Author:
Sousa Filipe Maximiano,Warembourg Charlotte,Abakar Mahamat Fayiz,Alvarez Danilo,Berger-Gonzalez Monica,Odoch Terence,Wera Ewaldus,Chitnis Nakul,Silva Laura Cunha,Alobo Grace,Sikko Maria M.,Roquel Pablo,Hernández Alexis Leonel López,Dürr Salome
Abstract
AbstractFree-roaming domestic dogs (FRDD), as vectors of zoonotic diseases, are of high relevance for public health. Understanding roaming patterns of dogs can help to design disease control programs and disease transmission simulation models. Studies on GPS tracking of dogs report stark differences in recording periods. So far, there is no accepted number of days required to capture a representative home range (HR) of FRDD. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in HR size and shape over time of FRDD living in Chad, Guatemala, Indonesia and Uganda and identify the period required to capture stable HR values. Dogs were collared with GPS units, leading to a total of 46 datasets with, at least, 19 recorded days. For each animal and recorded day, HR sizes were estimated using the Biased Random Bridge method and percentages of daily change in size and shape calculated and taken as metrics. The analysis revealed that the required number of days differed substantially between individuals, isopleths, and countries, with the extended HR (95% isopleth value) requiring a longer recording period. To reach a stable HR size and shape values for 75% of the dogs, 26 and 21 days, respectively, were sufficient. However, certain dogs required more extended observational periods.
Funder
Spezialisierungkommission of the Vetsuisse Faculty of the Bern University
Albert-Heim-Stiftung
Wolfermann-Nägeli Stiftung
Swiss Programme for Research on Global Issues for Development
Vontobel-Stiftung
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC