Pellet-count sampling based on spatial distribution: a case study of the European hare in Patagonia

Abstract

Estimates of density arad habitat use based on fecal-pellet counts have been done in the past assuming a random distribution. We present data on European hares (Lepus capensis) in northwest Patagonia showing that the distribution pattern of their pellets fats ara aggregated, negative binomial model. We also estimated minimum sample sizes arad variances based on this model. Minimum sample sizes were larger and variances were smaller than those based on a random distribution model. We provide recommendations to improve the pellet-count and similar sampling methods when the spatial distribution of the individuals can be determined through a pilot study.