Movement patterns of Tomistoma schlegelii in the Sekonyer Kanan river (Tanjung Puting National Park, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia): Preliminary range size estimates

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • René Bonke - , Research Museum Alexander Koenig - Leibniz Institute for Animal Biodiversity (Author)
  • Flora Ihlow - , Research Museum Alexander Koenig - Leibniz Institute for Animal Biodiversity (Author)
  • Wolfgang Böhme - , Research Museum Alexander Koenig - Leibniz Institute for Animal Biodiversity (Author)
  • Dennis Rödder - , Research Museum Alexander Koenig - Leibniz Institute for Animal Biodiversity (Author)

Abstract

Studies on home ranges and movement patterns have scarcely been conducted for crocodilians so far. Herein we present observations on movement patterns as preliminary home range size estimates for the endangered Tomistoma schlegelii (Crocodylia). Fieldwork was conducted at the Sekonyer Kanan River (Tanjung Puting National Park, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia). Three specimens were caught using a snare-pole, fitted with VHF radio tracking transmitters, and studied for a duration of two months between 31 August 2009 and 28 October 2009. Within this period, the individuals were relocated between 23 and 42 times, respectively. We analysed movement patterns by determining the animals' linear range sizes (LR), minimum convex polygon ranges (MCP), kernel density estimators (50% and 90% KDEs), and local a-convex hulls (50% and 90% LoCoH). Linear range sizes (LR) were 0.104, 0.276 and 0.739 km while minimum convex polygon sizes (100% MCP) were 0.1, 0.577 and 1.758 ha. The study animals' kernel range sizes (90% KDE) were 0.094, 0.663 and 2.08 ha. Core areas (50% KDE) were 0.02, 0.211 and 0.639 ha in size. Local a-convex hull range sizes (90% LoCoH) were 0.025, 0.323 and 0.821 ha whereby core areas (50% LoCoH) for two study animals measured 0.103 and 0.34 ha. Although, our study was limited to a single dry season and therefore likely underestimates full range sizes for the species - our results provide important baseline data for urgently required follow-up studies on movement patterns of this endangered crocodile species.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)40-52
Number of pages13
JournalSalamandra
Volume50
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 2014
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

Keywords

  • Activity patterns, Crocodylia, Kernel density estimator, Local convex hull, Minimum convex polygon, Radio telemetry