Home Range Size in Eastern Chipmunks, Tamias striatus, as a Function of Number of Captures: Statistical Biases of Inadequate Sampling

Abstract

Four summers of trapping data for the eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) were examined quantitatively in order to identify factors accounting for variation in home range size. Home range is linearly dependent upon the number of captures utilized to calculate a home range, whereas the mean percent change in home range is an asymptotic function of capture interval. In order to measure home range accurately, a minimum of twenty capture points is suggested. In analyses where home range size was based upon a minimum of four captures, significant differences were found in home range sizes between sexes, age groups and years. When strong statistical data were used in home range analysis (i.e., a minimum of 20 captures determining home range), there were no statistical differences among any categories. These results demonstrate the importance of minimum capture number in home range studies.