Sexual differences in spatio-temporal interaction among badgers

摘要: I tested the following hypotheses of territorial polygyny on badgers (Taxidea taxus: Carnivora; Mustelidae): Competition among adult females for food should result in intrasexual territoriality, while male competition larger territories that encompass multiple female territories. The sagebrush-grassland study area (Wyoming, USA) contained a depauperate terrestrial fauna with dense badger population preying high densities ground squirrels (Spermophilus armatus). Implant telemetry generated locations analysis home range and spatio-temporal interaction. During summer breeding season males doubled movement rates nearly tripled areas to overlap those females. Before after season, reduced their ranges sizes nearer stable ([Formula: see text]=2.82 km2). Unexpectedly, between was no different than overlap. However, interaction revealed spatially avoided one another, were temporally attacted similar male-female interactions. Presumably, olfactory mechanisms allow resource tracking lagged communication. Male-male territoriality not viable, most likely because density badgers, combined severely male-biased sex ratio (1.75:1), effectively increased intruder pressure - as resource, receptive too mobile unpredictable within ranges. Consequently, monitored searched widely relatively scarce during effect attracting each other. Male mobility, size, possibly aggression age, suggesting age-related tactics, although dominance could only be surmised. This other studies suggest how spatial, temporal, components carnivore partitioning sociality will understood better by unraveling interplay processes, attributes disparate resources (e.g., vs. females), seasonality, age-sex structure.