| Abstract: | Habitat fragmentation is a significant threat to biodiversity worldwide. Habitat loss and the isolation of habitat fragments disrupt biological communities, accelerate the extinction of populations, and often lead to the alteration of behavioral patterns typical of individuals in large, contiguous natural areas. We used radio-telemetry to study the space-use behavior of the Coachwhip, a larger-bodied, wide-ranging snake species threatened by habitat fragmentation, in fragmented and contiguous areas of coastal southern California. We tracked 24 individuals at three sites over two years. Movement patterns of Coachwhips changed in habitat fragments. As area available to the snakes was reduced, individuals faced increased crowding, had smaller home-range sizes, tolerated greater home-range overlap, and showed more concentrated movement activity and convoluted movement pathways. The behavioral response shown by Coachwhips suggests, on a regional level, area-effects alone cannot explain observed extinctions on habitat fragments but, instead, suggests changes in habitat configuration are more likely to explain the decline of this species. Ultimately, if "edge-exposure" is a common cause of decline, then isolated fragments, appropriately buffered to reduce emigration and edge effects, may support viable populations of fragmentation-sensitive species. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70003638 |
| Citation Author: | Mitrovich, Milan J.; Diffendorfer, Jay E.; Fisher, Robert N. |
| Citation Contributing Office: | Western Ecological Research Center |
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| Citation End Page: | 656 |
| Citation Issue: | 4 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Journal of Herpetology |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 11 |
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| Citation Phsyical Description: | 11 p. |
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| Citation Publisher: | Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Behavioral response of the coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum) to habitat fragment size and isolation in an urban landscape; 2009; Article; Journal; Journal of Herpetology; Mitrovich, Milan J.; Diffendorfer, Jay E.; Fisher, Robert N. |
| Citation Start Page: | 646 |
| Citation Volume: | 43 |
| Citation Year: | 2009 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Behavioral response of the coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum) to habitat fragment size and isolation in an urban landscape; 2009; Article; Journal; Journal of Herpetology; Mitrovich, Milan J.; Diffendorfer, Jay E.; Fisher, Robert N. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| URL (INDEX PAGE): | http://www.werc.usgs.gov/ProductDetails.aspx?ID=3930 |
| Date Other: | Tue, 7 Jun 2011 16:50 -0500 |
| Publisher: | Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles |
