Multidimensional Cover Characteristics: Is Variation in Habitat Selection Related to White-Tailed Deer Sexual Segregation?

摘要: We documented cover characteristics at white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus dakotensis) bedding and feeding sites on winter summer ranges in the central Black Hills, South Dakota Wyoming. Radiolocations of female (2,592; n = 73) male (573; 12) were compared with 1,087 random locations. Characteristics recorded locations included basal area, point-centered quarter distance, density tall shrubs saplings, available hiding (horizontal) cover. On range, females selected areas lower levels than males, whereas habitats range similar. ranges, bedded greater or sites. Three principal components (interpreted as cover, thermal radiation cover) differed respect to season explained 78.5% variation characteristics. In winter, males had higher scores for while Conversely, during summer, Results reproductive-strategy (RSH) predator-avoidance (PAH) hypotheses, which attempt explain sexual segregation ungulates. Univariate results indicated sexes occupied similar but not range. Therefore, we rejected RSH unable reject Also, was importance Based these results, PAH