No. 6 - Autumm 2001

MALE AND FEMALE SPATIAL BEHAVIOUR OF ROE DEER IN A MOUNTAINOUS HABITAT DURING PRE-RUTTING AND RUTTING PERIOD
I. Rossi, P. Lamberti, L. Mauri & M. Apollonio

Abstract - During pre-rutting and rutting period, spacing behaviour of male and female roe deer Capreolus capreolus (Linnaeus, 1758) was studied in a wooded and mountainous habitat, in the Casentinesi Forest National Park, Italy. Data were collected using radio-tracking techniques from March to August 1997. Bimonthly and monthly home ranges and bimonthly home range overlaps of both sexes were analysed. Variations in bimonthly home range sizes did not show significant differences between sexes during pre-rutting and rutting period. Different social factors seemed to influence the ranging behaviour of both sexes in this mountainous habitat. Male use of space varied in relation to the age classes of animals, especially during the pre-rutting period, when yearlings were not able to establish a territory. Female ranging movements were linked to the births timing and to two different spacing strategies during the rutting period. Home ranges sizes of females were significantly lower than those of males in May and in July. Significant changes in home range sizes were also found between prime age males and both roaming and stationary females.

TRACKING 48 AND 150 MHZ RADIO-TAGGED MALE LAKE-TROUT DURING THEIR SPAWNING MIGRATION IN A MOUNTAIN REGULATED RIVER
G. Monet & I. Soares

Abstract - Since 1991, the natural migration of trout (Salmo trutta L.) from Lake Geneva to the Lower-Dranse river has been jeopardized by a weir that trout apparently cannot pass. To estimate whether adding a fishway to this weir is useful, five male trout were surgically tagged with radio transmitters operating at radio frequencies of either 48 to 50 MHz and or at 150 MHz to localise eventual spawning grounds. Healing after surgery was very good despite the low water temperature (5.5°C). The 150 MHz system was easy to use and localised fish precisely. The trout migration area was located downstream from a hydraulic power station inducing peaking flows in this very turbulent upland river. Despite these difficult conditions, tracking the trout migration made it possible to localise probable spawning areas.

WINTER MOVEMENTS OF THE ALPINE CHOUGH: IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT IN THE ALPS
P. Laiolo, A. Rolando & L. Carisio

Abstract - The home ranges and movements of marked Alpine choughs (Pyrrhocorax graculus) were investigated in Aosta Valley, western Italian Alps, in two study sessions: winter-spring 1996-1997 and winter-spring 1997-1998. Overall 28 birds were marked, six of these were also equipped with a small radio tag. Home range sizes of 17 birds were estimated with the minimum convex polygon method (MCP), harmonic mean analysis (HC) and Kernel analysis. Alpine choughs resulted to be highly gregarious: home ranges of marked birds in fact overlapped throughout winter and spring. Feeding areas location and home range sizes varied dramatically from October to May in both study sessions. Climatic factors, food availability and food quality probably influenced the spatial distribution of this species. Before the snowfalls, birds remained above the tree line, frequently using food provided by tourists at refuges and picnic areas. After the first snowfall in November most feeding took place in shrubbery at 1500 m. When the amount of snow cover became too deep the Alpine choughs came down to the valley bottoms and its surroundings (600-1000 m) to forage in apple-orchards by day and flew back up into the mountains to roost. In March and April these birds frequented villages at valley tops (visiting picnic areas or foraging in snow-free patches). In late spring, they went back to the higher grounds on the valley tops. The importance of tourist development and of traditional agricultural practices for Alpine chough winter survival is discussed.

ON THE STATUS AND BIOLOGY OF THE WILD GOAT IN DAGHESTAN (RUSSIA)
P. Weinberg

Abstract - Wild goat (Capra aegagrus, Erxleben 1777) was studied in Daghestan,which includes about 2/3 of the isolated North Caucasian part of the species range. The species distribution covers the upper halves of the Avar Koisu and Andi Koisu riverbasins. Wild goats inhabit montane forests partly sharing them with the East Caucasian tur (Capra cylindricornis, Blyth 1841). Population density averages 8-10 animals per km2. Not less than 1500 wild goats live in Daghestan and presumably have been in decline during the last decennaries. Overall mean group size is only 3.3 (± 0.2 s.e.). Rut lasts from mid-December till the end of January, while birth season takes place from mid-June till mid-July. Both reproductive periods are the latest ones all over the species range and partly overlap with those of the sympatric tur. Twins are common and fecundity is noticeably higher than in other conspecific populations and in tur. Wild goats live in close and constant neighbourhood with people in Daghestan and undergo heavy anthropogenic impact which could have shaped the biology of the local wild goat population characterized by intensive reproduction, preference of dense forest stands and secretiveness.

THE DUNG BEETLES OF GRAN PARADISO NATIONAL PARK:
A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS (INSECTA: COLEOPTERA: SCARABAEOIDEA)
L. Borghesio , C. Palestrini & P. Passerin d’Entrèves

Abstract - A survey of the dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) of Gran Paradiso National Park was done in 1996-97. The insects were collected directly in the dung of wild and reared mammals or by automated pitfall traps. Altogether 28 sites were sampled, at altitudes ranging from 700 to 2800 m. Thirty species of Scarabaeoidea were collected, of which 27 inside the borders of the protected area and another 3 just outside of them, at low altitude sites. The dung beetle community was dominated by Aphodiidae (20 species), while Scarabaeidae and Geotrupidae were represented by 6 and 4 species respectively. Among the species found, we remark the presence of Aphodius pyrenaeus, a high altitude species typical of Alpine marmot’s burrows, and of Geotrupes mutator, whose distribution and population have strongly decreased in Europe.