喜马拉雅灰叶猴栖息地利用和食性生物学

2006年4月至2007年4月在巴基斯坦克什米尔地区马希亚拉国家公园(Machiara National Park)对喜马拉雅灰叶猴(Semnopithecus entellus ajex)的栖息地利用和食性生物学进行研究。结果表明,冬天,叶猴首选的栖息地多为温暖湿润的针叶林和落叶林混交地区;夏天,它们则迁移至高海拔的亚高山灌木丛林里。喜马拉雅灰叶猴主要以植物的叶子为食,研究期间在该地区共发现49种被采食过的植物(夏季27种,冬季22种)。通过观察它们的所有食物,发现老叶(36.12%)比嫩叶(27.27%)更受欢迎,随后依次为果实17.00%、树根9.45%、树皮6.69%、花2.19%和根茎1.28%。     

喜马拉雅灰叶猴栖息地利用和食性生物学研究(英文）

2006年4月至2007年4月在巴基斯坦克什米尔地区马希亚拉国家公园（Machiara National Park）对喜马拉雅灰叶猴(Semnopithecus entellus ajex)的栖息地利用和食性生物学进行研究。结果表明,冬天,叶猴首选的栖息地多为温暖湿润的针叶林和落叶林混交地区;夏天,它们则迁移至高海拔的亚高山灌木丛林里。喜马拉雅灰叶猴主要以植物的叶子为食,研究期间在该地区共发现49种被采食过的植物（夏季27种,冬季22种）。通过观察它们的所有食物,发现老叶(36.12%)比嫩叶(27.27%)更受欢迎,随后依次为果实17.00%、树根9.45%、树皮6.69%、花2.19%和根茎1.28%。     

Does size difference in allogeneic cancellous bone granules loaded with differentiated autologous cultured osteoblasts affect osteogenic potential?

We study the efficacy of bone regeneration by using two differently sized allogeneic cancellous bone granules loaded with autologous cultured osteoblasts in a rabbit model. Critical-sized bone defects of the radial shaft were made in 40 New Zealand White rabbits. Small allogeneic bone granules (150–300 μm in diameter) loaded with cultured differentiated autologous osteoblasts were implanted into one forearm (SBG group) and large bone granules (500–710 μm) loaded with osteoblasts were implanted into the forearm of the other side (LBG group). Radiographic evaluations were performed at 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks and histology and micro-CT image analysis were carried out at 6 and 12 weeks post-implantation. On radiographic evaluation, the LBG group showed a higher bone quantity index at 3 and 6 weeks post-implantation (P?<?0.05) but statistical significance was lost at 9 and 12 weeks. The progression of biological processes of the SBG group was faster than that of the LBG group. On micro-CT image analysis, the LBG group revealed a higher total bone volume and surface area than the SBG group at 6 weeks (P?<?0.05) but the difference decreased at 12 weeks and was without statistical significance. Histological evaluation also revealed faster progression of new bone formation and maturation in the SBG group. Thus, the two differently sized allogeneic bone granules loaded with co-cultured autologous osteoblasts show no differences in the amount of bone regeneration, although the SBG group exhibits faster progression of bone regeneration and remodeling. This method might therefore provide benefits, such as a short healing time and easy application in an injectable form, in a clinical setting.     

Home-Range Use and Activity Patterns of the Red Langur (Presbytis rubicunda) in Sabangau Tropical Peat-Swamp Forest, Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo

Knowledge of a species’ ranging patterns is vital for understanding its behavioral ecology and vulnerability to extinction. Given the abundance and even distribution of leaves in forested habitats, folivorous primates generally spend less time feeding; more time resting; have shorter day ranges; and require smaller home ranges than frugivorous primates. To test the influence of frugivory on ranging behavior, we established the activity budget and home-range size and use in a highly frugivorous population of the Borneo-endemic colobine, Presbytis rubicunda, within Sabangau tropical peat-swamp forest, Central Kalimantan, and examined relationships between fruit availability and ranging patterns. We collected 6848 GPS locations and 10,702 instantaneous focal behavioral scans on a single group between January and December 2011. The group had the largest home-range size recorded in genus Presbytis (kernel density estimates: mean = 108.3 ± SD 3.8 ha, N = 4 bandwidths). The annual activity budget comprised 48 ± SD 4.0% resting; 29.3 ± SD 3.9% feeding, 14.2 ± SD 2.5% traveling, and 0.4 ± SD 0.4% social behaviors. Mean monthly day-range length was the highest recorded for any folivorous primate (1645 ± SD 220.5 m/d). No significant relationships existed between ranging variables and fruit availability, and ranging behaviors did not vary significantly across seasons, potentially owing to low fluctuations in fruit availability. Our results suggest that colobine monkeys maintain larger than average ranges when high-quality food resources are available. Their extensive range requirements imply that protecting large, contiguous tracts of habitat is crucial in future conservation planning for Presbytis rubicunda.     

