3.2. Sex and age-related variations in habitat selection
Given the absence of interactions between different sexes and ages, subsequent analysis focused on univariate effects (Table S1). Compared to juveniles, adults showed a preference for higher trees (F = 0.183, P = 0.004) and sites more distant from water (Z = −2.276, P = 0.023). Compared to females, males showed a preference for higher tree positions (Z = −3.611, P = 0.000). Compared to adult females, adult males exhibited a preference for higher tree positions (Z = −2.216, P = 0.027, Figure 4A) and areas with lower light intensity (Z = −2.034, P = 0.042, Figure 4D) and moderate vegetation density (χ2 = 14.230, P =0.001, Table 2). In comparison to juvenile females, juvenile males showed a preference for higher tree positions (Z = −2.75,P = 0.006, Figure 4B), low rock formations (F = −2.17,P = 0.03, Figure 4E, Table S2), and shrub and forest habitats over herbaceous habitats (χ2 = 8.842, P = 0.031, Table 2, Table S2).
Compared to juvenile females, adult females exhibited a preference for higher tree positions (Z = −2.031, P = 0.042, Figure 4C) and sites more distant from water (F = −2.051, P = 0.040, Figure 4F). In comparison to juvenile males, adult males displayed a preference for elevated tree habitats (F = −2.002, P = 0.045, Figure 4I). Additionally, adults favored habitats with general or firm substrate status (χ2 = 15.082, P = 0.001, Table 2, Table S2).