Spatial Organization of Molina’s Hog-Nosed Skunk (Conepatus chinga) in Two Landscapes of Pampas Grassland of Argentina

CASTILLO,DIEGO F; LUCHERINI, MAURO; LUENGOS VIDAL, ESTELA M.; MANFREDI, CLAUDIA; CASANAVE, EMMA BEATRIZ

CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

NATL RESEARCH COUNCIL CANADA-N R C RESEARCH PRESS

Año: 2011 vol. 89 p. 229 - 234

0008-4301

We radiotracked 16 individuals (6 males, 10 females) of the little known Conepatus chinga (Molina, 1782) and compared home range dynamics, movement rates and densities between a protected area and a landscape fragmented by agriculture. The mean home range size (95% fixed kernel) was 166.7 ± 107.5 ha without significant differences between areas. Home range size varied significantly between males (243.7 ± 76.5 ha) and females (120.4 ± 77.6 ha). Home range and core area overlap was extensive between and within sexes in the protected area and more limited in the cropland area. Mean distance traveled between two consecutive resting sites was 269.5 ± 365 m and did not differ between areas although movements were greater for males than females. Distance moved was influenced by seasons, being greater during the cold period. Finally, density estimates were consistently greater at the protected area. We argue that home range size in C. chinga is an inherent species property, whereas population density and territoriality are more flexible parameters that could reflect how the ecosystem state was affected. In our study, the greater dispersion of food patches in the cropland area than the protected area may be the mayor factor influencing these parameters.