Home Range as a Measure of Probable Interactions Among Populations of Small Mammals

Abstract

A technique for estimating the probability of interaction in space using the home range as a basis of measurement is presented. The overlap area between adjacent home ranges and the relative use of home range area are used to obtain the estimate. The methods were demonstrated with data for Perognathus longimembris (Coues) for the USAEC Nevada Test Site. Probable interaction between females ranged from .6301 for individuals with recapture centers only 11.43 m apart to .0000 for animals 88.53 m apart. In this case the recapture radius was 44.45 m. Probable interaction between males and females ranged from .6289 to .0000 with distances from recapture centers of 11.43 m to 85.53 m, respectively. Assumptions required by this technique and limitations of interpretation are discussed.