Influence of time-in-residence on home range and habitat use of bobcats

Influence of time-in-residence on bobcat (Lynx rufus) home range size and h abitat use is unknown. Therefore, we examined changes in home range size an d habitat use as functions of monitoring duration for bobcats monitored gre ater than or equal to 2 years in eastcentral Mississippi. We monitored 27 b obcats (5 M, 22 F) for a greater than or equal to 2-year period from 1 Janu ary 1989 to 31 December 1996. As duration of monitoring increased, changes in home range size were dependent on sex (P = 0.07). Male annual home range s increased (previous year home range size = 1,534 +/- 212 ha [(x) over bar +/- SE]) subsequent year home range size = 1,567 +/- 261; P = 0.08, n = 9) , whereas female annual home ranges decreased (previous year home range siz e = 781 +/- 91 ha, subsequent year home range size = 640 +/- 57; P = 0.03, n = 36) with time-in-residence. Habitat composition of female bobcat home r anges did not change over time (P > 0.10). Conversely, habitat composition of male home ranges seemed to change over time (P = 0.08). However, there w ere no univariate differences (P > 0.10) in male home range habitat composi tion as a function of time-in-residence. Interpretation of home range data without information concerning time-in-residence may be misleading.