An Estimate of Minimum Density for Coyotes in Western Tennessee
1989; Wiley; Volume: 53; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.2307/3801328
ISSN1937-2817
AutoresJeffrey G. Babb, Michael L. Kennedy,
Tópico(s)Ecology and biodiversity studies
ResumoWe used leg hold traps and snares to assess the density of a population of coyotes (Canis latrans) from 6 January to 14 March 1986. The study was conducted in Gibson and Carroll counties, Tennessee. Thirty-four coyotes (18 M, 16 F) were captured, and minimum density averaged 0.35 coyote/km2. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 53(1):186-188 Coyotes have been the subject of numerous biological investigations (Bekoff 1977, 1982), but studies relating to population density have been limited. Clark (1972), Knowlton (1972), Nellis and Keith (1976), Camenzind (1978), Pyrah (1984), and Andelt (1985) reviewed previous investigations of coyote abundance. There are no estimates of population abundance reported for coyotes east of the Mississippi River in the southeastern United States. Management information for coyotes in this region is needed because this species has only recently colonized many areas of the Southeast (Gipson 1978, Kennedy et al. 1986). The objective of our study was to determine the minimum density of a coyote population in western Tennessee. This investigation should provide insight into the potential densities that managers may expect for coyotes in the southeastern United States. We appreciate the assistance of personnel of the Milan Army Ammunition Plant (MAAP) for permission to work on lands under their control. We thank S. W. Stephenson (MAAP) and G. W. Cook (Tenn. Wildl. Resour. Agency) for assistance in most aspects of the study. H. T. Altom, M. J. W. Bryant, and C. R. Stuart of MAAP and several individuals from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Memphis State University provided field assistance. This study was funded in part by Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration, Project W-46R, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
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