Determinants of variation in home range of wild pigs

ABSTRACT Home range is expected to vary with ecological conditions to minimize size while still meeting the biological needs of the individual animal. Understanding the determinants of variation in home range size can be important when trying to manage or control an invasive species. Wild pigs (Sus...

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Main Authors: Peter E. Schlichting, Sarah R. Fritts, John J. Mayer, Philip S. Gipson, C. Brad Dabbert
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2016-09-01
Series:Wildlife Society Bulletin
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.662
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author Peter E. Schlichting
Sarah R. Fritts
John J. Mayer
Philip S. Gipson
C. Brad Dabbert
author_facet Peter E. Schlichting
Sarah R. Fritts
John J. Mayer
Philip S. Gipson
C. Brad Dabbert
author_sort Peter E. Schlichting
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Home range is expected to vary with ecological conditions to minimize size while still meeting the biological needs of the individual animal. Understanding the determinants of variation in home range size can be important when trying to manage or control an invasive species. Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) have been introduced throughout the globe and cause notable damage to native ecosystems. We quantified relationships of wild pig home range with environmental conditions across varying spatial and temporal scales to better understand population space use in areas invaded by wild pigs during March 2011 to August 2012 in Kent County, Texas, USA. We used mixed‐effects linear‐regression models to assess how allometric effects of body size and environmental variables (temp, elevation, latitude, and rainfall) could be used to predict home range size at a local scale. We then used general linear models with published data from 31 studies from the species’ global distribution to investigate the efficacy of environmental parameters as home range predictors. On account of either temporal or incomplete variables, home range was not well‐predicted at a local scale. Across their global distribution, the top ranked model included all 4 variables with home range positively associated with temperature, elevation, and latitude, but negatively associated with rainfall. Use of the global model represents a cost‐efficient way to estimate home ranges to control or eradicate wild pig populations. This information can be valuable for management of both established and newly introduced populations for population estimation and trapping density. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
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spelling doaj-art-9ea89c6bfde141e287229fc25171ed432025-08-20T02:49:15ZengWileyWildlife Society Bulletin2328-55402016-09-0140348749310.1002/wsb.662Determinants of variation in home range of wild pigsPeter E. Schlichting0Sarah R. Fritts1John J. Mayer2Philip S. Gipson3C. Brad Dabbert4Department of Natural Resources ManagementTexas Tech UniversityLubbockTX79409USADepartment of Natural Resources ManagementTexas Tech UniversityLubbockTX79409USASavannah River National LaboratorySavannah River SiteAikenSC29808USADepartment of Natural Resources ManagementTexas Tech UniversityLubbockTX79409USADepartment of Natural Resources ManagementTexas Tech UniversityLubbockTX79409USAABSTRACT Home range is expected to vary with ecological conditions to minimize size while still meeting the biological needs of the individual animal. Understanding the determinants of variation in home range size can be important when trying to manage or control an invasive species. Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) have been introduced throughout the globe and cause notable damage to native ecosystems. We quantified relationships of wild pig home range with environmental conditions across varying spatial and temporal scales to better understand population space use in areas invaded by wild pigs during March 2011 to August 2012 in Kent County, Texas, USA. We used mixed‐effects linear‐regression models to assess how allometric effects of body size and environmental variables (temp, elevation, latitude, and rainfall) could be used to predict home range size at a local scale. We then used general linear models with published data from 31 studies from the species’ global distribution to investigate the efficacy of environmental parameters as home range predictors. On account of either temporal or incomplete variables, home range was not well‐predicted at a local scale. Across their global distribution, the top ranked model included all 4 variables with home range positively associated with temperature, elevation, and latitude, but negatively associated with rainfall. Use of the global model represents a cost‐efficient way to estimate home ranges to control or eradicate wild pig populations. This information can be valuable for management of both established and newly introduced populations for population estimation and trapping density. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.662home rangeinvasive speciesSus scrofawild pigs
spellingShingle Peter E. Schlichting
Sarah R. Fritts
John J. Mayer
Philip S. Gipson
C. Brad Dabbert
Determinants of variation in home range of wild pigs
Wildlife Society Bulletin
home range
invasive species
Sus scrofa
wild pigs
title Determinants of variation in home range of wild pigs
title_full Determinants of variation in home range of wild pigs
title_fullStr Determinants of variation in home range of wild pigs
title_full_unstemmed Determinants of variation in home range of wild pigs
title_short Determinants of variation in home range of wild pigs
title_sort determinants of variation in home range of wild pigs
topic home range
invasive species
Sus scrofa
wild pigs
url https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.662
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AT philipsgipson determinantsofvariationinhomerangeofwildpigs
AT cbraddabbert determinantsofvariationinhomerangeofwildpigs