Vital rates and movement patterns of eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) have never been studied at the northern extent of their North American range in Manitoba, Canada. Using radio telemetry during 2011 and 2012, this study collected estimates of female spring/summer survival, reproductive success, dispersal, home range size, and habitat use. Females had a 53% survival probability, 82% nesting frequency, 29% nesting success, 35% hen success, 11.3 eggs/clutch, 89% hatching success, and a natality rate of 2.3. Winter weather and relatively high predator numbers appear to have caused annual variation in survival and hen success. Spring dispersal distances and home ranges averaged 8.2 km and 554.4 ha, respectively. Home ranges were selected in relation to forests, cattle feedlots, and grasslands; while within home ranges, individuals selected areas close to grasslands, forests, and intermittent streams. These results can be used when modeling current populations, managing harvest, and structuring future releases.

No description available.

All kiwi species (Apteryx spp.) have suffered serious decline since human arrival and are nowa-days threatened on the New Zealand mainland. One of the most elusive, and as a result least known among the different kiwi species, is the great spotted kiwi (Apteryx haastii). Hence, little is known about the current status of the remaining great spotted kiwi populations or their popu-lation dynamics. Three main ‘natural’ populations are found in Northwest Nelson, the Paparoa Range and in the Arthur’s Pass Hurunui district. In 2007, the Department of Conservation started a great spotted kiwi population dynamics study in the North Branch of the Hurunui, the area where this research project was conducted. Kiwi workers of the Department of Conserva-tion (Waimakariri area office) captured and VHF radio-tagged 11 kiwi between March and July 2007 in the North Branch and started to collect radio tracking and activity data. To improve this existing data set, 10 of the 11 birds were intensely radio tracked using triangulation and homing techniques during December 2007 to April 2008 for this Master’s research project. Estimated home-range sizes for great spotted kiwi in the North Branch varied between 19.59 ha and 35.41 ha, with a calculated mean of 29.3 ha for adult birds. The kiwi population in a defined research area of 60 km² in the Hurunui North Branch was estimated to be around 290 birds. The density for the whole area monitored by the Department of Conservation in the North Branch was esti-mated to be 2.25 pairs per km² plus subadults or in other terms 4.83 birds per km². These density estimates are much higher than results of earlier studies in the Arthurs Pass/Hurunui district. Movement plots of three bonded pairs showed that partners stayed in territories they shared. Nevertheless pairs shared only in 5% of days (n=38) shelters but regularly met during night and kept in contact via calls especially prior to meetings. Nightly travel distances varied between 488-1657 m. Furthermore, the most frequent travel distances covered per hour ranged between 50-150 m. The results of this study provide information for other kiwi researchers and raise ad-ditional questions for other projects regarding great spotted kiwi biology, behaviour and dynam-ics still need to be answered (e.g. habitat requirements). Finally, the results of this study alone are poor indicators of current population health, but they do provide a scientific baseline for any subsequent population monitoring for the great spotted kiwi population status and health in the North Branch area. If future monitoring shows that the great spotted kiwi population is at risk, suitable management actions can be applied and their success can be correctly evaluated.

Thesis (M.S.)--Miami University, Dept. of Zoology, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references.

Master of Science / Biology / David A. Haukos / The lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) has experienced range-wide population declines and range contraction since European settlement. Due to ongoing declines, lesser prairie-chickens were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2014; however, uncertainty regarding the legal status of the species has developed following a judicial decision to vacate the listing in September 2015. Regardless, new research is required for conservation planning, especially for understudied portions and temporal periods of the occupied range. I evaluated nonbreeding lesser prairie-chicken survival using known-fate models, and tested for the influence of environmental, landscape and predator effects on weekly survival. I estimated nonbreeding home-range size using fixed kernel density estimators and Brownian Bridge movement models for VHF and Satellite tagged lesser prairie-chickens, and measured habitat use during the 6-month nonbreeding period (16 September – 14 March). I also determined the influence of lek location on space use intensity within home ranges using resource utilization functions. Female survival was high (0.75, SE = 0.05) and consistent across nonbreeding seasons, but not explainable by selected variables. Mean home range size for birds with GPS transmitters (955 ha, SE = 128.5) was 215% larger than for individuals