Social lives of adult Mysore slender lorises (Loris lydekkerianus lydekkerianus)

Despite the persistent use of the word "solitary" to describe nocturnal primate social behavior, increasing numbers of studies are revealing sophisticated levels of social interactions among nocturnal primates. This study explores the relationships among 11 adult Mysore slender lorises (Loris lydekkerianus lydekkerianus) studied over 10(1/2) months in Tamil Nadu, India. When all observations regarding dependent offspring are excluded, the animals spent on average 38% of their activity in various forms of neutral, affiliative, and agonistic behaviors. Affiliative behaviors were the most common type of social interaction, and males in general were more social than females. Low values for Cole's index (CI) of association emphasize that females rarely interacted with same-sex conspecifics, but commonly interacted with males. In turn, males also formed strong affiliative relationships with other adult males. This index also indicates that levels of affiliation are strongest among animals that share sleeping sites. The Hinde index (HI) suggests that males control proximity to females more than the reverse. A female's tolerance of multiple males in her home range and at a sleeping site may be related to high spatial variability of food resources. Such resources may constrain females with costly reproductive strategies (up to two sets of twins per annum) to a small home range. With their larger home ranges, males may be able to monopolize females by initiating social interactions, and also provide a benefit to females by contributing to parental care.     

Use of time and space by platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus: Monotremata) along a Victorian stream

Radio-tracking and mark recapture methods were used to characterize the spatial organization and temporal activity patterns of free-ranging platypuses in southern Victoria. The study area supported an estimated 1.3-2.1 adult or subadult animals per kilometre of stream in the three summers sampled. The individual home ranges of 15 radio-tagged animals comprised 0.33-2.28 km of stream; animals foraging exclusively in the stream had significantly longer ranges (mean=1.40 km) than animals which also foraged in associated pond habitats (mean=0.64km). Home ranges of grown females overlapped with those of neighbouring grown females, subadult and adult males, and juveniles (相似文献   

Orangutan Home Range Size and Its Determinants in a Sumatran Swamp Forest

Orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) in a Sumatran swamp forest used home ranges far larger than any described so far for the species, in spite of living at the highest density on record. Although it was difficult to estimate home range sizes, minimum reliably estimated home range sizes for adult females are ca. 850 ha, whereas subadult and adult males used ranges of at least ca. 2500 ha, and perhaps much more. Range overlap was very high: up to 16 adult females, 9 adult males and at least 15 subadult males were seen within a single 4-ha square in the center of the study area. We found no evidence for the use of seasonally distincthome ranges—commuters—, and only some subadult males may have been transients—wanderers—without a stable home range. The large size of the home ranges is attributed to the coarse grain of the habitat mosaic, with orangutans converging on parts with a high density of favored fruit trees. Orangutans at this swamp forest included a variety of habitat types within their ranges.     

保加利亚北部地区匈牙利小家鼠的空间组织结构

本文研究了保加利亚北部地区的匈牙利小家鼠在繁殖期的空间关系和分布。这种动物最普遍的空间关系是一雄一雌,也观察到两个或三个雄鼠与一个雌鼠、一个雄鼠与两个或三个雌鼠的组织形式。很少观察到雌性的社群小组。雌鼠之间的巢区没有发现重叠。一般雄鼠的巢区大于雌鼠。有一半雄鼠的巢区与一个雌鼠的巢区相重叠,其他的雄鼠与两个成年雌鼠的巢区相重叠。这些结果表明,匈牙利小家鼠具有多变的社群繁殖婚配体制,即单配制和多配制共存。比较普遍的一雄一雌的配对形式和雌性的独居特性,以及雌性之间巢区的相对独立性,表明单配制是该物种的主要婚配体制。     

Home ranges of introduced mammalian carnivores at Trounson Kauri Park,Northland, New Zealand

Abstract

At Trounson Kauri Park, we monitored the movements of 21 feral cats (Felis catus), 11 stoats (Mustela erminea) and one male ferret (Mustelafuro). In feral cats, the average minimum home range was 446 ha (±82 SE) for 14 males, significantly larger than the average minimum of 117 ha (±40 SE) for seven females. In stoats the average minimum home range was 107 ha (±20 SE), for nine males compared with 81 ha (±31 SE) for two females. The single male ferret had a minimum home range of 197 ha. Adult male feral cats lived on apparently separate, non‐overlapping home ranges; females occupied exclusive home ranges which were overlapped by adult males; home ranges of sub‐adult male feral cats overlapped those of other sub‐adult male, adult male and female feral cats. The home ranges of two neighbouring male stoats overlapped, although their core ranges did not; both these and the ferret's home ranges overlapped those of the neighbouring feral cats. The feral cats were often located in cover in pastureland or near the edge of larger tracts of forest within their home ranges; stoats near waterways in the larger tracts of forest; and the ferret near the forest/pasture margins of Trounson Kauri Park. Our results suggest that control devices targeting all these species should be set at a minimum spacing of 800 m in order to put the majority of the resident and immigrant predators at risk.     

