Home ranges, spatial movements and habitat associations of the Philippine tarsier (Tarsius syrichta) in Corella, Bohol

Abstract

Home ranges, spatial movements and patterns of habitat use were determined during a radio-tracking study on four male and six female Philippine tarsier Tarsius syrichta in Corella, Bohol, from early March to October 1999. This was the first radio-tracking study of the Philippine tarsier that included both breeding adult males and females. Home ranges averaged 6.45 ha for males and 2.45 ha for females (MCP and Kernel 95%), allowing for a density of 16 male and 41 female tarsiers per 100 ha. The habitats are primarily located in secondary lowland rainforest in early to mid succession stage, but individual tarsiers readily traversed open grass areas to move between forest patches. However, the tarsiers avoided adjacent residential areas, clearings and agricultural plantation, even if the last two were found enclosed in home-range polygons. The home range of one male overlapped extensively with that of one female and to a lesser extent with a second female. Home ranges of males showed little overlap (2.71%) and the same was observed among the females (3.35%). Nightly travel distance averaged 1636 m for males and 1119 m for females. Individuals were observed to forage and sleep solitarily. The tarsiers form groups of one adult male and one or two adult females and their offspring.