with VHF transmitters (303 ha, SE = 24.1) and 136% greater during the 2014-2015 nonbreeding season than the 2013-2014 season. Males and females were tied to leks throughout the nonbreeding season, and this relationship was not variable across the months of the nonbreeding season. Proportions of habitat used differed among study sites, but temporal trends were not evident. Lesser prairie-chickens exhibited consistency among ecoregions for home-range, space use, and survival; however, with differing habitat use among regions, management should be on the regional scale. Agriculture and energy development have caused fragmentation of the landscape where lesser prairie-chickens evolved. I used known fate survival models to test if landscape composition or configuration within sites caused survival to differ by site, as well as within home ranges to determine if functional relationships exist between weekly survival and landscape configuration or composition. I used Andersen-Gill models to test whether distance to anthropogenic features affected hazard rates. Differences in survival rates between sites, with survival rates 50% greater in Clark County, Kansas compared to Northwestern, Kansas, corresponded to differences in the amount of grassland habitat on the landscape, but study-site configuration was not measurably different. Increasing the number of patch types within home ranges increased survival, indicating positive effects of heterogeneity. In addition, as distance to fences decreased, lesser prairie-chickens experienced greater risk. Overall, further breakup of grassland landscapes that lesser prairie-chickens occupy should be avoided, to avoid habitat loss and fragmentation thresholds that could further affect survival rates. Additionally, fences should be removed or avoided around active leks.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:29:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseFMN.pdf: 5707463 bytes, checksum: fe6a0e2bcb65f17c1035187cf92cfa2f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004-04-16 / Among the present mammals in the units of conservation Estação Ecológica de Jataí (EEJ) and Parque Estadual de Vassununga (PEV) and in the unit of production, Estação Experimental de Luiz Antônio (EELA), located in the northeast of the State of São Paulo, are the peccaries, Tayassu tajacu. Between March of 2000 and January of 2004, the home range of them, the use of the space, diet and the impacts on the populations in these areas were studied. For obtaining the data, the radiotelemetry technique was used as tool and methods of terrestrial tracking. Seven peccaries received radio-collars for monitoring. It was established four home ranges being three referring to each one of the peccaries of the Estação Ecológica de Jataí (EEJ) and Estação Experimental de Luiz Antônio with 161, 930 and 1.387 hectares and one regarding of the Parque Estadual de Vassununga (PEV), with 350 hectares. It were identified 22 species of plants used by the peccaries and 16 of wich were of confirmed use in the diet, five were considered as of probable use and one species was used as shelter. The diet also included ingested fruits of two palm trees (Família Arecaceae), other native species and five exotic species cultivated at orchards of EELA. It was identified some in this study factors that can be interfering negatively on the populations of peccaries and of other animals as weed killer application, hunts and activities of collection of exotic wood. Indirect impacts were also identified showing the need to improve the system of administration of units of conservation, including the definition of Management Plans that prioritize the regional biodiversity. / Dentre os mamíferos presentes nas unidades de conservação Estação Ecológica de Jataí (EEJ) e Parque Estadual de Vassununga (PEV) e na unidade de produção, Estação Experimental de Luiz Antônio (EELA), áreas situadas no nordeste do Estado de São Paulo, estão os catetos, Tayassu tajacu. Entre Março de 2000 e Janeiro de 2004 foram estudados as áreas de vida destes animais, o uso do espaço, a dieta e os impactos sobre as populações nas áreas estudadas. Para obtenção dos dados foi utilizada a técnica de radiotelemetria como ferramenta e métodos de rastreamento terrestre. Sete catetos receberam rádio-colares para monitoramento. Foram determinadas quatro áreas de vida sendo três referentes a cada um dos animais da Estação Ecológica de Jataí (EEJ) e Estação Experimental de Luiz Antônio (EELA) com 161, 930 e 1.387 hectares e uma referente ao Parque Estadual de Vassununga (PEV) com 350 hectares. Foram evidenciadas 22 espécies de plantas utilizadas pelos catetos, das quais 16 de uso confirmado na dieta alimentar, cinco consideradas como de uso provável e uma espécie usada como abrigo. Foram também observadas como itens da dieta alimentar frutos de duas palmeiras (Família Arecaceae) e de outras espécies nativas, além de cinco espécies exóticas cultivadas em pomares da EELA. Foram identificados alguns fatores que interferem negativamente sobre as populações de catetos e de outros animais relacionados com a aplicação de agrotóxicos e atividades de caça e de coleta de madeira exótica. Impactos indiretos foram também identificados mostrando a necessidade de implementar um sistema de gestão de unidades de conservação para a região, incluindo a definição de Planos de Manejo que priorizem a biodiversidade regional.