other spider monkey sites, the ranges of our study females overlapped considerably, with little evidence of exclusive use of particular areas by individual monkeys. Average male and female home range size was comparable, and males and females were similar in their use of boundary areas. These ranging patterns are similar to those of "bisexually bonded" groups of chimpanzees in West Africa. We suggest that the less sex-segregated ranging patterns seen in this particular group of spider monkeys may be owing to a history of human disturbance in the area and to lower genetic relatedness between males, highlighting the potential for flexibility some aspects of the spider monkeys' fission-fusion social system.

Isometric scaling in home-range size of male and female bobcats (Lynx rufus)

For solitary carnivores a polygynous mating system should lead to predictable patterns in space-use dynamics. Females should be most influenced by resource distribution and abundance, whereas polygynous males should be strongly influenced by female spatial dynamics. We gathered mean annual home-range-size estimates for male and female bobcats ( Lynx rufus (Schreber, 1777)) from previous studies to address variation in home-range size for this solitary, polygynous carnivore that ranges over much of North America. Mean annual home ranges for bobcats (171 males, 214 females) from 29 populations covering the entire north to south and east to west range demonstrated female home-range sizes varied more than an order of magnitude and that, on average, males maintained home ranges 1.65 times the size of females. Male home-range sizes scaled isometrically with female home-range sizes indicating that male bobcats increase their home-range size proportional to female home-range size. Using partial correlation analysis we also detected an inverse relationship between environmental productivity, estimated using the normalized difference vegetation index, and home-range size for females but not males. This study provides one of the few empirical assessments of how polygyny influences home-range dynamics for a wide-ranging carnivore.

Using Fractal Analyses to Characterize Movement Paths of White-Tailed Deer and Response to Spatial Scale

It is often difficult to test hypotheses about how and why animal movement responds to environmental conditions, and at what spatial scales movement decisions are made, all of which are critical for sound management. We used fractal dimension (D) as a measure of tortuosity because it described animal movement patterns and was useful for testing hypotheses about effects of sex, home-range size, monthly rainfall, and reproductive phase on movement paths and for detecting changes in movement patterns of animals across a range of movement distances. We captured and fitted 33 (18 females and 15 males) white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) with global positioning system collars. We found that females moved more tortuously (D 5 1.75 6 0.035 SE) than males (D 5 1.549 6 0.025). These differences in movement were related to home-range size of females but not of males. Rainfall predicted D for females; thus, females may have been able to forage more intensively in a smaller area due to increased forage availability. Fractal D of females was greatest during the parturition period (1.468 6 0.02), likely due to restricted movements in smaller areas or increased foraging. Home-range size of males was similar in spring and rut, but D was lower during rut, indicating that deer changed movement patterns within previously established home ranges. Movement patterns were similar at path lengths related to foraging patches and home ranges, whereas movement patterns changed as path length approximated the size of habitat patches.

Survival, Movements and Habitat Use of Translocated Southern Fox Squirrels

We evaluated translocation as a restoration technique for southern fox squirrels (Sciurus niger niger) by capturing squirrels from six donor populations in coastal South Carolina and releasing them into unoccupied habitats on St. Phillips (n = 24) and Hall Islands (n = 28), South Carolina, during Jan. 1999–Jan. 2000. We monitored survival, home range size and habitat use during ≤90-d post release, 91–180-d post release and >365-d post release. Annual survival on St. Phillips Island (71%) was similar to reports for other populations in the Southeast, but survival on Hall Island (34%) was lower than reported for those populations. Home range sizes of males and females on St. Phillips Island and females on Hall Island decreased from ≤90-d to 91–180-d post release, and were similar to those of reported populations by >365-d post release. Home range size for males on Hall Island remained large throughout our study. During ≤90-d post release, males and females on St. Phillips Island established home ranges containing a disproportionate amount of tall grass marsh causing that habitat to rank higher than mature pine habitat. Tidal flats were represented less in home ranges than expected. By 91–180-d post release, squirrels on St. Phillips Island used habitats within their home ranges in proportion to availability. On Hall Island, squirrels used habitats within their home ranges randomly except for males at ≤90-d who used food plots more than mature pines and all habitats ranked above fallow fields and young planted pines. Our data suggested translocation is a useful tool in the management of southern fox squirrels.

