Estimating porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum Linnaeus, 1758) density using radiotelemetry and replicated mark-resight techniques
Publication Date
1999
Journal or Book Title
Zeitschrift Fur Saugetierkunde-international Journal Of Mammalian Biology
Abstract
Quantitative estimates of the density of North American porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum Linnaeus, 1758) were obtained in two adjacent study areas in central Massachusetts (northeastern U.S.). Using mark-resight (with radio-marked porcupines) estimators with data collected on one single and four replicated surveys, none of the estimates (range = 10-42 porcupines/km 2) provided the relative precision needed to detect area-specific differences in density. This was because of the small samples of marked individuals (range= 5-12/survey; 4-6/km 2), low observability of porcupines during surveys (x̄ = 15% of marked animals seen; range = 0-40%), and low numbers of surveys. Porcupines are more reclusive than we previously thought, and intensive survey efforts are needed to obtain reasonably precise density estimates in forested habitats.
Volume
64
Issue
2
Pages
85-90
Recommended Citation
Hale, MO and Fuller, TK, "Estimating porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum Linnaeus, 1758) density using radiotelemetry and replicated mark-resight techniques" (1999). Zeitschrift Fur Saugetierkunde-international Journal Of Mammalian Biology. 116.
Retrieved from https://scholarworks.umass.edu/nrc_faculty_pubs/116