Multi-scale habitat partitioning in sympatric suiforms

The native collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu) and the introduced feral pig (Sus scrofa) occur sympatrically in southern Texas. We examined habitat partitioning of these 2 species on the Chaparral Wildlife Management Area in southern Texas, from December 1993 through December 1995, at 3 scales of resource selection: seasonal home range, microhabitat, and temporal microhabitat. Seasonal habitat partitioning was observed at the home range level during and immediately subsequent to droughts. Microhabitat partitioning occurred in all seasons, regardless of precipitation. Temporal partitioning between species was observed in spring 1995. Partitioning of vegetation types at >1 level took place in 4 of 8 seasons. Multi-scale partitioning may provide additive, and possibly multiplicative. habitat partitioning between these species, and allow coexistence even during harsh environmental conditions such as droughts.