27 Miscel·i,3nia Zoológica 20,1 (1997) Habitat use by roe and red deer in Southern Spain

Habltat use by roe and red deer In Southern Spaln.- In order to analyse how altitude, cover, and botanlCal dlverslty may be Involved in the hab:tat preferences of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) ',n Southern Spaln, 44 plots In four linear transects were established In los Alcornocales ' Park (Cádlz). The results revealed a certam degree of spatial Interaction between the two specles in spring and summer Roe deer selected the lowest altitudes during the territorial period (March-August) and red deer selected the same low altitudes in spring and summer. This interactlon could be particularly important during the fawnlng season. Roe deer selected hlgh cover and high botanlcal dlverslty of tree stratum, whlch could be related to food hablts and to the ablllty of roe deer to produce multiple bllths