Evaluating wild Turkey movement ecology: An example using first‐passage time analysis

ABSTRACT Recent advances in animal tracking technology have increased interest in the field of animal movement ecology. Numerous methods have been developed to extract information from animal movement paths that can be used to link movement behavior to external stimuli such as habitat and climatic c...

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Main Authors: Michael E. Byrne, Joshua D. Guthrie, Jason Hardin, Bret A. Collier, Michael J. Chamberlain
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2014-06-01
Series:Wildlife Society Bulletin
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.404
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author Michael E. Byrne
Joshua D. Guthrie
Jason Hardin
Bret A. Collier
Michael J. Chamberlain
author_facet Michael E. Byrne
Joshua D. Guthrie
Jason Hardin
Bret A. Collier
Michael J. Chamberlain
author_sort Michael E. Byrne
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Recent advances in animal tracking technology have increased interest in the field of animal movement ecology. Numerous methods have been developed to extract information from animal movement paths that can be used to link movement behavior to external stimuli such as habitat and climatic conditions. Given the recent development of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology suitable for use on wild turkeys (Meleagris gallapavo), we advocate the adoption of new methodologies to design novel research on wild turkey ecology. Here we provide a worked example using first‐passage time on male Rio Grande wild turkeys (M. g. intermedia) tracked via GPS in South Texas, USA, during April 2009 to illustrate one methodological option on which research can be based. From our example, we infer behavioral decisions in response to habitat variables that varied during the diurnal cycle; turkeys were more likely to exhibit localized movements during midday in open areas near food and water resources. We contend that by taking advantage of GPS technology and focusing research questions on movement behavior, wild turkey research can progress toward answering mechanistic questions regarding turkey habitat use. This shift in research focus will provide much‐needed information to managers that is currently lacking at both local and regional scales. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
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spelling doaj-art-d8bf67ae3ab54c238e19d5108e88d0342025-08-20T02:49:19ZengWileyWildlife Society Bulletin2328-55402014-06-0138240741310.1002/wsb.404Evaluating wild Turkey movement ecology: An example using first‐passage time analysisMichael E. Byrne0Joshua D. Guthrie1Jason Hardin2Bret A. Collier3Michael J. Chamberlain4Warnell School of Forestry and Natural ResourcesUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGA30602USADepartment of Wildlife and Fisheries SciencesTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTX77843USATexas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentP.O. Box 279BuffaloTX75831USAInstitute of Renewable Natural ResourcesTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTX77843USAWarnell School of Forestry and Natural ResourcesUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGA30602USAABSTRACT Recent advances in animal tracking technology have increased interest in the field of animal movement ecology. Numerous methods have been developed to extract information from animal movement paths that can be used to link movement behavior to external stimuli such as habitat and climatic conditions. Given the recent development of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology suitable for use on wild turkeys (Meleagris gallapavo), we advocate the adoption of new methodologies to design novel research on wild turkey ecology. Here we provide a worked example using first‐passage time on male Rio Grande wild turkeys (M. g. intermedia) tracked via GPS in South Texas, USA, during April 2009 to illustrate one methodological option on which research can be based. From our example, we infer behavioral decisions in response to habitat variables that varied during the diurnal cycle; turkeys were more likely to exhibit localized movements during midday in open areas near food and water resources. We contend that by taking advantage of GPS technology and focusing research questions on movement behavior, wild turkey research can progress toward answering mechanistic questions regarding turkey habitat use. This shift in research focus will provide much‐needed information to managers that is currently lacking at both local and regional scales. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.404animal movementfirst‐passage timeGPShabitat useMeleagris gallapavoRio Grande wild turkey
spellingShingle Michael E. Byrne
Joshua D. Guthrie
Jason Hardin
Bret A. Collier
Michael J. Chamberlain
Evaluating wild Turkey movement ecology: An example using first‐passage time analysis
Wildlife Society Bulletin
animal movement
first‐passage time
GPS
habitat use
Meleagris gallapavo
Rio Grande wild turkey
title Evaluating wild Turkey movement ecology: An example using first‐passage time analysis
title_full Evaluating wild Turkey movement ecology: An example using first‐passage time analysis
title_fullStr Evaluating wild Turkey movement ecology: An example using first‐passage time analysis
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating wild Turkey movement ecology: An example using first‐passage time analysis
title_short Evaluating wild Turkey movement ecology: An example using first‐passage time analysis
title_sort evaluating wild turkey movement ecology an example using first passage time analysis
topic animal movement
first‐passage time
GPS
habitat use
Meleagris gallapavo
Rio Grande wild turkey
url https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.404
work_keys_str_mv AT michaelebyrne evaluatingwildturkeymovementecologyanexampleusingfirstpassagetimeanalysis
AT joshuadguthrie evaluatingwildturkeymovementecologyanexampleusingfirstpassagetimeanalysis
AT jasonhardin evaluatingwildturkeymovementecologyanexampleusingfirstpassagetimeanalysis
AT bretacollier evaluatingwildturkeymovementecologyanexampleusingfirstpassagetimeanalysis
AT michaeljchamberlain evaluatingwildturkeymovementecologyanexampleusingfirstpassagetimeanalysis