Home range and ranging pattern in the slender loris(Loris tardigradus lydekkerianus)

The home range and ranging pattern of the slender loris (Loris tardigradus lydekkerianus) was studied for 21 months in a scrub jungle in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, south India. Sixteen individuals were observed for a total of 2261 hours. Home ranges were measured for eight adult individuals and eight juvenile and subadult individuals. Males had significantly larger home ranges than the females, and home range size increased post-weaning. The ranging patterns involved minimal female intrasexual overlap, large male intrasexual overlap and large intersexual range overlap.     

Alternative strategies in the acquisition of home ranges by male pine martens in a high-density population

Two strategies of home range acquisition by male subadult pine martens (Martes martes) were described from a high-density population inhabiting Bia?owie?a National Park. Four mother?Coffspring pairs were identified by genetic parentage assignments. Four subadult males showed two different strategies of home range acquisition: dispersal and sedentary. The dispersing males used an area 4?C10 times larger than in sedentary subadult males. A sedentary subadult male used his natal area with his mother, and in the following mating season, this male left this area and established a home range that overlapped greatly with another unrelated female near the natal range. A similar high overlap between another subadult male and an unrelated adult female persisted for 3?years. After the death of this female, the male extended his range to overlap slightly with two to four other females. The sedentary strategy adopted by some subadult males may explain the great variation in spacing patterns of solitary mammals.     

Spacing pattern in a social group of stray cats: effects on male reproductive success

Reproductive consequences of male spacing patterns have received relatively little attention in nonterritorial mammals, in particular in group-living species, where most studies have focused on the relation between social rank and reproductive success. We investigated the effects of spacing pattern on male reproductive success within a social, nonterritorial, promiscuous population of stray cats, Felis catus. Male home ranges overlapped home ranges of many females, consistent with a promiscuous mating system. Furthermore, males with the largest home ranges included the most female home ranges; they successfully reproduced with these females and had the highest reproductive success. Home range size predicted male reproductive success even when controlling for the effect of social rank. However, males also reproduced with females whose home range did not overlap their home range, suggesting that males can make quick excursions outside their home range to find new mating opportunities. We conclude that, in group-living situations, a male's ability to maintain a large home range may be one of the principal causes of variation in mating success in the stray cat.     

Reproductive biology of the slender loris (Loris lydekkerianus lydekkerianus)

The slender loris (Loris lydekkerianus lydekkerianus), a nocturnal prosimian, was studied for 21 months in its natural habitat of scrub jungle in Dindigul, south India. Here we report on its reproductive biology. Identified and unidentified lorises were observed for a total of 2,656 h. Reproductive seasonality was seen, with births and oestrus observed to be highest in April-June and October-December. The mating system was promiscuous with 1 female mating successively with 3-4 males. A gestation period of 5.5 months and an inter-birth interval of 7 months were recorded. Adult females had a reproductive potential of 4 infants per year. The findings presented in this paper constitute the first information on the life history parameters of wild slender lorises.     

The social organisation of a population of Sumatran orang-utans

Female orang-utans in a Sumatran swamp forest live in large, but stable, and widely overlapping home ranges. They preferentially associate with some of their female neighbours, possibly relatives, to form socially distinct clusters that also experience reproductive synchrony. Sexually mature males range more widely than females, but among them the dominant adult male has a relatively more limited range. His ranging and that of the subadult males reflect the local abundance of sexually attractive females. The other adult males tend to avoid these concentrations and focus on areas away from the dominant male. Females show philopatric tendencies. Male-biased sex ratios at birth give way to heavily female-biased sex ratios among adults. This suggests a net loss of males as they mature, due either to excess male mortality (e.g. by male mating competition), excess male dispersal from the population or a combination of both. We conclude that the orang-utan social organisation is best described as a loose community, showing neither spatial nor social exclusivity, consisting of one or more female clusters and the adult male they all prefer as mate.     