Variation in monthly sizes of home-ranges of Hooded Vultures Necrosyrtes monachus in western,eastern and southern Africa

Tracking studies are often used to inform conservation plans and actions. However, species have frequently only been tracked in one or a few localities, whereas space use can be remarkably flexible, especially in long-lived species with advanced learning abilities. We assessed variability in space use in the Critically Endangered Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus by pooling movement data from three populations across the species’ sub-Saharan range (in South Africa, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, The Gambia and Mozambique). We estimated minimum convex polygons and kernel density estimators (KDEs) and compared monthly home-range sizes between breeding and non-breeding seasons, age-classes and subspecies, accounting for uneven sampling within groups. Mean (± sd) monthly home-range sizes (95% KDEs) for adult Hooded Vultures from southern (12 453 ± 21 188 km², n = 82) and eastern Africa (3735 ± 3652 km², n = 24) were 103 and 31 times larger than those of conspecifics from western Africa (121 ± 98 km², n = 48). This may relate partly to subspecific differences, and individuals with small home-ranges in western Africa and Ethiopia were trapped in urban environments. Regional variation in space use by Hooded Vultures may be linked to flexibility in feeding behaviour (degree of commensalism) which may arise in response to resource availability and persecution in different areas. Age-class also affected monthly home-range sizes, with immature birds generally having larger monthly home-range size estimates than adults. Our results highlight the flexibility of Hooded Vultures in terms of their home-range sizes and suggest that home-range sizes differ between populations and individuals, depending on the extent of human commensalism. Our results also reaffirm the importance of international co-operation in conservation efforts aimed at protecting this wide-ranging, non-migratory species.     

Home-Range Attributes of Raccoons in a Fragmented Agricultural Region of Northern Indiana

Abstract: For many wildlife species, agricultural landscapes undergo spatial and temporal fluctuations in the composition of food and cover annually with the planting and harvesting of crops. Raccoon (Procyon lotor) populations have flourished in agricultural landscapes, where crops increase foraging opportunities and efficiencies. However, information is lacking regarding the effects of temporal shifts in food and cover resulting from agricultural activities on raccoon home ranges. We examined home-range characteristics of 60 (33 M, 27 F) adult raccoons in northern Indiana, USA, from May 2003 through June 2005 to identify shifts in the size of home ranges and core use areas among seasons defined by crop availability and crop developmental stages. Mean fixed-kernel home-range (92 ± 6 ha; xM ± SE) and core-area sizes (20 ± 2 ha) of males were significantly larger than those of females (58 ± 7 ha and 13 ± 2 ha, respectively), and both were smaller than those reported for raccoons in other fragmented agricultural landscapes. Home-range sizes varied little among seasons for either sex. However, home ranges of males were smallest during the crop maturation stage, whereas home ranges of females were smallest during the crop growing season. The results of our study suggest that even in expansive rural landscapes, raccoons can maintain small home ranges when food, water, and denning resources are readily available. Additionally, the lack of differences among seasonal home-range sizes, despite the presence of an ephemeral superabundant food source (i.e., corn) during the maturation season, was likely due to the close proximity of foraging and denning resources across seasons.     

Evaluation of glyphosate application in regulating the reproduction of riparian black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) after clear-cutting,and the possibility of leaching into soil

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.)—an invasive alien species in riparian forests—is becoming more prevalent in many rivers of eastern Japan. Riparian black locust forests are typically cut down to maintain river-flow capacity. However, such forests often reproduce rapidly by stump sprouting and root suckering and regenerate by germination. Thus, more effective riparian forest management approaches are required. To regulate the reproduction of black locust forests after clear-cutting, we examined the regrowth-inhibiting effects of glyphosate herbicide application to stumps, in accordance with current river management protocol (i.e., winter logging operation). Further, we investigated the concentrations of glyphosate leaching into the soil at a depth of 30 cm in a riparian area of the Tenryu River. Our results showed that glyphosate application to stumps completely inhibited stump sprouting but not root suckering or seedling germination. The glyphosate concentration leaching into the soil reached a maximum (2.6 ± 0.7 mg kg^?1, mean ± standard error) on day 1 after the application, and subsequently declined to below the detection limit on day 2. Thus, the rapid degradation of glyphosate was confirmed, despite the fact that the herbicide leached into the soil after application to the stumps. The glyphosate application has limited effectiveness against root suckering and germination of riparian black locust forests after clear-cutting in winter, in accordance with the current river management protocol.     

