Spacing patterns of ermine, Mustela erminea L., in a Quebec agrosystem

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Abstract
Spacing patterns in mammals are influenced by mating systems such as polygyny–promiscuity. Movement parameters were monitored over 3 years in an increasing population of ermine, Mustela erminea cicognanii, in southern Quebec (45°22′N, 71°51′W), and the effects of age, sex, breeding status, and annual densities on movements were examined. Residency times (range 24–443 d) were significantly higher in females than in males. Populations were composed of more visiting males than residents and more resident females than visiting females. Adult and juvenile males travelled significantly more than adult females and during the year of highest density than in other years. Males' travel distances significantly decreased and those of females increased during the postbreeding season. Males' home range sizes (range 1.0–87.4 ha) were significantly larger than those of females during the postbreeding period and over the whole season. Home ranges overlapped only between the sexes. Our study showed little influence of annual variations in population density on spacing patterns. We conclude that (i) movements in Nearctic ermine populations are, at moderate to high population levels, influenced by intraspecific characteristics, and (ii) in view of the similar behavior of Palaearctic and Nearctic ermine, interdemic body size range has little influence on spacing patterns of ermine.