Social Ecology of the huemul at Torres Del Paine National Park, Chile

In a ten-year study of the huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) population at Torres del Paine National Park in southern Patagonia, we covered a wide range of information regarding the ecology of this endanger deer. We determined the huemul social structure, social behavior, reproductive season, and assoc...

Descripción completa

Guardado en:
Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Garay,Gladys, Ortega,Isaac M, Guineo,Oscar
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Universidad de Magallanes 2016
Materias:
Acceso en línea:http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0718-686X2016000100003
Etiquetas: Agregar Etiqueta
Sin Etiquetas, Sea el primero en etiquetar este registro!
id oai:scielo:S0718-686X2016000100003
record_format dspace
spelling oai:scielo:S0718-686X20160001000032018-09-06Social Ecology of the huemul at Torres Del Paine National Park, ChileGaray,GladysOrtega,Isaac MGuineo,Oscar Hippocamelus bisulcus social structure reproduction dispersion Chilean Patagonia In a ten-year study of the huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) population at Torres del Paine National Park in southern Patagonia, we covered a wide range of information regarding the ecology of this endanger deer. We determined the huemul social structure, social behavior, reproductive season, and associated movements throughout the year. Huemuls were observed in the park central area of Sector Grey. When animals were located, natural marks or scars, coloring of body and face, and antler characteristics were used to identify them. We also ear tagged sixteen fawns from 2002 to 2008. Behavioral information was collected from all members with focal observations. We found established and transient social groups. Among the established we found family groups, solo female, and solo male, and among the transient we found solo female, solo male, solo yearling, pair of yearlings, and mixed groups. Family groups were observed throughout the year since they remained in the same area. We observed the first mating of marked females at about 16 months of age. We were not able to determine male age of their first mating, since they left the study site as yearlings. Females gave birth from late October to mid-November. The home range varied from 269 to 336 ha for the established family group. Huemul movements were associated with seasons and reproduction cycles, which also implies group changes. During the rut, some transient solo males tried to move into home ranges of established family groups. During the birthing season, pregnant females remained alone for short periods of time, while yearlings were temporarily expelled from their natal group but remained within the home range, thus sometimes the three members of the group were seen alone. These critical periods increased antagonism among huemuls, generating changes in their group structure. Movements associated with huemul in the park consisted of movements within the home range, seasonal movements, dispersion of the yearlings, and movements during the reproductive period.info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessUniversidad de MagallanesAnales del Instituto de la Patagonia v.44 n.1 20162016-01-01text/htmlhttp://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0718-686X2016000100003en10.4067/S0718-686X2016000100003
institution Scielo Chile
collection Scielo Chile
language English
topic Hippocamelus bisulcus
social structure
reproduction
dispersion
Chilean Patagonia
spellingShingle Hippocamelus bisulcus
social structure
reproduction
dispersion
Chilean Patagonia
Garay,Gladys
Ortega,Isaac M
Guineo,Oscar
Social Ecology of the huemul at Torres Del Paine National Park, Chile
description In a ten-year study of the huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) population at Torres del Paine National Park in southern Patagonia, we covered a wide range of information regarding the ecology of this endanger deer. We determined the huemul social structure, social behavior, reproductive season, and associated movements throughout the year. Huemuls were observed in the park central area of Sector Grey. When animals were located, natural marks or scars, coloring of body and face, and antler characteristics were used to identify them. We also ear tagged sixteen fawns from 2002 to 2008. Behavioral information was collected from all members with focal observations. We found established and transient social groups. Among the established we found family groups, solo female, and solo male, and among the transient we found solo female, solo male, solo yearling, pair of yearlings, and mixed groups. Family groups were observed throughout the year since they remained in the same area. We observed the first mating of marked females at about 16 months of age. We were not able to determine male age of their first mating, since they left the study site as yearlings. Females gave birth from late October to mid-November. The home range varied from 269 to 336 ha for the established family group. Huemul movements were associated with seasons and reproduction cycles, which also implies group changes. During the rut, some transient solo males tried to move into home ranges of established family groups. During the birthing season, pregnant females remained alone for short periods of time, while yearlings were temporarily expelled from their natal group but remained within the home range, thus sometimes the three members of the group were seen alone. These critical periods increased antagonism among huemuls, generating changes in their group structure. Movements associated with huemul in the park consisted of movements within the home range, seasonal movements, dispersion of the yearlings, and movements during the reproductive period.
author Garay,Gladys
Ortega,Isaac M
Guineo,Oscar
author_facet Garay,Gladys
Ortega,Isaac M
Guineo,Oscar
author_sort Garay,Gladys
title Social Ecology of the huemul at Torres Del Paine National Park, Chile
title_short Social Ecology of the huemul at Torres Del Paine National Park, Chile
title_full Social Ecology of the huemul at Torres Del Paine National Park, Chile
title_fullStr Social Ecology of the huemul at Torres Del Paine National Park, Chile
title_full_unstemmed Social Ecology of the huemul at Torres Del Paine National Park, Chile
title_sort social ecology of the huemul at torres del paine national park, chile
publisher Universidad de Magallanes
publishDate 2016
url http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0718-686X2016000100003
work_keys_str_mv AT garaygladys socialecologyofthehuemulattorresdelpainenationalparkchile
AT ortegaisaacm socialecologyofthehuemulattorresdelpainenationalparkchile
AT guineooscar socialecologyofthehuemulattorresdelpainenationalparkchile
_version_ 1714205701609357312