Effects of livestock management on the spatial ecology of Geoffroy´s cat in the argentinean Monte

JAVIER PEREIRA

Ciudad de Mendoza, Mendoza

Congreso; Xth. International Mammalogical Congress; 2009

Despite the importance of carnivores for ecosystem dynamics, few studies have quantified the response of felids to environmental changes due to livestock management. I analyzed the effects of livestock management on the spatial dynamics, home range size, movements, emigration patterns, and abundance of Geoffroy´s cat (Leopardus geoffroyi) in a scrubland area of the Monte desert, Argentina. Between 2002 and 2008, 23 (13 M – 10 F) and 12 (5 M – 7 F) Geoffroy´s cats were radiocollared and monitored by radiotelemetry in a protected area (Lihué Calel National Park, LCNP) and adjacent cattle ranches (CR), respectively. Mean home range size (100% Kernel) and daily distance traveled were consistently greater for males (822 ± 96 ha and 3445 ± 801 m) and females (593 ± 387 ha and 1339 ± 417 m) in CR than in LCNP (P ≤ 0.032). The average core area (50% AK) of males (94 ± 66 ha) and females (117 ± 120 ha) in CR were no different (P = 0.838) of those of males and females in LCNP. Density of Geoffroy´s cats (estimated by camera trapping) in LCNP (164 ± SE 41 individuals/100 km2) was 1.8 times greater than in CR, and M:F sex ratio was no different between areas (χ2 = 0.51; P = 0.476). Proportion of transient cats did not differ between areas (χ2 = 0.07; P = 1.000). During the study period 21 cats emigrated from the study area, and all events occurred within the fall-winter period. Proportion of emigrants from both sites was the same (83%) and distance of emigration (range 9 – 128 km) did not depend on the source site. Livestock management is likely to cause spatial responses of Geoffroy´s cats in the Monte desert, but no response have been detected in some demographic parameters at the current livestock density (<0.2 cows/ha).