Habitat use and selection of Geoffroy`s cats (Oncifelis geoffroyi) in 3 areas of central Argentina

MANFREDI CLAUDIA; LUCHERINI M.; CASANAVE EMMA

Oxford, Reino Unido

Conferencia; Biology and Conservation of Wild Felids: an international conference; 2007

WildCRU, University of Oxford

To understand habitat use and selection by wildcats is important for conservation strategies, especially where human impact is high as in most central Argentina. We aimed to study the use and selection of the habitat by radiotagged Geoffroy’s cats in 3 areas with a variable degree of human alteration in Pampas grassland/scrubland: Campos del Tuyú Wildlife Reserve (CdT), Tornquist Provincial Park (TPP) and Los Álamos farm (LA). The average home range sizes were 3.43±1.83 km2 at CdT (N=303 locations, 4 individuals), 7.67±2.27 km2 at TPP (N=254, 3 individuals) and 2.08±2.21 km2 at LA (N=371, 4 individuals). Habitats with the most dense vegetation coverage were the most frequently used: dense grassland at CdT (78,2% of locations, no selection), dense wood patches of exotic trees at TPP (47,4%, positive selection) and dense natural scrubland at LA (25,3%, positive selection), where also natural grassland and open scrubland were often used (21.6% and 21.3%). On average, habitat selection tended to increase with the level of human alteration of the area. Although O. geoffroyi shows a certain degree of flexibility in its use of habitat, patches with dense vegetation coverage, which could offer both shelter and availability of prey, appear to be important.2 at CdT (N=303 locations, 4 individuals), 7.67±2.27 km2 at TPP (N=254, 3 individuals) and 2.08±2.21 km2 at LA (N=371, 4 individuals). Habitats with the most dense vegetation coverage were the most frequently used: dense grassland at CdT (78,2% of locations, no selection), dense wood patches of exotic trees at TPP (47,4%, positive selection) and dense natural scrubland at LA (25,3%, positive selection), where also natural grassland and open scrubland were often used (21.6% and 21.3%). On average, habitat selection tended to increase with the level of human alteration of the area. Although O. geoffroyi shows a certain degree of flexibility in its use of habitat, patches with dense vegetation coverage, which could offer both shelter and availability of prey, appear to be important.