1. Sample description

Coyotes were included in this dispersal summary if they were tracked for at least 120 days (4 months) and had at least 30 locations.The sample includes both GPS- and radio-collared animals. Where applicable, data summaries include two figures that depict data with and without dispersals resulting from disappeared animals to determine how the “disappeared” dispersal category influences the data.

Sample size: 379
Dispersing individuals: 226
Dispersal events: 304

2. Sample tracking characteristics

3. Dispersal type

The types of dispersal include:

1) “Observed” dispersal events were identified using the coyotes’ locations i.e. the animal maintained a stable home range and then stopped using the area but continued to be tracked elsewhere

2) “Mortality outside of last home range” represents animals whose postmortem recovery location was outside of their last known home range

3) “Disappeared” represents animals whose tracking ended with no postmortem recovery, i.e., assumed dispersal

Three methods were used for identifying natal dispersal events:

1) Animals whose parentage was determined by Ashley’s genetics work: Natal home ranges were estimated using the coyote’s parents’ location data. If there was overlap between the coyote’s locations and their parents’ locations prior to the first dispersal event, then that event was classified as natal dispersal.

2) Animals captured as pups with a natal den location: I looked for overlap between their den location and their radio locations. If their locations overlapped with or were in proximity to the natal den, e.g., in the same green space, before the first dispersal even, then that event was classified as natal dispersal.

3) Dispersals that occurred within a year of the animal’s estimated birth date were categorized as natal dispersals.
I expect these methods to be reliable for identifying natal dispersers but there is more uncertainty in the non-natal dispersal category because we are lacking natal home range data for many of those individuals. We need to consider this when evaluating other aspects of dispersal, e.g., seasonality.

4. Total dispersal events per individual

5. Sex ratio across dispersal categories

6. Estimated age at time of dispersal

Ages were estimated using pup captures and birth years from the pup-parents genetics data frame.

7. Seasonality

8. Dispersal across years

To do

  1. Spatial analysis
  1. Compensatory dispersal