In polytypic species, where distinct variants occur in separate populations, few studies to date have quantified intraspecific differences in habitat selection. This can inform us about habitat requirements across different areas and populations, with implications for conservation, and can increase our understanding of the selective pressures acting upon different populations. Here, we investigated differences in habitat selection across six populations of the dyeing poison frog (Dendrobates tinctorius), which are characterized by great phenotypic variation among them, especially in terms of warning coloration, body size, and sexual size dimorphism. We hypothesized that habitat selection differs (1) among populations containing different variants, predicting that frogs in larger-bodied populations are less dependent on structures that retain moisture; (2) among disturbed and pristine areas, predicting frogs in disturbed areas being more reliant on structural diversity and water bodies; and (3) between males and females, predicting stronger differences in habitat selection in populations with greater sexual size dimorphism. We found little support for these hypotheses, with habitat selection being broadly similar among populations. Frogs generally selected for proximity to tree falls, dead woody material (such as fallen/rotting branches, fallen palm bracts, etc.), presence of water pools (phytotelmata and other small bodies of water), and avoided areas with extensive ground vegetation and little canopy cover. We found limited evidence for fine-scale differences in habitat selection between sexes, with males showing a comparatively stronger selection for proximity to water pools and females stronger selection for tree falls. More generally, our results suggest that in polytypic and aposematic species, habitat selection might be less influenced by intersexual niche partitioning and predation risk, and more by resource availability. Our findings provide important baseline data regarding the habitat selection and requirements of this emblematic species, which can be relevant for efficient conservation measures in the future.

Efficient wildlife management requires precise monitoring methods, e.g., to estimate population density, reproductive success, and survival. Here, we compared the efficiency of drone and ground approaches to detect and monitor GPS-collared female moose (Alces alces) and their calves. Moreover, we quantified how drone (n = 42) and ground (n = 41) approaches affected moose behavior and space use (n = 24 individuals). The average time used for drone approaches was 17 minutes compared to 97 minutes for ground approaches, with drone detection rate being higher (95% of adult female moose and 88% of moose calves) compared to ground approaches (78% of adult females and 82% of calves). Drone detection success increased at lower drone altitudes (50-70 m). Adult female moose left the site in 35% of drone approaches (with > 40% of those moose becoming disturbed once the drone hovered < 50 m above ground) compared to 56% of ground approaches. We failed to find short-term effects (3-h after approaches) of drone approaches on moose space use, but moose moved > 4-fold greater distances and used larger areas after ground approaches. Similarly, longer-term (24-h before and after approaches) space use did not differ between drone approaches compared to days without known disturbance, but moose moved comparatively greater distances during days of ground approaches. In conclusion, we could show that drone approaches were highly efficient to detect adult moose and their calves in the boreal forest, being faster and less disturbing than ground approaches, potentially making them a useful tool to monitor and study wildlife.