Fig. 1

A map of the study area (20 km × 30 km) and the distribution of the Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta japonica) territories in the southern part of Japan’s northern Alps (36.25–36.5°N, 137.5–137.7°E). Gray lines show contours at intervals of 50 m. Thick yellow lines indicate the altitude of 2200 m, which is the lower limit of L. muta japonica habitat. Territories of L. muta japonica are shown in the red ellipses