Travel in alpine terrain: energy expenditures for locomotion by mountain goats and bighorn sheep

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (10) ◽  
pp. 2368-2375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas V. Dailey ◽  
N. Thompson Hobbs
Keyword(s):  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Bighorn Sheep ◽  
Relative Increase ◽  
Ovis Canadensis ◽  
Energy Expenditures ◽  
Interspecific Differences ◽  
Mountain Goats ◽  
Cost Of Locomotion ◽  
Weight One ◽  
Snow Conditions

We used indirect calorimetry to measure energy expenditure for locomotion by three mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) and five bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) in response to variation in level of activity, slope of travel, and snow conditions. The energetic increment of standing over lying averaged 26% for the two species. We could detect no difference between species in the net cost of travel on level surfaces [Formula: see text]. Energy expended by bighorn sheep and mountain goats for lifting 1 kg of body weight one vertical metre on a 21.5° slope (ca. 37 J/(kg∙m)) exceeded the highest cost documented for quadrupeds. Energy expended walking down a 21.5° slope exceeded energy expenditure for horizontal locomotion, or was recovered inefficiently (ca. 25% recovery of potential energy). The relative increase in the net cost of locomotion in snow achieved an asymptote when sinking depth exceeded 1.2–2.0 times brisket height. The slope of the relative increase in the net cost of locomotion as a function of sinking depth/brisket height was lower for mountain goats than for any North American ungulate studied to date. Consequently, mountain goats were less efficient than other species when snow was shallow, but were more efficient when it was deep. We explain this result on the basis of interspecific differences in locomotory behavior and foot loading.

The effect of snow cover on the social behavior of bighorn rams and mountain goats

1973 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
pp. 987-993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald G. Petocz
Keyword(s):  
Social Behavior ◽  
Aggressive Behavior ◽  
Snow Cover ◽  
Ovis Canadensis ◽  
Behavior Patterns ◽  
Noticeable Effect ◽  
The Social ◽  
Mountain Goats ◽  
Snow Conditions ◽  
Favorable Weather

The social behavior of bighorn rams (Ovis canadensis canadensis) and mountain goats (Oreamons americanus) were studied quantitatively under different snow regimes in two winters. It was found that snow cover has little noticeable effect on the intensity of social behavior for mountain sheep during the rutting season. Thick snow cover reduces the total number of social behavior patterns per ram during the postrut; among mountain goats the number of social behavior patterns per individual remains consistently high. The thickness of the snow cover effects circumstantial changes in the function of specific behavior patterns among rams. Under extreme snow conditions, rams begin to exhibit rarely seen aggressive behavior. During deep snow, both species show an increase in overt aggressive behavior and a reduction in dominance displays. Under conditions of low snow and favorable weather rams increasingly engage in clashing, dominance displays, and appeasement behavior and reduce aggressive bulling.

Glutathione peroxidase activity and selenium levels in Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and mountain goats

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (10) ◽  
pp. 2493-2496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Samson ◽  
Jon T. Jorgenson ◽  
W. D. Wishart
Keyword(s):  
Glutathione Peroxidase ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Selenium Deficiency ◽  
Bighorn Sheep ◽  
Ovis Canadensis ◽  
Domestic Sheep ◽  
Oreamnos Americanus ◽  
Mountain Goats ◽  
Mountain Goat

Selenium levels and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity were determined in the blood of wild and captive herds of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), as well as in one wild mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) herd. No significant relationship was established between blood selenium and GSH-Px activity for individual herds of bighorns, but when all herds were pooled, selenium was significantly (P < 0.01) correlated with GSH-Px. The hypothesis that bighorn sheep would exhibit higher GSH-Px activity per unit of blood selenium than domestic cattle was not supported. One bighorn population had blood selenium levels below those considered deficient in domestic sheep, yet exhibited no clinical signs of selenium deficiency. A blood selenium by GSH-Px relationship did not exist for the single mountain goat herd sampled. The seven blood samples collected from mountain goats did not differ from those from bighorn sheep in their GSH-Px activity relative to blood selenium levels.