A telemetry-based study of bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) home range in Valley Bushveld

With the aid of radio‐telemetry, bushbuck home range was investigated to determine total home range size, home range utilization and home range overlap for the summer season. Estimates of total home range size for males using minimum convex polygons (MCPs) and fixed kernels (FKs) were 33.9 and 32.1 ha, respectively. Estimates of total home range size for females using MCPs and FKs were 12.0 and 13.5 ha, respectively. A significant difference between total home range sizes for male and female was found but there was no significant difference for age (adult and subadult). Female bushbuck home range size was compared to that expected from the published allometric relationship for the scaling of home range area on body mass, where the study animals appeared to have home ranges of half of that predicted. Bushbuck typically utilized one core area within their home ranges in which 50% of their time was spent in approximately 17.0% and 11.7% of their total home range for males and females, respectively. A substantial overlap in total home range and core areas between animals was found.     

Wounding aggression during the formation and maintenance of captive,multimale chimpanzee groups

Although the multimale community is the natural social organization of chimpanzees, both wild and captive adult males have killed other adult males and infants in intercommunity conflicts and intragroup aggression. Despite the potential for serious aggression, the formation of captive, multimale social groups is desirable for the efficient, long-term, humane housing of chimpanzees in socially and physically enriched environments and for the education of zoo visitors. The University of Texas Science Park (UTSP) has maintained multimale groups of chimpanzees for 14 years. In the UTSP outdoor corral housing, multimale/multifemale social groups of unrelated adult and adolescent chimpanzees (42 F, 46 M) were formed by a series of 397 individual introductions. Wounding aggression was minimal during introductions of females to males or other females and upon male-male introductions of formerly single-caged adolescent and young adult males having had long-term prior visual familiarity. Serious wounding occurred during male-male introductions when there were major discrepancies in the age and social experience of the subjects or when adult, socially experienced males were reintroduced to former group mates following lengthy separations. Male wounding in the eight established long-term groups of 5–11 adults (2–7 males) averaged 1.4 episodes per male-year of residence; 14% of male wounding episodes required surgical therapy. Adult wounding was significantly associated with the presence of one or more group females with maximally tumescent genital swellings. No male-perpetrated infanticides occurred. Not all multimale groupings are successful, but the majority of formerly laboratory-housed chimpanzees may live and reproduce safely in multimale groups. Experience with all-male groups at UTSP suggests that bachelor groups are also practical for long-term housing. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Linear roadside remnants: Their influence on den‐use,home range and mating system in bobucks (Trichosurus cunninghami)

Abstract Forest clearance results in a marked change in the dispersion of resources such as food and shelter: from a relatively continuous distribution, to patches and strips of remnant habitat set in a more or less inhospitable matrix. Such changes in the patterns of resource dispersion have the potential to strongly influence the dynamics of social and mating systems of resident animal populations. We studied the den‐use patterns, home range characteristics and mating system of a population of bobucks, Trichosurus cunninghami (Marsupialia: Phalangeridae), permanently resident in linear roadside strips of vegetation in north‐eastern Victoria, Australia in order to gain a greater understanding of the impacts of occupying linear roadside habitats on the behavioural ecology of arboreal marsupials. We radio‐tracked 11 adult females and six adult males and collected 2126 diurnal fixes (mean 125/individual) and 1044 nocturnal fixes (mean 61/individual). Males used significantly more den‐trees (mean 16.5 ± 1.5 den‐trees/individual) than females (mean 7.4 ± 0.6 den‐trees/individual) and had home ranges more than twice the size of those of females (male mean 5.1 ± 0.8 ha, female mean 2.1 ± 0.3 ha). On average, each male's home range overlapped with those of three females; there was little intrasexual home range overlap in either sex. Genetic parentage analysis of all young sampled during the study (n = 22) established that only males that overlapped in home range with females had sired those females' young. All but one male in the study sired multiple young in each of the years they were recorded breeding. These behavioural and genetic data indicate that the roadside population was polygynous, in contrast to the socially monogamous bobuck population we studied in a neighbouring forest patch. These differences in behaviour may reflect patterns of resource distribution in the two habitats.     

