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Home range sizes in the Wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus : habitat, sex and seasonal differences
Author(s) -
Attuquayefio D. K.,
Gorman M. L.,
Wolton R. J.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1986.tb03619.x
Subject(s) - apodemus , woodland , wood mouse , biology , seasonal breeder , habitat , home range , range (aeronautics) , deciduous , ecology , materials science , composite material
This paper investigates home range sizes in the Wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus in two habitats of differing productivity; deciduous woodland and sand‐dunes. The ranges were measured by radio‐telemetry. The home ranges in the sand‐dunes were approximately circular whilst those in the woodland were much more complex in shape. At all seasons, the ranges in the sand‐dunes were much larger than those in the woodland. Male ranges were larger than female ranges, especially so in the breeding season. In the non‐breeding season, sexual differences in range sizes could be accounted for by the greater energy requirements of the larger males. During the breeding season, males expanded their ranges, probably in an attempt to find receptive females.