Cougar Dispersal Patterns, Metapopulation Dynamics, and Conservation

@article{Sweanor2000CougarDP,
  title={Cougar Dispersal Patterns, Metapopulation Dynamics, and Conservation},
  author={Linda L. Sweanor and Kenneth A. Logan and Maurice G. Hornocker},
  journal={Conservation Biology},
  year={2000},
  volume={14}
}
We examined cougar ( Puma concolor ) dispersal, emigration, and immigration in the San Andres Mountains, New Mexico, from 1985 to 1995 to quantify the effects of dispersal on the local population and surrounding subpopulations. [] Key Method We captured, tagged, and radio-collared animals to detect the arrival of new immigrants and dispersal characteristics of progeny. We found that cougars in southern New Mexico exhib- ited a metapopulation structure in which cougar subpopulations were separated by expanses…
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253 Citations
Highly Influential Citations
32
Background Citations
110
Methods Citations
4
Results Citations
15

253 Citations

Dispersal movements of subadult cougars from the Black Hills: the notions of range expansion and recolonization

Dispersal plays a vital role in cougar (Puma concolor) population ecology, creating genetic viability and maintaining gene flow between populations. The naturally recolonized cougar population in the…

Space-use, movement and dispersal of sub-adult cougars in a geographically isolated population

Although certain habitat characteristics were preferred, transient and localizing cougars used fast-paced nocturnal movements and shortened daytime movements when traversing open habitats to effectively limit their residency and exposure in less-suitable landscapes.

Cougar Dispersal and Natal Homing in a Desert Environment

Abstract. We present a review of cougar dispersal literature and the first evidence of natural (i.e., unmanipulated) homing behavior by a dispersing male cougar (Puma concolor) that sustained severe…

GENETIC STRUCTURE OF COUGAR POPULATIONS ACROSS THE WYOMING BASIN: METAPOPULATION OR MEGAPOPULATION

Based on measures of gene flow, extinction risk in the near future appears low and Bayesian assignment to population based on individual genotypes showed that cougars in this region were best described as a single panmictic population.

Dispersal behaviour of a polygynous carnivore: do cougars Puma concolor follow source-sink predictions?

Results can be used to parameterize source-sink models based on animal behaviour and landscape permeability to conserve exploited carnivores, under conditions of population expansion or recolonization of habitats where Allee effects are a limiting factor.

Florida panther dispersal and conservation

Long-Distance Dispersal of a Female Cougar in a Basin and Range Landscape

Abstract We used Global Positioning System technology to document distance, movement path, vegetation, and elevations used by a dispersing subadult female cougar (Puma concolor) through the…

Dynamics of a black bear population within a desert metapopulation

Cougar Exploitation Levels in Utah: Implications for Demographic Structure, Population Recovery, and Metapopulation Dynamics

Abstract Currently, 11 western states and 2 Canadian provinces use sport hunting as the primary mechanism for managing cougar (Puma concolor) populations. Yet the impacts of sustained harvest on…

Modelling potential dispersal corridors for cougars in midwestern North America using least-cost path methods

...

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