文章基本信息

标题：Intraspecific interactions, resource selection, and movements of eastern cottontail rabbits.
作者：Reichard, Larry
期刊名称：Transactions of the Missouri Academy of Science
印刷版ISSN：0544-540X
出版年度：2005
期号：January
语种：English
出版社：Missouri Academy of Science
摘要：Eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) have severely hampered forest regeneration in the Lower Missouri River floodplains due to intense herbivory. Our objectives were to determine intraspecific interactions, resource selection, and movements of rabbits to aid reforestation efforts at Plowboy Conservation Area. We collected radiotelemetry locations on 41 rabbits (21 adult males, 10 adult females, 5 juvenile males, 5 juvenile females) during winter 2004-2005. We analyzed 50% and 95% adaptive kernel home ranges and assessed resource selection using a chi-square analysis. We found that juvenile males and females and adult females were never located within 40 m of another individual of the same age and gender. However, adult males were frequently together. Adult male core area (50%) averaged 0.73 ha (Range = 0.11 to 1.32 ha, SD = 0.48) and home range (95%) averaged 7.96 ha (Range = 3.90 to 15.03 ha, SD = 4.66). Adult female core area (50%) averaged 0.38 ha (Range = 0.16 to 0.6 ha, SD = .21) and home range (95%) averaged 4.47 ha (Range = 1.55 to 6.16, SD = 2.55). Average juvenile male home range was 14% smaller than adults. Three large and fine scale combinations (control-Johnson grass, no red top-coarse weeds, and no redtop-Johnson grass) encompass 57% of the total observations, which are used day and night. Based on the males' larger home range sizes, managers should remove habitat that provides cover and food for rabbits within 800 m of forest regeneration sites to alleviate herbivory damage by rabbits.
关键词：Cottontails;Human mechanics;Movement (Physiology)

Intraspecific interactions, resource selection, and movements of eastern cottontail rabbits.

Reichard, Larry

Eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) have severely hampered forest regeneration in the Lower Missouri River floodplains due to intense herbivory. Our objectives were to determine intraspecific interactions, resource selection, and movements of rabbits to aid reforestation efforts at Plowboy Conservation Area. We collected radiotelemetry locations on 41 rabbits (21 adult males, 10 adult females, 5 juvenile males, 5 juvenile females) during winter 2004-2005. We analyzed 50% and 95% adaptive kernel home ranges and assessed resource selection using a chi-square analysis. We found that juvenile males and females and adult females were never located within 40 m of another individual of the same age and gender. However, adult males were frequently together. Adult male core area (50%) averaged 0.73 ha (Range = 0.11 to 1.32 ha, SD = 0.48) and home range (95%) averaged 7.96 ha (Range = 3.90 to 15.03 ha, SD = 4.66). Adult female core area (50%) averaged 0.38 ha (Range = 0.16 to 0.6 ha, SD = .21) and home range (95%) averaged 4.47 ha (Range = 1.55 to 6.16, SD = 2.55). Average juvenile male home range was 14% smaller than adults. Three large and fine scale combinations (control-Johnson grass, no red top-coarse weeds, and no redtop-Johnson grass) encompass 57% of the total observations, which are used day and night. Based on the males' larger home range sizes, managers should remove habitat that provides cover and food for rabbits within 800 m of forest regeneration sites to alleviate herbivory damage by rabbits.

* Wisdom, J.D., J.J. Millspaugh, and D.C. Dey. Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, University of Missouri (JDW, JJM). US Forest Service (DCD).