Spatial patterning in nocturnal prosimians: A review of methods and relevance to studies of sociality

Patterns of home range overlap between individuals are key parameters used in discussions of sociality in nocturnal prosimians. Despite the importance of space use variables in defining social structure in nocturnal prosimian s, researchers have yet to reach a consensus concerning the most reliable t echniques for measuring patterns of home range use. In this paper, we revie w the methods used in 27 studies of nocturnal prosimian ranging behavior pu blished since 1977. We discuss the usefulness and limitations of the variou s methods of data collection (radio tracking, trap mark, and identification of sleeping site locations) and data analysis (minimum convex polygon meth od, minimum concave polygon method, and quadrat analysis) used in these stu dies. We conclude that the most effective method for gathering data on indi vidual movements and social interactions is direct observation of individua l radio tagged animals during all-night follows. In those cases where radio tracking and/ or all-night follows are not possible, trap mark techniques can be used, although they tend to greatly underestimate home range size. W e recommend that data collected on nocturnal prosimian ranging behavior be analyzed using the minimum convex polygon method, quadrat analysis, and, pe rhaps, one other of the more mathematically sophisticated techniques popula r in studies of non-primate mammals. Finally, we urge researchers to employ standardized methods of data collection and data analysis in future studie s of range use in nocturnal prosimians. Without standardization of methods, quantitative comparisons of the findings from different studies are biolog ically meaningless and prevent cross-species comparisons of space use and i ts relation to sociality. Am. J. Primatol. 51:3-19, 2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-Li ss, Inc.