Territorial significance of home range estimators for coyotes
Shivik JA and Gese EM. 2000. Territorial significance of home range estimators for coyotes. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 28(4):940-946
'Many home range estimators are available, but few studies have examined the biological significance of mathematically described land-use patterns. We directly observed coyotes (Canis latrans) in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming to produce home range estimates using the harmonic mean, adaptive kernel, and minimum convex polygon methods. We compared estimated home ranges of 8 coyotes to their observed territories for 2 packs during 3 years of observation. Based on analysis of individual coyotes, the 94%, 93%, and 96% contours best fit territorial delineation for the adaptive kernel, harmonic mean, and minimum convex polygon estimators, respectively. All estimators were able to fit home range contours to an actual territory, but differences in home range fit were apparent. Using analyses based on packs, the 94%, 94%, and 96% contours best fit the territorial boundaries for the adaptive kernel, harmonic mean, and minimum convex polygon estimators, respectively. Our inferences to other species and radiotelemetry data are limited, and we encourage further biological testing of mathematically devised behavioral measures. Because the minimum convex polygon best fit territorial boundaries in 4 out of 5 territorial observations, and because of its intuitive simplicity, we suggest that the 96% minimum convex polygon may be most appropriate to describe coyote home ranges relative to territory in similar studies.'
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Shivik, John; Gese, Eric
- Units
- YELL
- Keywords
- Coyote (Canis latrans), Range, Territory