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:29:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseFMN.pdf: 5707462 bytes, checksum: cee78715aef6927c505c6277f9751db6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004-04-16 / Among the present mammals in the units of conservation Estação Ecológica de Jataí (EEJ) and Parque Estadual de Vassununga (PEV) and in the unit of production, Estação Experimental de Luiz Antônio (EELA), located in the northeast of the State of São Paulo, are the peccaries, Tayassu tajacu. Between March of 2000 and January of 2004, the home range of them, the use of the space, diet and the impacts on the populations in these areas were studied. For obtaining the data, the radiotelemetry technique was used as tool and methods of terrestrial tracking. Seven peccaries received radio-collars for monitoring. It was established four home ranges being three referring to each one of the peccaries of the Estação Ecológica de Jataí (EEJ) and Estação Experimental de Luiz Antônio with 161, 930 and 1.387 hectares and one regarding of the Parque Estadual de Vassununga (PEV), with 350 hectares. It were identified 22 species of plants used by the peccaries and 16 of wich were of confirmed use in the diet, five were considered as of probable use and one species was used as shelter. The diet also included ingested fruits of two palm trees (Família Arecaceae), other native species and five exotic species cultivated at orchards of EELA. It was identified some in this study factors that can be interfering negatively on the populations of peccaries and of other animals as weed killer application, hunts and activities of collection of exotic wood. Indirect impacts were also identified showing the need to improve the system of administration of units of conservation, including the definition of Management Plans that prioritize the regional biodiversity. / Dentre os mamíferos presentes nas unidades de conservação Estação Ecológica de Jataí (EEJ) e Parque Estadual de Vassununga (PEV) e na unidade de produção, Estação Experimental de Luiz Antônio (EELA), áreas situadas no nordeste do Estado de São Paulo, estão os catetos, Tayassu tajacu. Entre Março de 2000 e Janeiro de 2004 foram estudados as áreas de vida destes animais, o uso do espaço, a dieta e os impactos sobre as populações nas áreas estudadas. Para obtenção dos dados foi utilizada a técnica de radiotelemetria como ferramenta e métodos de rastreamento terrestre. Sete catetos receberam rádio-colares para monitoramento. Foram determinadas quatro áreas de vida sendo três referentes a cada um dos animais da Estação Ecológica de Jataí (EEJ) e Estação Experimental de Luiz Antônio (EELA) com 161, 930 e 1.387 hectares e uma referente ao Parque Estadual de Vassununga (PEV) com 350 hectares. Foram evidenciadas 22 espécies de plantas utilizadas pelos catetos, das quais 16 de uso confirmado na dieta alimentar, cinco consideradas como de uso provável e uma espécie usada como abrigo. Foram também observadas como itens da dieta alimentar frutos de duas palmeiras (Família Arecaceae) e de outras espécies nativas, além de cinco espécies exóticas cultivadas em pomares da EELA. Foram identificados alguns fatores que interferem negativamente sobre as populações de catetos e de outros animais relacionados com a aplicação de agrotóxicos e atividades de caça e de coleta de madeira exótica. Impactos indiretos foram também identificados mostrando a necessidade de implementar um sistema de gestão de unidades de conservação para a região, incluindo a definição de Planos de Manejo que priorizem a biodiversidade regional.

As populações de veado-campeiro vêm sofrendo constantes ameaças, principalmente pela caça excessiva e destruição de seu habitat. A escassez de conhecimento sobre a biologia da espécie dificulta a elaboração de diferentes formas de manejo. Assim, há necessidade de estudos básicos para a instituição de programas para a conservação do veado-campeiro, principalmente no Brasil. O presente estudo teve como objetivos estimar o tamanho da área de vida de fêmeas de veado-campeiro, além de quantificar e comparar o uso de habitat pelas mesmas nos períodos reprodutivos e não-reprodutivos no Pantanal Sul-Matogrossense. Foram utilizadas quatro fêmeas de veado-campeiro em vida livre marcadas com colares de GPS modelo ATS® G2110, as quais tiveram suas localizações registradas a cada 13 horas por um período de aproximadamente 12 meses. Os cálculos para área de vida foram feitos através do programa ArcView® GIS versão 3 Extensão Animal Movement, usando os métodos do Mínimo Polígono Convexo (MPC) com 100% das localizações, e Kernel fixo com 95%, 70% e 50% de probabilidade de uso, sendo os dois últimos para estimativas dos centros de atividade. As fêmeas tiveram uma área de vida anual média de 549,88ha ± 124,76 quando estimado pelo MPC e 258,69ha ± 34,54 quando estimado por Kernel com 95% de probabilidade de uso. Quanto às áreas de uso mensais por status reprodutivo, não houve diferença significativa entre os meses (p > 0,05), evidenciando apenas uma pequena diminuição no tamanho das áreas de vida durante o período de aleitamento e um aumento nas épocas de acasalamento. Os habitats foram estabelecidos pelo tipo