Spatial Ecology in a Northern Disjunct Population of Southern Flying Squirrel, Glaucomys Volans

Download or read book Spatial Ecology in a Northern Disjunct Population of Southern Flying Squirrel, Glaucomys Volans written by Amanda J. Lavers and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Distribution, movement, behaviour, and habitat selection of a disjunct population of southern flying squirrel, Glaucomys volans, were investigated at three scales: population range, home range, and activity point. The distribution of G. volans in Nova Scotia was delineated by adding 32 new site records to seven historical ones. Site records were obtained from live trapping and public assistance. Using radio telemetry, 53 winter nests were located at five study areas. Tracking revealed that G. volans used on average five nests separated by a mean distance of 300 m over two-month tracking periods. Individuals nested solitarily and aggregated in mixed-sex groups of 2-10 individuals. Glaucomys volans shared home ranges and winter nests with northern flying squirrels, G. sabrinus. Vegetation at G. volans sites was analysed with GIS and ground-truthing. Glaucomys volans in Nova Scotia select species-rich mixedwood forests with red oak and eastern hemlock that have large, mature trees with cavities and standing dead wood.