Two distinct patterns of spatial behaviour of female roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in a mountainous habitat

Use of space and habitat selection by roe deer Capreolus capreolus in a Mediterranean coastal area: how does woods landscape affect home range?

“…No behaviour during the rut that could clearly be identified as an alternative mating tactic to territoriality was observed in prime-age roe deer males in early studies (Liberg et al 1998), but the observations of roaming males mating with females in our area could suggest that this could be the case in open areas. Our female range size and structure data were fairly close to those of wooded habitat studies (Bideau et al 1983;Vincent et al 1983;Chapman et al 1993;Lamberti et al 2001Lamberti et al , 2004 rather than to those of open habitats (Zejda and Bauerova 1985;Maublanc 1986;San Josè and Lovari 1998) and were larger than those for our stationary males. Usually, summer home ranges of adult females are thought to be of the same size as male territories (Liberg et al 1998), but their being larger in our study area might mean they overlap with the territory of other males.…”

“…These two different male spatial-use patterns were also evident when looking at the overlap percentages: high for stationary males and lower for roaming ones (Table 1). In view of the low consecutive bi-monthly overlap values, these males could not be considered "migratory", even if this behavioural pattern is a wellknown one for roe deer (Mysterud 1999;Lamberti et al 2004); in fact, they did not shift between two areas but from April onwards moved continuously from one area to a new one during the pre-reproductive and reproductive periods without establishing a stable site. Roe deer bucks are commonly thought of as territorial cervids (Strandgaard 1972;Owen-Smith 1977;Bideau et al 1983;Hewison et al 1998;Liberg et al 1998;Rossi et al 2003), with only sub-adult males being excluded from ownership of territory, given that they range over that of adult bucks (Bramley 1970;Danilkin b 1996;Hewison et al 1998).…”

Ranging behaviour and reproductive rate in the threatened population of roe deer in Gargano, South Italy

“…In July and August, interfix distance increases, probably because of increased fawn mobility (Linnell et al 1998b;San José & Lovari 1998) and doe searching behaviour for a mate Liberg et al 1998;Lovari et al 2008a;Richard et al 2008). As to seasonal home range size and movement pattern, they did not differ from what has been found in other resident populations of roe deer (European ssp: Kjellander et al 2004;Lamberti et al 2004;Saïd & Servanty 2004;Saïd et al 2009;Italian ssp: Lovari & San José 1997;Melis et al 2005). Conversely, our small sample of males showed a very consistent pattern of mobility throughout the spring and the summer months, when bucks are territorial.…”

First description of spatial and temporal patterns of river crossings by European roe deer Capreolus capreolus (Mammalia: Cervidae): characteristics and possible reasons

“…In other European countries, seasonal migration has also been found (e.g. Mysterud 1999;Lamberti et al 2004), but according to Cagnacci et al (2011), movements depend on the topographic variability. Lakes and rivers have been found to act as dispersal barriers for several mammals [caribou: McLoughlin et al (2004), moose: Peterson (1955) cit.…”

“…According to Lamberti et al (2004), this may result from meteorological factors (snow depth, temperature change), predator pressure and competition for resources. In our study, does did not move more than 1-2 km when they crossed the Tisza River.…”