Spacing patterns and territoriality of the stone marten

Abstract

Sixteen stone martens (Martes foina) were intensively radio-tracked in central Italy in order to assess their spacing patterns. Home-range sizes and distances travelled per night were analysed with respect to sex, age, season, and habitat. Intrasexual territoriality is confirmed for the species; home-range edges appeared to be determined by the dispersion of neighbours' territories. Home-range size was positively correlated with the presence of woodland (less abundant and more dispersed resources). Males travelled longer distances than females, although home-range sizes did not differ significantly by sex; males did not move more during the rutting season than in other seasons. Subadults were tolerated by adults for varying periods, then in some cases they started an exploring phase before settling into a vacant territory. Stone martens' spacing patterns were affected by sex, age, social interactions, and resources. In particular, social patterns appear to be a key influencing factor, as territoriality, parental behaviour, mating interactions. and dispersal of young can account for site fidelity, dispersion of home ranges, and distance travelled. In particular, our data indicate the importance of the extended relationship between the mating pair, which is probably related to male parental investment, in determining the spacing patterns of the species