Sleeping Cave Selection,Activity Pattern and Time Budget of White-Headed Langurs

We describe the activity patterns and time budgets of white-headed langurs that were confined to about 4 km² of Longlin habitat in Fusui County, Guangxi Province, China. Between February and December 1996, we observed 6 langur groups monthly via group focal sampling and continuously recording the behavior of a focal group. Our results indicate that the langur groups selected stone caves on cliffs as sleeping sites. The daily activity pattern outside caves had 8 stages: (1) leaving the cave in the early morning; (2) moving and resting; (3) morning feeding; (4) moving a long distance; (5) resting at noon; (6) afternoon feeding; (7) moving back to the cave, and (8) entering the cave. Over the year, langurs spent a daily average of about 11.5 h outside caves and about 12.5 h inside caves. Moving accounted for 7% (spring), 7% (summer-autumn) and 13% (winter) of the time budget, and langurs spent 9% (summer-autumn) and 14% (spring) to 20% (winter) of their time feeding. Resting accounted for 79% of the time budget in spring, 84% in summer-autumn, and 57% in winter. Sunbathing only occurred in winter and accounted for about 10% of the time budget. One-way ANOVA and multiple range tests demonstrated that time budgets differed significantly among seasons. Langurs spent significantly more time feeding and moving in winter than in spring and summer-autumn, but significantly less time resting in winter than in spring and summer-autumn.     

Low-temperature tolerance of juvenile tarpon <Emphasis Type="Italic">Megalops atlanticus</Emphasis>

The tarpon Megalops atlanticus is a tropical to subtropical species whose pole-ward distribution is thought to be limited by low water temperatures. In the western north Atlantic Ocean juvenile tarpon occur in estuaries of the South Atlantic Bight (SAB) north of Florida near the northern limit of its distribution, but it is currently unknown whether these individuals can survive winter, grow to maturity, and contribute to the adult population. As a first step to determine whether juvenile tarpon can survive winter conditions in the SAB, we conducted laboratory experiments to estimate minimum lethal temperatures of tarpon exposed to 1) ambient fluctuating winter water conditions and 2) a constant rate of temperature decline. Juvenile tarpon exposed to ambient winter water conditions had a mean ± standard deviation (SD) minimum lethal temperature of 13.7 ± 3.4 °C. When exposed to a constant rate of temperature decline (2 °C day^?1), mean ± SD minimum lethal temperature (9.2 ± 0.8 °C) was lower than when tarpon were exposed to ambient fluctuating conditions. A combination of our results with all published data on the cold tolerance of juvenile tarpon resulted in an overall mean ± SD minimum lethal temperature of 12.0 ± 2.8 °C. Based on available long-term temperature records from SAB estuaries, overwinter survival of juvenile tarpon is unlikely in most aquatic habitats (e.g., tidal creeks, flats, open water). Similar to other estuarine transient fishes, juvenile tarpon likely exploit seasonably favorable nursery habitats and then migrate to other locations to overwinter.     

Dietary breadth and resource use of François' langur in a seasonal and disturbed habitat