Efficacy of a 15-Strand High-Tensile Electric Fence to Control White-tailed Deer Movements

Although, high-tensile electric fences (HTEF) have gained in popularity as a low-cost alternative to traditional fence designs, little research has focused on the effects of HTEF on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Our objectives were to: determine the efficacy of a HTEF to control deer movements and evaluate its influence on deer spatial dynamics. We conducted our study on the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation Wildlife Unit located in Oklahoma, USA. An electric 15-strand, 2.5 m high fence was erected around the study area in 1992. We captured and ear-tagged 419 deer from 1993-2005 and fitted 35 of these deer (19 females, 16 males) with GPS collars during winter 1998-2004. Eight of 35 radio-collared deer (23%) crossed through the fence a total of 15 times and returned 13 times. Most fence crossings were at or near a hole or water gap (75%; n = 21) while 21.4% (n = 6) crossed through the electric strands. Twenty four of 419 (6%) ear-tagged deer were reported dead or harvested off of the property over 13 years. We found ≥13 deer core areas and ≥29 of home ranges bordered the fence. Core area and home range sizes of males and females were larger for deer associated with the fence compared to deer not associated with the fence. The percentage of deer FK core area and home range perimeters in common with the fence was 17 and 28%, respectively. It appears deer were tolerable of the fence and willing to attempt to cross at weak locations (i.e., holes and water gaps). If fully maintained, the 15-strand HTEF would have been a safe and effective alternative to more traditional and expensive fence designs.

Home Range, Spatial Overlap, and Burrow Use of the Desert Tortoise in the West Mojave Desert

Understanding the space use patterns of a population may provide crucial information regarding land management decisions, such as delineation of protected areas. Herein we provide a comprehensive analysis of factors affecting the space use of Desert Tortoises in the west Mojave Desert, including physical, social, and environmental variables. Our objectives were to determine how spatial overlap, as well as multiple parameters of burrow use, influence home range size of this species. Male tortoises were significantly larger than females and exhibited very different patterns of space and burrow use; however, body size did not affect these variables. Male home range (100% MCP) and core area (50% MCP) size averaged 65% and 73% larger than those of females. Burrow use by males and females affected core area size, but not home range area. Females exhibited a strong male bias in overlap of both estimates of space use and burrow sharing, while using a significantly lower number of burrows per year. However, males overlapped and shared burrows with a similar number of tortoises of either sex. In addition, a high degree of home range overlap between individuals suggests a lack of territoriality in this population, although this warrants further analysis. These results suggest that social factors may not be the primary determinants of space use in this Desert Tortoise population.

Home Range Use of Free-Ranging Cheetah on Farm and Conservation Land in Botswana

Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) movements should be considered when developing management strategies for long-term survival and coexistence with humans. Although work has been done In Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania little data on the home range and territory size of cheetah In Botswana has been published. This study aimed to estimate male and female home range sizes and daily movement on farmland and a game reserve In Botswana. Cheetahs were monitored from October 2003 to April 2007. The cheetah were fitted with cell/GPS or VHF collars and released back Into their home range. Single male home ranges were 494 km2 and 663 km2 and a coalition of two males had a home range of 849 km2 (fixed kernel method). The females' home ranges were 241 km2 and 306 km2 (fixed kernel method). Females travelled a mean distance of 2.16 ± 0.07 km/day (range; 0–20 km/day) compared to 6.13 ± 0.30 km/day (range; 0–39 km/day) in males. Female maximum daily travel increased from 4.17 km/day when cubs where In the den to 8.16 km/day ...