Fecal pellet counts as a technique for monitoring an alpine-dwelling social rodent, the hoary marmot (Marmota caligata)

• Main Authors: Hik, David S., Karels, Timothy J., Koppel, Lori
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research 2004
• Subjects: Alpine animals; Fecal pellets; Animal; Hoary marmot; Marmota caligata; Antarctic and Alpine Research; Arctic
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10211.2/2177; http://www.jstor.org/stable/1552302

We evaluated fecal pellet counts as an index of hoary marmot (Marmota caligata) social group size in order to develop a simple, inexpensive method for monitoring population change of a widely distributed, but poorly studied alpine mammal. Fecal pellet counts were conducted in three separate seasons along several 2 m 3 100 m transects located parallel to and 10, 20, and 30 m from the edge of alpine boulderfields (talus) occupied by marmots. Marmot activity and location relative to talus was also determined to assess the proportion of time spent foraging as a function of distance from refuge. Marmots spent 74% of their activities in meadows at a mean distance of 11.6 m from talus, and activity in meadows declined with increasing distance from talus, as did fecal pellet counts. Fecal counts at 10 m from the edge of talus were strongly and linearly related (r2 ?? 0.89) to marmot abundance. The functional equation of marmot abundance predicted marmot abundance in five independent social groups within 17% of the observed group size. Fecal pellet counts appear to provide a precise index of marmot group size suitable for long-term monitoring of population change.