Previous studies of Trachypithecus species indicated that they were selective feeders that concentrated on relatively few food species/items. From January to December 2005, I quantified potential food availability and the food species/items eaten by five groups of François' langur (Trachypithecus francoisi) in the Mayanghe Nature Reserve (MNR), People's Republic of China. These langurs fed on 164 species, of which the top ten accounted for 51% of all feeding records. Langurs consumed more species (91) in the spring than in other seasons (73 summer, 75 autumn, and 67 winter), and only 38 species were consumed in all seasons. Nontree food species, such as bushes and lianas, accounted for 47% of the total feeding records and for a majority (68%) of the feeding records in winter. The annual diet consisted of leaves (64% of feeding records), fruit and seed (32%), and other nonfoliage items (4%); the langurs switched from being more folivorous in spring (93%) and summer (79%) to being more frugivorous in autumn (53%) and winter (56%). There was no correlation between the proportion of feeding records and the food availability in the most frequently consumed species, indicating that these langurs were selective feeders; there were significant correlations between consumption and abundance in both the entire set of 112 food species and the set of 86 infrequently consumed species, indicating that foods that are more available are eaten more frequently. It appeared that in the seasonal and disturbed habitat, feeding decisions and diet composition of the langur may be driven more by food availability, and less by animal's selectivity, than at other sites. The results indicate that François' langur copes with habitat alterations by broaden its dietary breadth; this has implications for the adaptive significance of dietary breadth, and has implications for future conservation strategies for species which exist in degraded habitats. Am. J. Primatol. 73:1176–1187, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Overwintering strategy of Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys: adjustments in activity scheduling and foraging patterns

Temperate forests are characterized by pronounced climatic and phenological seasonality. Primates inhabiting such environments experience prolonged resource scarcity and low ambient temperatures in winter and are expected to adjust time allocation and foraging behavior so as to maintain their energy balance. We analyzed the activity scheduling of a group of Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti) based on data collected over 20 months in the high-altitude (>3000 m) Samage Forest, Baimaxueshan Nature Reserve, PRC. The forest consists of evergreen conifers and oaks and deciduous broadleaf trees. The diet varied seasonally, with young leaves preferentially exploited in spring and fruits in summer. The monkeys subsisted on readily available fallback resources (mainly lichens) in winter [Grueter et al. in (Am J Phys Anthropol 140:700–715, 2009)]. We predicted that this switch to a relatively low-quality diet would prompt an increase in feeding effort and decrease in moving effort. We found that the monkeys spent significantly more time feeding in winter than in the other seasons. The monthly time devoted to feeding was also negatively correlated with temperature and positively with percentage of lichens in the diet. Time spent on moving did not vary among seasons or with temperature, but day-journey length was found to be longer on hotter days. Time spent resting was lower in winter and under colder conditions and was also negatively correlated with time spent feeding, indicating that resting time is converted into feeding time during times of ecological stress. These results indicate a strong effect of seasonality on time allocation patterns, constraints on inactivity phases, and the prevalence of an energy-conserving foraging strategy in winter, when costs of thermoregulation were high and the availability of preferred food was low.     

Keep in touch: Does spatial overlap correlate with contact rate frequency?

Quantifying animal contact rate is crucial both in fundamental and applied studies to understand the evolution of sociality and predict the spread of infectious diseases. Researchers typically use home-range overlap among individuals as a proxy of contact rate, assuming a positive correlation. However, very few studies have assessed how the correlation between home-range overlap and contact rate may vary with ecological context. We used proximity loggers to quantify intraspecific contact rate among raccoons (Procyon lotor) and explored the correlation between contact rate and home-range overlap in different seasons. We monitored 15 female raccoons that formed 121 dyads during summer 2010 and winter 2011. We compared contact rate with the 5 most common overlap indices: home-range overlap proportion, home-range overlap probability, utilization distribution overlap index (UDOI), volume of intersection index, and Bhattacharyya's affinity index. Our results generally supported the contention of a positive and significant correlation between home-range overlap and intraspecific contact rate in raccoons. The strength of the relationship differed among seasons and indices, being weaker during winter than summer for home-range overlap proportion and home-range overlap probability. When contact rates were high, their frequency had stronger correlations with the UDOI and volume of intersection index indices than with the other indices. Our results suggest that the UDOI performs better than other indices, as we obtained a good contact rate–home-range overlap correlation with this index with animals both aggregated and randomly distributed in space. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.     

Short-term movements and strong dependence on figs of binturongs (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Arctictis binturong</Emphasis>) in Bornean rainforests

We evaluated short-term movements of three radio-collared binturongs in relation to food distribution in Bornean rainforests, in addition to the basic ecological information on their home-range size and diet. Mean 95% fixed kernel and 95% MCP home-range size were 4.24?±?0.79 km² and 1.54?±?0.89 km², respectively (mean ± SD). We recorded 13 fig Ficus species and four non-fig species as their foods. Fig trees accounted for 87.5% of the feeding sites of the three collared binturongs, and 87.9% including uncollared individuals. Our results suggested that binturongs’ short-term movements were strongly affected by food distribution, especially figs. They feed on various fig species and may remember the location and fruiting periods of fig trees. They may use the biggest fig species, F. punctata, as a fallback food when other foods are scarce. Although this is the first systematic study to describe movement and feeding habits of binturongs, further studies are needed to understand their ecology so that proper measures can be designed for their conservation.     

