REPRODUCTION, STRUCTURE, MOVEMENTS AND DENSITY OF COYOTES (Canis latrans Say) UNDER CONTROL, IN THE SEMI-ARID REGION OF SAN LUIS POTOSI, MEXICO

Abstract

During 10 years, in intervals of two years (from 1995 to 2014), the effect of controlling coyotes (Canis latrans Say) on reproductive aspects and population density was evaluated in a surface of 799 km2, which could explain their increase and dispersion in communities of the Chihuahua desert, in San Luis Potosí, México. Ninety-two specimens (28 males, 64 females) were captured and liberated to learn about their age, reproductive phase, size of litter and population density. Five males and five females were fitted with radio transmitter collars. The results showed that before the control carried out by local livestock producers, 41.22 % of the females captured were in pro-estrus phase during the months of February to May. In estrus, there were 23.13 % from October to November and February and March; meanwhile, 35.65 % were in anestrus phase. After control, 46 % of the females were in pro-estrus, 28.20 % in estrus and 25.80 % in anestrus. The average fetuses implanted per female before the control was 5.13, increasing to 7.66 (a=1.9468 E-5) during the reproductive season after the control. The proportion of male:female sexes before the control was 1:2.3 and the age proportion, adult:juvenile was 1:0.6. After the control, the rate of sexes remained, while the proportion of ages increased to 1:09. The average maximum distance travelled before the control was 3.05 km and the average area of activity estimated per individual was 12.34 km2. After the control, the maximum distance travelled and the activity area increased (a=0.0492) to 3.72 km, (a=0.0077) and to 14.34 km2, respectively. The average population density before the control was 27 coyotes km^2,-1, which increased after the control to 30 coyotes km^2-1. It is concluded that coyotes in the study area were capable of increasing their population after the control, through the increase in the number of females in estrus, higher number of fetuses implanted, and increase in proportion of juveniles.