
doi: 10.1894/ps-49.1
Populations of ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) have declined during the past century due mainly to loss of habitat resulting in the ocelot being listed as endangered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. In southern Texas, the northern distribution of the ocelot overlaps the southern distribution of the bobcat (Lynx rufus). Because bobcats could adversely affect populations of ocelots through interspecific competition, we examined habitat selection of sympatric ocelots and bobcats to determine if habitat partitioning could be functioning to reduce interspecific interactions. Using radiotelemetry, we analyzed macro-scale (vegetative communities) and micro-scale (structural components) selection of habitats by sympatric ocelots and bobcats on Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Cameron County, Texas. We looked for differences in placement of home ranges within the general study area, selection of cover within home ranges, and use of structural components of vegetation within types of cover. There was substantial evidence for habitat partitioning with ocelots selecting areas with .75% canopy cover, while bobcats selected areas with ,75% canopy cover. Thus, coexistence between these two species might be facilitated by resource partitioning of habitat. RESUMEN—Las poblaciones de ocelote (Leopardus pardalis) han disminuido durante el ultimo siglo debido principalmente a la perdida de habitat. Como resultado, esta especie ha sido enlistada en peligro de extincion por el United States Fish and Wildlife Service. En el sur de Texas, la distribucion septentrional del ocelote se sobrepone con la distribucion meridional del lince rojo (Lynx rufus). Debido a que el lince rojo podro ´a afectar negativamente las poblaciones del ocelote con la competencia interespeco ´fica, examinamos la seleccion de habitat de las dos especies simpatricas para determinar si la particion de ha podo ´a reducir las interacciones interespeco ´ficas. Usando radiotelemetro ´a, analizamos la seleccion de habitat a una macro escala (comunidades vegetales) y a una micro escala (componentes estructurales) en Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, condado de Cameron, Texas. Buscamos diferencias en la ubicacion de rangos de hogar dentro del area general de estudio, la seleccion del tipo de cobertura dentro del rango de hogar, y el uso de componentes estructurales de vegetacion dentro del tipo de cobertura. Encontramos evidencia substancial de la particion de habitat, con ocelotes seleccionando a con .75% de cobertura del dosel mientras que el lince rojo seleccionoareas con ,75% de cobertura del dosel. Por lo tanto, la particion de los recursos del habitat podro ´a facilitar la co-existencia entre estas dos especies.
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