[Activity zone and habitat characteristics of the coyote (Canis latrans) in Potosian Plateau] | Area de actividad y caracteristicas poblacionales del coyote (Canis latrans) en el Altiplano Potosino.

anglais. A study was conducted to estimate home range, density, reproductive status, sex ratios, age classes and morphologic characteristics of coyote (Canis latrans), in the "Guadalupe Ranch" in the Altiplano Potosino, Mexico. Home ranges was 11.97 km2. For males, home range averaged 11.57 km2, while for females was 12.57 km2. The minimum density was 0.26 coyotes/km2. The 34.5 of females were in proestrus (feb-march) 20.7 were in estrus (oct-nov and feb-march) and 44.8 in anestrus. The reproductive status of 7 males (feb, march, may) was determined by a reproductive coefficient, for adults it was between 3 and 6.8 for juveniles between 0.06 and 1.4. Sex ratio was favorable for females, 1:2. Age classes was 66.7 of adults, while 33.3 were juveniles. For body weight, shoulder height, total length and tail length, males were superior than females. Key words: Coyote, Canis latrans, home range, density, reproduction, morphology.

espagnol; castillan. Se estimo el area de actividad, densidad, estado reproductivo, estructura poblacional del coyote (Canis latrans) y sus caracteristicas morfologicas, en el rancho ganadero "Guadalupe" en el Altiplano Potosino. Se determino el area de actividad siendo para los machos de 11.57 km2 y para las hembras de 12.57 km2. La densidad minima fue de 0.26 coyotes/km2. Del estado reproductivo de las hembras se encontro el 34.5 en fase de proestro (feb.-mayo), 20.7 en estro (oct-nov y feb-mar) y 44.8 en anestro. El estado reproductivo de 7 machos (feb, marzo, mayo), se determino mediante un coeficiente reproductivo, el cual tuvo un valor para los adultos entre 3 y 6.8 y para juveniles entre 0.06 y 1.4. La proporcion de sexos (1:2) favorecio a las hembras. La estructura de edades favorecio a la clase adulta (66.7) y 33.3 juveniles. Las medidas corporales mostraron que los machos fueron mas grandes que las hembras en peso, altura a la cruz, largo total y largo de la cola. Palabras clave: Coyote, Canis latrans, area de actividad, densidad, reproduccion, morfologia.