Spatial organization of the arboreal carnivorous marsupial Phascogale tapoatafa

Phascogale tapoatafa is a squirrel-sized carnivorous marsupial (Dasyuridae) found in dry eucalyptus forests of Australia. Radio-tracking and live-trapping studies at three sites in Victoria indicated that population densities were typically low, with females occupying home ranges averaging 41 ha (minimum convex polygon method) that were intrasexually exclusive. Male home ranges (mean 106 ha) overlapped extensively with females and other males, and expanded during the short breeding season to an average length of 2.7 km. When presented with the faeces of unfamiliar conspecifics, both female and male P. tapoatafa investigated the faeces of females significantly longer than those of males, suggesting that the exclusive home ranges of females are reinforced by olfactory communication, and that males are less responsive to the presence of potential rivals than to potential mates. Both sexes foraged throughout their home range, but the core area of intensive use was less than one-third of the total area traversed. The spatial organization of P. tapoatafa differs markedly from that of the closely related species Antechinus stuartii , but is similar to that of the only other extensively studied carnivorous marsupial, Dasyurus geoffroii.     

Spatial organization and spatial distribution of activities within home ranges in a Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) captive population

We studied over 1 year the spatial organization and the spatial distribution of activities in a captive springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) population living in an 18‐ha enclosure located in southern France. Throughout the study period, the two adult males occupied fairly exclusive home ranges, in the overlapping part of which the three subadult males were restricted. The spatial and temporal distribution of aggressive, marking, and avoidance behavior of males showed that the two adults were territorial, except during summer. They accounted for 71% of all marking behaviors recorded, for 77% of the aggressive behavior, and for 91% of the sexual interactions, whereas subadult males accounted for 94% of the avoidance behavior observed. The adult females used the whole enclosure, moving through the males' home ranges. They fed everywhere, but they all had the same preferred resting area, located in the center of the territory of one of the two adult males. They gave birth, accounted for maternal behavior and were engaged in sexual interactions in sectors differing from one individual to the other, but mainly outside the sector where all males' home ranges overlapped. Our results are compared to those reported in natural conditions and lead us to discuss both the functional interpretations of marking behavior, and the signification of a home range for an ungulate. Zoo Biol 27:19–35, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Mating system structure and population density in a polygynous lizard, Sauromalus obesus (= ater)

Increases in population density often are associated with achange in mating system structure in numerous taxa. Typically,male interactions are minimal in extremely low density populations.As density increases, males exhibit territoriality but if densitybecomes too high, the energetic cost of defending a territorywill eventually outweigh the reproductive benefits associatedwith territoriality. Consequently, males in high density populationsmay abandon territoriality and adopt dominance polygyny, lekking behavior, or scramble competition. We investigated the relationshipbetween population density and mating system structure in threepopulations of the chuckwalla, Sauromalus obesus (= ater),near Phoenix, Arizona. Densities in the Phoenix Mountains (2.7chuckwallas/ha) were lower than any population previously studied.In the Santan Mountains (10.9 chuckwallas/ha), densities weresimilar to populations studied in the Mojave Desert, and inthe South Mountains (65 chuckwallas/ha), densities were the highest yet recorded. Male mating behavior was examined by determininghome range overlap and by making direct behavioral observations.Male home range size decreased with increasing population density.There was little overlap in home ranges among males in allthree populations, whereas home ranges of males and femalesconsistently overlapped, indicating that males were strictly territorial. This conclusion was supported by behavioral observationsof interactions among individuals in a natural setting. Thenumber of females wihin male territories was correlated withfood resources (plants) in all three populations. Female homerange size appeard to be related to food resources whereasmale home ranges appeared to be related to female distribution,population density, and geology. The retention of territoriality in spite of high population densities raises new questions aboutthe relationship between density and resource defense.     

Activity and home range in a recently widespread European mink population in Western Europe

The European mink is a critically endangered mustelid species of conservation concern throughout Europe. Several conservation interventions have been implemented in recent years, supported by both national and European governments. However, knowledge about the natural history of the European mink is scarce and localized to a few specific areas. From 2007 to 2009, we studied mink activity patterns, home range sizes, and macrohabitats of mink home ranges based on 28 radio-tracked European mink (10 adult females, 11 adult males, 3 young females, and 4 young males) in the Foral Community of Navarre (northern Spain), in the Arga and Aragón rivers. We also provide insights on the spatial organization of the species. European mink presented a stable, mainly nocturnal and crepuscular activity pattern and required between 15 and 75 ha of fluvial habitats to establish their home ranges, which were also quite stable throughout the year. There were great differences between adult females and adult males, the latter having home ranges five times larger. In addition, whereas adult females mainly settled in lagoons and small tributaries, males also used to a large extent the main river sections. European mink presented a polygynous mating system, where males were territorial and encompassed several female home ranges within their home ranges. Lagoons and similar structures should be preserved and favored in management strategies, and tributaries maintained in good condition, as female requirements should be prioritized in plans to improve the general habitat quality for the species. Any conservation plan aimed at the improvement or recovery of European mink populations through habitat management should consider management blocks of at least 15 ha per each potential breeding female.     

