Ranging behaviour of huemul in relation to habitat and landscape

Abstract

The huemul Hippocamelus bisulcus is an endangered species of deer occupying temperate woodland habitats in the Andes of southern Chile and Argentina. Continuing declines due to a combination of hunting and habitat loss have created a need for more conservation measures. However, current information on ranging behaviour, dispersal and seasonal movements is very limited. Three sites were therefore selected in Ayse´n, Chilean Patagonia, to study the movements and habitat associations of huemul. Although seasonal migrations in elevation had been reported previously for the species, we found the extent of seasonal movement limited, much less than that reported for other deer species in mountainous environments. Huemul selected mid-slope elevations, and the winter ranges of most animals overlapped summer ranges. The extent of the seasonal movements that were undertaken were, however, the greatest at the highest site and insignificant at the lowest site. Previously published information shows that habitats used by huemul follow a latitudinal gradient in elevation (reducing c. 100 m 1S À1 in latitude), and our results suggest that seasonal movements are likely to be greater in sites above this line. The mean range size differed between sites, ranging from 357 to 656 ha (mean 444 ha; median 506 ha). These estimates excluded longdistance (45 km) movements, which were infrequent.

Past bottlenecks and current population fragmentation of endangered huemul deer (Hippocamelus bisulcus): implications for preservation of genetic diversity

“…This estimate combines the 43 individuals identified in the LCNR with 75 deer estimated outside the LCNR from field observations and non-systematic surveys (Corti 2008). The nearest population is approximately 10 km to the north, separated by a 5 km wide valley of steppe habitat, running eastwest that is avoided by huemul (Gill et al 2008) (Fig. 1).…”

“…The LCNR was created in 1967 to protect lenga tree (Nothofagus pumilio) forest and the remaining huemul population. A large proportion of the area used by deer is dominated by steep terrain (23% with slopes [ 45°) and flat rocky outcrops (Gill et al 2008). The canopy of the deciduous forest is dominated by lenga at high altitude and coihue (N. dombeyi) at lower elevations; the shrub layer is dominated by ñirre (N. antarctica) and notro (Embothrium coccineum) trees, and the shrubs of chaura (Pernettya mucronata), calafate (Berberis microphylla), and zarzaparrilla (Ribes spp.…”

“…Many of these causes of decline have been proposed for huemul (Flueck and Smith-Flueck 2006;Frid 1994;Povilitis 1998), but thus far none have been investigated. Recent research on the huemul social organization (Corti 2008), population dynamics (Corti et al in press), and ranging behaviour (Gill et al 2008), allow stronger inferences about the possible genetic consequences of habitat fragmentation for this deer. Territorial males defend females in a specific area and sire most offspring, while non-territorial males rarely sire offspring (Corti 2008).…”

Impact of livestock on giant pandas and their habitat

“…1). While these pandas constitute a small sample, like many other endangered species (Gill et al 2008;Miller et al 2010), it is not feasible for the government to give permits to study many individuals using GPS collars. Nevertheless, this is the first spatially explicit account of sympatric panda and horse behavior using high accuracy GPS collar telemetry.…”

Social Ecology of the huemul at Torres Del Paine National Park, Chile

“…This could be related to the low population and potential for animal dispersion to other areas within or outside the park, thus eliminating the need for intruders to try to take over home range already established. The home ranges we have observed averaged 310 ha, and are unaffected by disturbance, unlike other sites (444 to 1954 ha, Gill et al 2008, or 700 ha, Povilitis, 1985Díaz & Smith-Flueck, 2000). Seasonally the individual home range is smaller for example during the fawning period for the females, just as found on a seasonal home range by Gill et all.…”