The golden langurs (Presbytis geei Khajuria, 1956) of Assam

The ecology and behaviour of golden langurs,Presbytis geei Khajuria, 1956, were studied in the western forests of Assam. During our survey 10 groups were observed of which one was all male group and the rest were bisexual. Group composition, sex ratio of adult males and females, ratio of adult females to juveniles and infants, percentage of females with infants, number of males in each group, daily activity pattern, intra-inter group and inter-specific relations, reaction to disturbances, and vocalisation have been studied and included in this paper. The similiarity and differences in their behaviour from those of Hanuman langurs have been discussed.     

Dispersal of Yearling Pronghorns in Western South Dakota

Abstract: We captured and radiocollared 57 pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) fawns in western South Dakota, USA, during May 2002–2003 and radiotracked them through 15 months of age, by which time all surviving individuals had established a permanent home range. We classified 56% (n = 19) of fawns as dispersers and 44% (n = 15) as residents. Eighty-four percent (n = 16) of dispersers departed natal home ranges in late October and occupied winter home ranges for 102–209 days before dispersing to permanent home ranges during April 2003 and 2004. Dispersal distances from natal ranges to permanent home ranges varied from 6.2–267.0 km. Winter home-range sizes for all individual pronghorns varied from 39.4–509.6 km. Permanent home-range size for all individuals varied from 15.5–166.1 km². Mean 95% permanent home-range size differed (P = 0.06) between residents (x̄ = 97.3 ± 15.1 km²) and dispersers (x̄ = 48.6 ± 16.0 km²), but was similar (P = 0.97) among sexes. Mean dispersal distance from natal to permanent home ranges was similar (P = 0.35) for males (x̄ = 54.2 ± 21.0 km) and females (x̄ = 26.3 ± 19.9 km). We suggest that habitat quality (i.e., patchiness) and pronghorn density, in part, stimulated dispersal. We hypothesize that as habitat patch size decreases, home range sizes and distance traveled during predispersal and dispersal movements by pronghorns will increase.     

Seasonality of group size,feeding, and breeding in wild red‐shanked douc langurs (Lao PDR)

In Asian colobines, small one‐male groups (OMG) seem to predominate alongside all‐male groups (AMG), while larger multimale groups (MMG) are rare, but are reported for Hanuman langurs and red‐shanked douc langurs. Recently, however, it has been speculated that the genus Pygathrix could have multilevel societies based on (1) a theoretical extension of the multilevel societies found in Rhinopithecus to all odd‐nosed colobines and (2) first data for black‐shanked douc langurs. This assumes bands composed of small OMG with a skewed adult sex ratio. Band size may vary with seasonal food availability resulting in smaller bands when feeding competition is increased. To investigate the social organization of red‐shanked douc langurs and potential seasonal influences, we observed 2 unhabituated groups at Hin Namno National Protected Area, Lao PDR from March 2007 to August 2008 for 803 hr. We recorded births and performed group counts and scan sampling of feeding behavior. Most births (79% of N = 15) occurred from June–September, indicating a 4‐month peak conception season from November to February. Group size averaged 24.5 individuals (range 17–45) with 2.45 adult males (range 1–4). Although the smaller group remained at a stable size (about 18 individuals), the larger group reduced from about 45 to 25 individuals during the 7‐months long lean season, when less than 50% of the feeding time was spent on fruits. This suggests feeding competition as a potential cause of seasonal variation in group size. With 1.9 females per male the skew in adult sex ratio was much lower compared with Rhinopithecus, indicating MMG rather than multilevel societies. However, data on the spacing and interaction patterns between recognized individuals need to be collected and analyzed before the social organization can be determined. Detailed ecological data are furthermore required to investigate the basis for the seasonal changes in group size found. Am. J. Primatol. 73:1134–1144, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Ranging behavior of the François’ langur (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trachypithecus francoisi</Emphasis>) in the Fusui Nature Reserve,China

Data on activity budgets and ranging patterns were collected from March to December 2001 for one group of François’ langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi) inhabiting a forested part of the Fusui Nature Reserve, Guangxi province, China. Our results indicate that the total size of the home range of the study group during the study period was 19 ha. The majority of their activities (52%) occurred within a small area, 22%, of their home range, and was concentrated in or near quadrats containing their sleeping sites, which may reduce the time and energetic cost of travel. The extent of the ranging behavior varied between months, with the smallest, 7 ha, recorded in July and the largest, 13.5 ha, in November. There was no significant difference between seasons. The monthly mean daily path lengths varied from 341 to 577 m. The daily path lengths showed significant seasonal changes: the path lengths were longer during the dry season than in the rainy season, which may be related to the scarcity of preferred food resources during the dry season.     

