Influence of field technique, density, and sex on home range and overlap of the southern red-backed vole (Myodes gapperi)

We examined the effect of density, sex, and field method on home range of southern re d-backed voles (Myodes gapperi (Vigors, 1830)) inhabiting eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière) forests. Twelve mark–recapture grids were used to census M. gapperi from 2014 to 2017. In 2017, individuals were radio-collared. Home-range size, core-area size, and shared space were calcul ated using kernel density estimators from both mark–recapture and radiotelemetry data. Density effects on home range and core area were analyzed and differences between sex and field method were compared. We found (i) density did not affect home-range size, (ii) male home range was larger than fem ale home range, (iii) females shared space more frequently and to a greater extent with males than other females, and (iv) home-range estimates were not significantly different between mark–recapture and radiotelemetry. Male home range, however, was larger under radiotelemetry and may reflect a tr uncation effect when mark–recapture grid size is smaller than male home range.
Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology - Category: Zoology Authors: Source Type: research