 |
|
Movement of badgers in a high-density population: individual,
population and disease
Journal
Proceedings: Biological
Sciences, 22 July 1998, vol. 265, no. 1403,
pp1269-1269(1)
Authors
Rogers L. M.;
Delahay R.; Cheeseman C. L.; Langton S.; Smith G. C.; Clifton-Hadley
R. S.
Abstract
The
movement of 1763 badgers trapped between 36 social groups in
Woodchester Park, Gloucestershire, over 18 years was analysed to
determine the frequency and duration of moves, the factors
associated with a predisposition to move and the spatial pattern of
movements. Of those badgers whose capture history could be
categorized, nearly half had moved. Of these, 73.1% were classified
as 'occasional movers', 22.1% as 'permanent movers' and 4.8% as
'frequent movers'. Most adult badgers that moved made occasional
moves (78.8%, n = 67). Cubs made all types of move including
permanent moves (29%, n = 10). Seventy per cent of females
were non-movers compared with 37% of males. Badgers were
significantly more likely to move to smaller groups, whereas male
badgers were significantly more likely to move to groups with a
greater proportion of females. The spatial pattern of movement
differed from the distribution of groups with bovine tuberculosis in
the study area. However, temporal changes in movement were
significantly related to the incidence of Mycobacterium bovis
infection in the following year, indicating that as the movement of
badgers between groups varies so does the incidence of bovine
tuberculosis in the population. This finding is of central
importance in the formulation of badger control
policy.
Web site
http://www.ingenta.com |
|
|