de vegetação predominante na área e foram caracterizados por imagem de satélite Landsat-5 e verificação in loco da região de estudo. Para verificar se houve uso desproporcional entre as categorias de habitats em relação à disponibilidade em suas respectivas áreas de vida foi usado o teste qui-quadrado de qualidade de ajustamento (chi-square goodness-of-fit test) e posterior estimativa do intervalo simultâneo de confiança de Bonferroni. Na análise anual, os habitats campo e baía foram selecionados, apesar deste último ser o menos abundante, enquanto floresta e caronal foram evitados pelas fêmeas de veado-campeiro. No entanto, ao analisarmos a seleção de habitat mensalmente para comparar o uso entre os diferentes status reprodutivos, o habitat campo tendeu a ser preferido, mas seu uso foi igual ao disponível em todos os períodos. Sendo assim, este estudo elucidou algumas informações sobre a ecologia do veado-campeiro, a fim de facilitar o desenvolvimento de programas de conservação para a espécie. / The pampas deer populations have been under constant threats, mainly by excessive hunting and habitat destruction. The lack of knowledge about the biology of the species hampers the development of different forms of management. Thus, there is a need for basic studies of establishment of conservation programs, mainly in Brazil. This study aimed to estimate the size of home-range, to quantify and compare the habitat use by females in reproductive and non-reproductive periods rights in Pantanal Sul-Matogrossense. Four females of pampas deer were marked with GPS collars, model ATS® G2110, which had recorded their locations every 13 hours for approximately 12 months. The calculations for home-range were made using the Arcview® GIS version 3 Extension Animal Movement, using the methods of the minimum convex polygon (MPC) with 100% of the locations, and fixed Kernel 95%, 70% and 50% of probability, being the last two for estimating the activity centers. The females had an annual home-range average of 549.88 ± 124.76 ha when estimated by MPC and 258.69 ± 34.54 ha when estimated by Kernel with 95% of probability. For the monthly home-ranges for reproductive status, no significant difference among months (p > 0.05), showing only a slight decrease in the size of home-range during the suckling period, increasing in the mating seasons. The habitats were established by the type of dominant vegetation and characterized by landsat-5 imaging satellite and in loco verification of the study area. To determine if there was disproportionate use of habitats between the categories regarding availability in their respective home-range, was used the chi-square goodness-of-fit test and subsequent estimation of Bonferroni simultaneous confidence intervals. In annual analysis, field and bay habitats were selected, despite the last being the less abundant, while forest and caronal were avoided by females of pampas deer. However, when analyzing the monthly habitat selection to compare the use between the different reproductive status, the habitat field tended to be preferred, but its use was equal to that available in all periods. Thus, this study clarified some informations about the ecology of pampas-deer, facilitating conservation programs development for the species.

O movimento dos animais desempenha papel importante na aptidão dos indivíduos, no fluxo gênico, na dinâmica de metapopulações e na persistência, a longo prazo, de espécies em um ambiente. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste estudo foi compreender aspectos relacionados à ecologia do movimento da rã-manteiga (Leptodactylus latrans) e da rã-touro (Lithobates catesbeianus). Para isso, indivíduos de ambas as espécies foram marcados com radiotransmissores e rastreados com o objetivo de coletar informações sobre seus movimentos. Ressaltamos os seguintes resultados deste trabalho: (1) a área de vida média de L. latrans é de 2034,2 m2; (2) com o aumento do tamanho corpóreo de anuros há o aumento do tamanho da área de vida; (3) indivíduos de L. latrans se locomovem mais em noites escuras, chuvosas e quentes; e (4) o aumento da pressão de propágulos não reflete uma maior probabilidade no aumento da distribuição geográfica de uma dada população de L. catesbeianus. Entender os padrões de locomoção dos anfíbios e como utilizam o espaço na natureza é fundamental para o entendimento de processos ecológicos e evolutivos relacionados às histórias de vida das espécies desse grupo. Além disso, esse conhecimento serve como uma ferramenta importante no estabelecimento de limites de áreas de conservação com significado biológico para espécies ameaçadas. Ainda, saber como espécies invasoras se locomovem é um dos primeiros passos para que se tomem medidas de controle populacional e para o bloqueio do avanço da distribuição de espécies exóticas / The ability of animals to move plays an important role in individual fitness, gene flow, population regulation, metapopulation dynamics and long-term persistence of species. The aim of this study was to understand aspects related to the movement ecology of the Butter Frog (Leptadactylus latrans) and the Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus). We collected movement data by radio tracking individuals of both species. Some of the most important results obtained were: (1) the