Oral Presentation- Symposium 12th International Mammalogical Congress

Spatio-temporal ecology of the rusty-spotted genet, Genetta maculata, in Telperion Nature Reserve (Mpumalanga, South Africa). (#321)

Rouxlyn Ms Roux 1 , Roxanne N Ms Collins 1 , W Maartin Mr Strauss 1 , Emmanuel Prof Do Linh San 2
  1. Department of Environmental Science, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
  2. Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, Eastern Cape, South Africa

The rusty-spotted genet, Genetta maculata, is endemic to Africa and poorly studied. We carried out the first exhaustive study in South Africa over a full annual cycle (September 2015 to August 2016). We aimed to describe their 1) activity patterns, 2) resting site ecology, and 3) spatial behaviour. Nine male and six female genets were live-trapped, fitted with motion-sensor radio-collars and tracked for an average of 6 ± 3 nights and 2 ± 1 days per individual. An average of 36 ± 24 resting site locations were also taken for each animal. Genets were primarily nocturnal (nocturnality index: 0.84). Differences in activity were minimal between sexes, but significant between seasons. Genets were less active during winter. The percentage of resting site reuse (37 ± 17% per animal per season) did not differ between sexes or seasons. The distance between resting sites on consecutive days was higher for males (940 m) than females (707 m). Home range sizes of males (2.87 km2) and females (3.34 km2) and during the different seasons did not differ. Core areas were small (7% of the home range). Slight inter- and intra-sexual home range overlaps were recorded. Home ranges and specifically core areas were located on dense bushveld vegetation. We suggest that our results can be explained by a combination of factors including food availability, reproductive actions and predator avoidance.