POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS OF COYOTES (CANIS-LATRANS) IN THE NORTHERNCHIHUAHUAN DESERT OF NEW-MEXICO

We estimated demographic variables for a coyote (Canis latrans) popula tion in the northern Chihuahuan Desert in spring 1991. Indices of coyo te abundance indicated that the population was in a decline phase duri ng 1991. Of 41 coyotes radio-collared on the Jornada Experimental Rang e near Las Cruces, New Mexico, only 7% were juveniles and a relatively high percentage (40%) were transient (nonterritorial) animals. Size o f the core areas of 10 territorial ranges occupied by 13 coyotes avera ged 5.6 km(2). None of 11 radio-collared females produced viable fetus es in 1991. We examined data from earlier studies to assess factors af fecting population dynamics in the region. Autumn scent-station indice s of coyote abundance were positively correlated with annual rainfall (July to June) during 1972-1981. Low recruitment in the population dur ing 1991 may have resulted from the combined effect of relatively low rainfall and high coyote abundance in the preceding 2-3 yr.