mean home range of L. latrans is 2034.2 m2; (2) increasing body size increases home range size in anurans; (3) individuals of L. latrans are more likely to move larger distances in dark, rainy and warm nights; (4) the increase in propagule pressure does not reflect an increase in the probability of geographical spread of a given population of L. catesbeianus. Understanding how amphibians move and use the space in nature is fundamental for the understanding of basic ecological and evolutionary processes related to life history of the species. Moreover, this knowledge is a useful tool to establish biologically meaningful conservation boundary areas to threatened species. Yet, understanding how invasive species move in nature is one of the first steps to population control and to block the spread of geographical distribution of exotic species

O crescimento exponencial das populações de gatos (Felis silvestris catus) é favorecido pela plasticidade comportamental da espécie e pela sua capacidade de organização social em colônias. Animais pertencentes a colônias não geridas têm a saúde e o bem-estar comprometidos, são possíveis veiculadores de patógenos e parasitas (incluindo as zoonoses), e representam uma potencial ameaça para a fauna silvestre da região em que se encontram. Embora essas questões sejam de conhecimento público e científico, grande parte dos estudos a respeito do controle populacional das colônias de gatos estão preocupados, sobretudo, em reduzir o número de indivíduos das colônias. Visando proporcionar melhores condições de saúde aos felinos, assegurar o bem-estar dos mesmos, e contribuir para a saúde pública da população humana do entorno, são necessários novos estudos capazes de investigar o impacto da castração sobre a dinâmica populacional, sobre a distribuição geoespacial e sobre o uso do espaço por esses animais. Diante disso, o presente estudo visou: 1. estimar a área de uso de uma população de gatos submetida a metodologia TNVRM; 2. verificar se há diferença de tamanho das áreas de uso para os grupos estudados; e 3. verificar a percepção da população humana do entorno da área de estudo sobre temas relacionados aos animais. Os nossos resultados sugerem que a disposição espacial dos indivíduos variou principalmente em decorrência dos pontos onde a alimentação foi oferecida. Foram encontradas altas incidências de gatos descansando, defecando e se alimentando em áreas próximas às de intensa movimentação de seres humanos, o que representa um fato preocupante se forem consideradas as taxas de propagação de zoonoses relacionadas a esses animais. Além disso, notamos que embora os animais do presente estudo sejam gatos errantes em um câmpus universitário, o conhecimento dos humanos que frequentam essa área foi considerado escasso no que diz respeito às questões investigadas nesse estudo. Assim, visando aumentar a eficácia dos programas de controle populacional, concluímos que seria importante um maior planejamento em relação à forma e aos locais onde o alimento é oferecido, bem como à necessidade concomitante de campanhas educativas sobre abandono, castração, zoonoses, bem-estar e direitos animais para a população humana do entorno das áreas estudadas. / The exponential growth of cats population (Felis silvestris catus) is favored by behavioral plasticity of the species and its capacity for social organization in colonies. Animals belonging to unmanaged colonies have the health and welfare committed, are possible backers of pathogens and parasites (including zoonoses), and represent a potential threat to wildlife in the area where they are located. Although these issues are of public and scientific knowledge, most studied cases regarding the control of the population of cat colonies are concerned, above all, to reduce the number of individuals of the colonies. In order to provide better health conditions to cats, ensure their welfare, and contribute to public health of the surrounding human population, further studies are needed to investigate the impact of castration on the population dynamics on the geospatial distribution and on the use of space for the animals. Therefore, this study aimed to: 1. estimate the area of use of a population of cats submitted to TNVRM methodology; 2. check for size difference of the use of areas for groups; and 3. verify the perception of the surrounding human population of the study area on topics related to animals. Our results suggest that the spatial arrangement of subjects varied primarily as a result of the points where the feed area was offered. Found high incidences of cats resting, defecating and feeding up in areas close to the intense movement of people, which is a worrying fact considering the spread of zoonoses fees related to these animals. In addition, we notice that although the animals of this study are stray cats in an University campus, the knowledge of humans who attend this area was considered scarce regarding the issues investigated in this study. Thus, to increase the effectiveness of population control programs, we concluded that more planning on the form and the places where the food is offered would be important, and the concomitant need for educational campaigns about abandonment, castration, zoonoses, wellness and animal rights into the human population surrounding areas studied.