Large-scale spatiotemporal variation in calf sex ratio in moose (Alces alces): an effect of density-dependent decrease in maternal condition?

2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 346-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Bjørneraas ◽  
E. J. Solberg ◽  
I. Herfindal ◽  
B.-E. Sæther

The harvest of Norwegian moose ( Alces alces (L., 1758)) is directed towards certain sex and age classes to maximize yield in terms of meat or number of animals. Observed side effects are declining numbers of calves per female and proportions of adult males, which may affect other demographic variables. Using long-term data, we examined whether spatiotemporal variation in the calf sex ratio was related to changes in (i) density of harvested moose, (ii) recruitment rate, and (or) (iii) the composition of the adult segment of the population. We found declining proportions of male calves in the autumn harvest over time associated with decreasing recruitment rates. Similarly, the proportion of male calves was lower when density of harvested moose was high. We suggest that the decrease in proportion of male calves was caused by increased prenatal or postnatal mortality rates of males, possibly owing to a density-dependent decline in maternal body condition. Proportion of male calves increased with the proportion of adult males in the population the previous year, indicating that low proportions of adult males may lead to lower male recruitment, particularly at high densities. Further declines in proportions of male calves recruited may be avoided by reducing the population density and changing the demographic composition of the harvest.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominique Fauteux ◽  
Gilles Gauthier

Abstract Deciphering the mechanism behind the lack of growth during the prolonged low abundance phase of cyclic populations represents a major challenge due to the lack of data. However, long-term capture-mark-recapture datasets can help resolve this question through demographic analyses. We analysed the demography and movements of cyclic brown lemmings on Bylot Island, Canada, with a 16-yr (2004-2019) live-trapping program and looked for inversely density-dependent factors that could contribute to a prolonged low phase. We found that the proportion of females in the population was inversely density-dependent with a strong male-biased sex ratio at low densities but not at high densities. In contrast, survival of adult females was higher than adult males, but both had lower survival at low densities than at high ones. Distances moved by both adult males and females were density-dependent, and proportion of females in reproductive condition was weakly density-dependent. Individual body condition, measured as monthly change in body mass, was not density-dependent. Overall, the strong malebiased sex ratio at very low densities suggests a loss of reproductive potential due to the rarity of females and appears to be the most susceptible demographic factor that could contribute to the prolonged low phase in cyclic brown lemmings. What leads to this sexbias in the first place is still unclear, but indirect evidence suggests that this may be due to a higher vulnerability of nesting females to predation in winter than males.



1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Elmberg

A population of individually marked adult Rana temporaria was studied during the breeding season in 1979–1988 in east-central Sweden. Annual return rate averaged 31% (range 16–51%) in males and 16% (range 5–33%) in females. Return rate was not size dependent but increased with every successful previous hibernation, indicating an increased survival rate with age. Return rate was not correlated with winter harshness. Once adult, males had on average 1.5 (maximum 6) seasons with the possibility of reproducing. Corresponding values for females were 1.4 and 4. Mean length of the breeding season was 20 (SD = 2) days. Calling generally started at water temperatures below 3 °C. The lowest spawning temperature was 1 °C. Average temperatures at spawning onset and peak spawning were 5 and 6 °C, respectively. Large males tended to arrive earlier at the pond than small males. Males arrived earlier and stayed longer than did females. The overall population sex ratio was close to unity. The operational sex ratio (OSR) varied during the breeding season, averaging 0.54 (one female to two males). No male was observed to mate more than once per season. I argue that survival selection is more important to male lifetime mating success than is competition in the breeding pond (sexual selection as affected by OSR and length of the breeding season).



1992 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Simpfendorfer

The biology of 835 specimens of Galeocerdo cuvier caught between 1964 and 1986 off Townsville, Australia, was examined. The sharks were caught in a protective meshing programme using both large mesh gill-nets and set lines. The size at birth was estimated to be 80-90 cm total length, and females matured at approximately 287 cm total length. Litter sizes ranged from 6 to 56. Breeding and pupping both appear to occur in summer, with females not breeding every year. Mature females possibly migrate inshore during late spring and summer to give birth. The sex ratio of juveniles and adults favoured females, with few adult males being caught. Ontogenic changes in the diet were observed, with juveniles feeding predominantly on teleosts, sea snakes and birds and adults mostly consuming teleosts, sea snakes, turtles and crabs. There was no apparent decrease in the population size of G. cuvier in the Townsville area as a result of the long-term catching of sharks by the protective meshing programme.



1994 ◽  
Vol 144 ◽  
pp. 29-33
Author(s):  
P. Ambrož

AbstractThe large-scale coronal structures observed during the sporadically visible solar eclipses were compared with the numerically extrapolated field-line structures of coronal magnetic field. A characteristic relationship between the observed structures of coronal plasma and the magnetic field line configurations was determined. The long-term evolution of large scale coronal structures inferred from photospheric magnetic observations in the course of 11- and 22-year solar cycles is described.Some known parameters, such as the source surface radius, or coronal rotation rate are discussed and actually interpreted. A relation between the large-scale photospheric magnetic field evolution and the coronal structure rearrangement is demonstrated.



Author(s):  
Linda S. Gottfredson ◽  
Joan M. Finucci ◽  
Barton Childs


1967 ◽  
Vol 06 (01) ◽  
pp. 8-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. F. Collen

The utilization of an automated multitest laboratory as a data acquisition center and of a computer for trie data processing and analysis permits large scale preventive medical research previously not feasible. Normal test values are easily generated for the particular population studied. Long-term epidemiological research on large numbers of persons becomes practical. It is our belief that the advent of automation and computers has introduced a new era of preventive medicine.



2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernt-Erik Sæther ◽  
Erling J. Solberg ◽  
Morten Heim ◽  
John E. Stacy ◽  
Kjetill S. Jakobsen ◽  
...  


2014 ◽  
pp. 124-129
Author(s):  
Z. V. Karamysheva

The review contains detailed description of the «Atlas of especially protected natural areas of Saint Petersburg» published in 2013. This publication presents the results of long-term studies of 12 natural protected areas made by a large research team in the years from 2002 to 2013 (see References). The Atlas contains a large number of the historical maps, new satellite images, the original illustrations, detailed texts on the nature of protected areas, summary tables of rare species of vascular plants, fungi and vertebrates recorded in these areas. Special attention is paid to the principles of thematic large-scale mapping. The landscape maps, the vegetation maps as well as the maps of natural processes in landscapes are included. Reviewed Atlas deserves the highest praise.



2000 ◽  
Vol 151 (3) ◽  
pp. 80-83
Author(s):  
Pascal Schneider ◽  
Jean-Pierre Sorg

In and around the state-owned forest of Farako in the region of Sikasso, Mali, a large-scale study focused on finding a compromise allowing the existential and legitimate needs of the population to be met and at the same time conserving the forest resources in the long term. The first step in research was to sketch out the rural socio-economic context and determine the needs for natural resources for autoconsumption and commercial use as well as the demand for non-material forest services. Simultaneously, the environmental context of the forest and the resources available were evaluated by means of inventories with regard to quality and quantity. According to an in-depth comparison between demand and potential, there is a differentiated view of the suitability of the forest to meet the needs of the people living nearby. Propositions for a multipurpose management of the forest were drawn up. This contribution deals with some basic elements of research methodology as well as with results of the study.



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