Spatio-temporal ecology and density of badgers <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meles meles</Emphasis> in the Swiss Jura Mountains

This study reports for the first time data on the spatio-temporal ecology of badgers living in a cold and wet mountain region (Swiss Jura Mountains). The home range, movements, activity patterns and habitat use of three badgers (two males, one female) were examined using radiotelemetry. Average home range size was 320 ha (MCP 100%), but the ranging behaviour of badgers varied at a seasonal scale. As in other regions, badgers were strictly nocturnal or crepuscular and showed a marked reduction of activity in the winter period. From spring to autumn, animals were active for an average (±SD) of 8.1 ± 2.4 h and travelled up to 9,460 m each night (mean±SD, 5,160 ± 2,600 m). The nightly distance travelled by badgers was positively correlated with their travel speed, the duration of the activity period and the used area, but not with night length. Year-round, the radio-collared animals avoided pastures and the vicinity of houses during their night trips. In winter and spring, individual badgers used forests and wooded pastures more than expected according to their availability, whereas cereal fields were actively selected in summer and autumn. Den-watching, night-lighting and radio-tracking data suggest that badgers live in pairs in this wet and cold region. Population density estimates range from 0.4 to 1.5 individuals/100 ha. We discuss the importance of trophic resources and climate as factors influencing badger behavioural ecology.     

Attenuated thermoregulatory responses with increased plasma osmolality in obese subjects during two seasons

Obese subjects may be more vulnerable to injury from heat stress, and appear to be less efficient at thermoregulation. Sweat rate, tympanic temperature and osmolality in obese subjects were investigated in Japan during two seasons. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between obesity, thermoregulatory response and season. Five obese (BMI, 32.0?±?4.9 kg/m²) and five non-obese (BMI, 23.2?±?2.9 kg/m²) men participated in this experiment at latitude 35°10′ N and longitude 136°57.9′E. The average atmospheric temperature was 29.1?±?1.0 °C in summer and 3.3?±?1.4 °C in winter. Tympanic temperature and sweat rate were measured during leg water immersion at 42 °C for 30 min. Blood samples were analyzed for plasma osmolality. The relationship between tympanic temperature and sweat rate decreased significantly in obese compared to in non-obese subjects in both seasons, there being a lowered sweat rate for any core temperature in obese subjects. Plasma osmolality was significantly higher in obese than in non-obese subjects in both seasons. Thermal sensation increased significantly in non-obese than in obese in winter but not in summer. Our data show that thermoregulatory responses are attenuated in obese subjects compared with controls, suggesting that obese people are at increased risk of heat-related illnesses.     

Socio-spatial ecology of pine marten (Martes martes) in conifer forests,Ireland

Understanding the social organisation and spacing patterns of wildlife populations is an important aspect of conservation management and applied science. The present study investigated the spatial ecology of pine marten (Martes martes) inhabiting conifer forests in Ireland, the largest habitat resource available for the species. It represented the first study of pine marten spacing patterns in Irish conifer forests. Pine marten (n?=?7; five males and two females) were live-trapped and radio-tracked for between 4 and 10 months from March 2008 to March 2009. Mean annual home-range estimates (95 % fixed kernel) for males (150.7 ha) were generally larger than those of females (90.2 ha). There was considerable inter-seasonal overlap in home ranges (approx 85 %) with less inter-sexual (12.0 %) or intra-sexual (11.8 %) overlap, although the sample size of individuals for comparison was small. Pine marten home ranges were stable from season to season. Core ranges varied in size from 10.6 to 104.1 ha, and as a mean percentage of home-range area were 22.9 and 42.5 % for males and females, respectively. In terms of forest management, potential under occupancy of available space by pine marten and vulnerability of very small core ranges to clear felling practices needs further research to determine any impacts on individuals and populations.