Space Use and Habitat Selection by Resident and Transient Red Wolves (Canis rufus)

Abstract

Recovery of large carnivores remains a challenge because complex spatial dynamics that facilitate population persistence are poorly understood. In particular, recovery of the critically endangered red wolf (Canis rufus) has been challenging because of its vulnerability to extinction via human-caused mortality and hybridization with coyotes (Canis latrans). Therefore, understanding red wolf space use and habitat selection is important to assist recovery because key aspects of wolf ecology such as interspecific competition, foraging, and habitat selection are well-known to influence population dynamics and persistence. During 2009-2011, we used global positioning system (GPS) radio-telemetry to quantify space use and 3rd-order habitat selection for resident and transient red wolves on the Albemarle Peninsula of eastern North Carolina. The Albemarle Peninsula was a predominantly agricultural landscape in which red wolves maintained spatially stable home ranges that varied between 25 km2 and 190 km2. Conversely, transient red wolves did not maintain home ranges and traversed areas between 122 km2 and 681 km2. Space use by transient red wolves was not spatially stable and exhibited shifting patterns until residency was achieved by individual wolves. Habitat selection was similar between resident and transient red wolves in which agricultural habitats were selected over forested habitats. However, transients showed stronger selection for edges and roads than resident red wolves. Behaviors of transient wolves are rarely reported in studies of space use and habitat selection because of technological limitations to observed extensive space use and because they do not contribute reproductively to populations. Transients in our study comprised displaced red wolves and younger dispersers that competed for limited space and mating opportunities. Therefore, our results suggest that transiency is likely an important life-history strategy for red wolves that facilitates metapopulation dynamics through short- and long-distance movements and eventual replacement of breeding residents lost to mortality.

Fig 1. Map of the Albemarle Peninsula of northeastern North Carolina with primary habitat types during 2009–2011.

Fig 2. Habitat availability and habitat proportions of space used by resident and transient red wolves in northeastern North Carolina during 2009–2011.

Asterisks above the bars represent statistical differences among areas within habitat classes (P < 0.05, Tukey’s test). Study area proportions are shown for reference.

Fig 3. Relative probability of 3^rd-order habitat selection by resident red wolves across the Albemarle Peninsula in eastern North Carolina during 2009–2011.

Fig 4. Relative probability of 3^rd-order habitat selection by transient red wolves across the Albemarle Peninsula in northeastern North Carolina during 2009–2011.