Using body size to predict perceptual range

We examined the relationship between body size and perceptual range (the distance at which an animal can perceive landscape elements) for a group of forest-dwelling rodents. We used previously published data on orientation ability at various distances for three sciurid species (gray squirrel, fox sq...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Oikos 2002-07, Vol.98 (1), p.47-52
Main Authors: Mech, Stephen G., Zollner, Patrick A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal physiology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
ARDILLA
Autoecology
Biological and medical sciences
BODY MEASUREMENTS
Body size
ECUREUIL
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Habitat fragmentation
Landscape ecology
Landscapes
Mammalia
Mammals
MEDICION DEL CUERPO
MENSURATION CORPORELLE
METHODE STATISTIQUE
METODOS ESTADISTICOS
Mice
SQUIRRELS
STATISTICAL METHODS
Vertebrata
Voles
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Summary:We examined the relationship between body size and perceptual range (the distance at which an animal can perceive landscape elements) for a group of forest-dwelling rodents. We used previously published data on orientation ability at various distances for three sciurid species (gray squirrel, fox squirrel and chipmunk) and one murid species (white-footed mouse) to build a predictive model. We found a significant positive relationship between perceptual range and body mass. Although this model was built using a 15.5 m high horizon, we used this relation to predict the perceptual range of root voles (3.9-4.3 m) orienting towards a 0.5 m high horizon which was consistent with other empirical work suggesting a value of something less than 5 m. This model illustrates a relationship between perceptual range and body size and can be used to develop starting points for future investigations of perceptual range for similar organisms.
ISSN:0030-1299
1600-0706
DOI:10.1034/j.1600-0706.2002.980105.x