Multi-scale habitat partitioning in sympatric suiforms

The native collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu) and the introduced feral pig ( Sus scrofa) occur sympatrically in southern Texas. We examined habitat part itioning of these 2 species on the Chaparral Wildlife Management Area in so uthern Texas, from December 1993 through December 1995, at 3 scales of reso urce selection: seasonal home range, microhabitat, and temporal microhabita t. Seasonal habitat partitioning was observed at the home range level durin g and immediately subsequent to droughts. Microhabitat partitioning occurre d in all seasons, regardless of precipitation. Temporal partitioning betwee n species was observed in spring 1995. Partitioning of vegetation types at >1 level took place in 4 of 8 seasons. Multi-scale partitioning may provide additive, and possibly multiplicative. habitat partitioning between these species, and allow coexistence even during harsh environmental conditions s uch as droughts.