Communal Nesting among Genetically Similar House Mice

From March to October 1986, 35 house mice, Mus domesticus, were fitted with radio-transmitters and tracked in and around a Colorado feed shed for an average of 5 (range 2 to 17) days. 5 of 36 simultaneously tracked pairs of lactating females used identical nesting sites. Genotypic similarity at 5 enzyme loci, assayed from biopsies of blood and toes, indicated that these females were more genetically alike than would be expected if pairing occurred randomly among females. We posit that female house mice recognize and preferentially form communal nests with close relatives. Aside from the communally nesting females, minimal overlap occurred among home ranges of lactating females. Only 4 of 10 adult male home ranges appreciably overlapped female home ranges. The home ranges of these 4 males overlapped less than the other adult male home ranges suggesting that males defend one or more females for access to mating. The possibility that communally nesting females are nursing each other's pups is discussed.     

Space use of common genets<Emphasis Type="Italic">Genetta genetta</Emphasis> in a Mediterranean habitat of northeastern Spain: differences between sexes and seasons

The seasonal home range size and spatial relationships of 16 adult genetsGenetta genetta Linnaeus, 1758 (6 males and 10 females) were estimated in a Mediterranean habitat of northeastern Spain. Genets minimum density was estimated as 0.98/km². Mean annual home range was 113.1 ha in males and of 72.0 ha in females. Males had larger home ranges than females in all seasons, but differences were only significant in winter. Home range size changed seasonally and showed a similar pattern in both sexes, with lower values in summer (males — 41.2 ha, females — 29.0 ha) and maximum ones in spring (males — 78.8 ha, females — 56.1 ha). Animals displayed spatial fidelity throughout the year. Core areas (MCP50) represented 27% and 19% of total home range size for males and females, respectively. Resting home ranges (based on locations of inactive animals) were 9 times lower than overall home range size. Individuals of the same sex overlapped less than individuals of different sexes, especially with regard to core areas, which showed almost no overlap. The results obtained suggest that (1) different factors are likely to affect the space use of genets, such as body mass, food abundance and reproductive cycle; (2) genets use space in a heterogeneous way, with areas of greater activity than others within their home range; (3) there was intrasexual segregation with regard to space use.     

Social System of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microcebus berthae</Emphasis>, the World’s Smallest Primate

Our goal was to provide a first characterization of the social system of pygmy mouse lemurs (Microcebus berthae), the worlds smallest primate species. During a 4-mo field study of 12 females and 27 males, we combined capture-recapture and morphometric data with detailed behavioral observations of individually marked subjects and genetic paternity analyses of a population in Kirindy Forest, western Madagascar. We describe the social organization of Microcebus berthae as a solitary forager living in an individualized neighborhood system characterized by extensive intra- and intersexual home range overlap of adult individuals within a male-biased population. Male and female pygmy mouse lemurs inhabited home ranges (males: 4.9 ha; females: 2.5 ha) that are more than twice as large as those of sympatric Microcebus murinus. On average, pygmy mouse lemurs of both sexes spent about half of the days sleeping alone. Preliminary analysis of genetic population structure suggests female philopatry and male dispersal. Sleeping associations of variable composition that consisted not preferentially of close relatives and proximity during part of the nightly activity contributed together with regular social interactions to the maintenance of a social network. The spatial distribution pattern of adult males and females, the absence of sexual size dimorphism, relatively large male testicular volume and moderate female estrous synchrony suggest a promiscuous mating system with a high potential for scramble competition. In general, there are many similarities between the social system of Microcebus berthae and those of other Microcebus spp. However, striking differences with sympatric gray mouse lemurs (Microcebus murinus) in female home range size, dispersion and sleeping behavior indicate the existence of species-specific socioecological adaptations in closely related species occupying very similar ecological niches.