Use of space by the woolly opossum Caluromys philander (Marsupialia, Didelphidae) in French Guiana

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Abstract
Use of space by a woolly opossum (Caluromys philander) population in a primary forest of French Guiana was examined by trapping and radio tracking during 27 months over a period of 3.5 years. Mean home-range size was about 3 ha. Home ranges widely overlapped between both males and females. Use of space was more evenly distributed during the season of fruit scarcity than during the season of fruit abundance. The location of the core area within the home range was correlated with the location of feeding sites. A high dispersal rate was observed in both young and adults. Space-use patterns were influenced to some extent by factors relating to the environment (food availability) and the individual (energy needs of females related to maternal investment). Nevertheless, ranging behaviour varied greatly among individuals. Space-use patterns appear to be highly opportunistic in this species and may explain why C. philander has colonized a vast range of habitats over a wide geographical area.