Locomotor activity pattern of two recently introduced non-native ungulate species in a Mediterranean habitat

Abstract

Abstract. The aim of this study was to determine the locomotor activity pattern of European mouflon and axis deer in a Mediterranean habitat on the island of Rab, and to determine the temporal overlap between these two species. Nine cameras with an infrared motion detection system were used to track animal activity over a 12-month period, 24 hours per day. A total of 122082 JPEG photographs were obtained, of which 69273 recorded the presence of the two target non-native ungulate species. The average monthly number of recorded animals varied by sex and season for European mouflon and by season for axis deer. Both species displayed a bimodal activity pattern, with an overlap coefficient of 0.74 for the activity of both species during the entire study period. The results indicate a non-competitive coexistence and similar activity patterns in the studied ungulate species, despite the high overlap coefficient.