scholarly journals Brucellosis in Captive Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis) Caused by Brucella abortus Biovar 4

2004 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 311-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry J. Kreeger ◽  
Walter E. Cook ◽  
William H. Edwards ◽  
Todd Cornish
Keyword(s):  
Brucella Abortus ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Bighorn Sheep ◽  
Ovis Canadensis

Measurement of ‘Basal’ and Total Metabolism in Hereditarily Obese-Hyperglycemic Mice

1958 ◽  
Vol 193 (3) ◽  
pp. 495-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth McClintock ◽  
Nathan Lifson
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Voluntary Movement ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Production ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Energy Output ◽  
Obese Mice ◽  
Energy Expenditures ◽  
Isotope Method

Measurements of oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production were made by the Haldane open circuit method on hereditarily obese mice and littermate controls, and the energy expenditures were estimated. Studies were made on mice for short periods under ‘basal’ conditions, and for periods of approximately a day with the mice fasted and confined, fasted and relatively unconfined, and fed and unconfined. The total energy expenditures of fed and unconfined obese mice were found to be higher than those of nonobese littermate controls by virtue of a) increased ‘basal metabolism’, b) greater energy expenditure associated with feeding, and possibly c) larger energy output for activity despite reduced voluntary movement. The values obtained for total metabolism confirm those previously determined by an isotope method for measuring CO2 output.

scholarly journals Desert Bighorn Sheep: Changes in Genetic Variation Over Time and the Impact of Merging Populations

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip W. Hedrick ◽  
John D. Wehausen
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
New Mexico ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Bighorn Sheep ◽  
Ovis Canadensis ◽  
Mexican Population ◽  
Desert Bighorn Sheep ◽  
Two Generations ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Founder effects, genetic bottlenecks, and genetic drift in general can lead to low levels of genetic diversity, which can influence the persistence of populations. We examine genetic variation in two populations of desert bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis from New Mexico and Mexico to measure change over time and evaluate the impact of introducing individuals from one population into the other. Over about three generations, the amount of genetic variation in the New Mexico population increased. In contrast, over about two generations the amount of genetic variation in the Mexican population decreased by a great extent compared with an estimate from another Mexican population from which it is primarily descended. The potential reasons for these changes are discussed. In addition, although both populations have low genetic variation, introduction of Mexican rams into the New Mexico population might increase the amount of genetic variation in the New Mexico population. Overall, it appears that management to increase genetic variation might require substantial detailed monitoring and evaluation of ancestry from the different sources and fitness components.

Factors influencing heart rate in free-ranging bighorn sheep: a physiological approach to the study of wildlife harassment

1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (10) ◽  
pp. 2010-2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. MacArthur ◽  
Ronald H. Johnston ◽  
Valerius Geist
Keyword(s):  
Bighorn Sheep ◽  
Ovis Canadensis ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Base Line ◽  
Vehicular Traffic ◽  
Behavioral Reactions ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Close Range ◽  
Physiological Approach ◽  
Free Ranging

The telemetered heart rates (HR) of unrestrained female bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis) were recorded under various behavioral and environmental circumstances. In all ewes HR varied positively with activity level and inversely with distance to a road traversing the study area. The HR recorded from animals moving at night or through timber by day were higher than during daytime movement across open slopes.Responses to transient stimuli varied greatly. The appearance of free-ranging canids evoked maximal increases in HR in all ewes. Vehicular traffic and aircraft elicited HR responses only at close range (< 200 m). Most (78.1%) HR responses to disturbing stimuli preceded or occurred in the absence of overt behavioral reactions. The HR usually peaked within 60 s of the onset of the response and recovered to predisturbance base line in less than 200 s. The appearance and continued presence (1–10 min) of a human within 50 m of the sheep resulted in a 20% rise in mean HR. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the behavior, ecology, and bioenergetics of bighorn sheep.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document