Niche relationships within a guild of ungulate species in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, following release from artificial controls

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (8) ◽  
pp. 1383-1394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis J. Singer ◽  
Jack E. Norland
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
Mule Deer ◽  
Bighorn Sheep ◽  
Ovis Canadensis ◽  
Bison Bison ◽  
Exclusion Principle ◽  
Antilocapra Americana ◽  
Artemisia Frigida ◽  
Niche Relationships

Niche relationships and diet overlaps were compared among elk (Cervus elaphus), bison (Bison bison), bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana) between 1967–1970 and 1986–1988, a period when total ungulate numbers nearly tripled on Yellowstone's northern range. Ungulate species ratios on Yellowstone's northern winter range during the latter period were 100 elk : 10 mule deer : 3 bison : 2 pronghorns : 1 bighorns. Elk numbers were positively correlated to bison, mule deer, and pronghorn numbers (r2 = 0.76, 0.97, and 0.48, respectively, P < 0.01). Few other changes in habitat use or habitat overlap occurred, and diets for only 2 of the 10 species pairs, elk-bighorn (Spearman's rank order coefficient (RHO) = 0.55, P < 0.05) and mule deer – pronghorn (RHO = 0.64, P < 0.05), were significantly associated with each other. Bison consumed more grass and fewer sedges, mule deer more fringed sage (Artemisia frigida) and more rabbit-brush (Chrysothamnus spp.), and bighorn sheep more grasses and fewer sedges, while pronghorns ate less saltsage (Atriplex nuttalli) but more big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) during 1986–1988 than during 1967–1970. Bison expanded their range and bison and bighorn sheep used a wider variety of habitats. We found little evidence of change in competitive interactions between ungulate species. A few diet and habitat overlaps increased, the opposite of the prediction from the competitive exclusion principle amongst species, suggesting that intraspecific competition was more important. Several explanations are proposed for the lack of changes in niche relationships during a period of near tripling in density of the ungulate guild.

Threat of predation: do ungulates behave aggressively towards different members of a coyote pack?

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 499-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric M Gese
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Aggressive Behavior ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Yellowstone National Park ◽  
National Park ◽  
Bison Bison ◽  
Antilocapra Americana ◽  
Wild Canids ◽  
Pronghorn Antelope ◽  
Large Groups

Wild ungulates have evolved a variety of antipredator strategies to deter or escape predation by carnivores. Among wild canids, the dominant pair of a pack often initiates attacks upon prey. Previous observations in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, showed that the alpha pair in a coyote (Canis latrans) pack most often leads attacks on ungulates during winter. We were interested in determining whether ungulates can distinguish (perhaps by body size or posture) which members of a coyote pack are the alpha individuals, and whether they initiate and direct aggressive behavior towards those members of the pack that pose the greatest threat of predation to themselves and (or) their offspring. During 2507 h of behavioral observations on 54 coyotes between January 1991 and June 1993, we observed 51 interactions between coyotes and adult elk (Cervus elaphus), bison (Bison bison), and pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana) in Yellowstone National Park. The interactions analyzed here are those in which the ungulate appeared to initiate aggressive behavior towards the coyote(s) and were not a response to an attack by the predators. We found that aggression by ungulates towards coyotes was highest during the summer months, when calves and fawns were present; female ungulates were more frequently aggressive than males. The frequency of aggression of adult ungulates towards small and large groups of coyotes was equal to the frequency of occurrence of these groups. Ungulates directed aggressive behavior more frequently towards alpha coyotes and were less aggressive towards beta coyotes and pups. Large ungulates, particularly elk and bison, appeared to perceive that alpha coyotes posed a greater threat to themselves and their offspring. The smaller ungulate, the pronghorn antelope, directed aggressive behavior equally towards all coyotes. Adult ungulates were probably responding to the larger body size of the alpha coyotes and the tendency of alpha coyotes to travel at the front of the pack.

scholarly journals Pathology of Spontaneous and Experimental Infection of North American Wild Ruminants with Mycobacterium paratuberculosis

1983 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 274-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. S. Williams ◽  
S. P. Snyder ◽  
K. L. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Lymph Nodes ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Mule Deer ◽  
Bighorn Sheep ◽  
Domestic Sheep ◽  
Mycobacterium Paratuberculosis ◽  
Mesenteric Lymph Nodes ◽  
Poor Growth ◽  
Distal Small Intestine ◽  
Mesenteric Lymph

Spontaneous paratuberculosis was studied in free-ranging and captive bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis), and Rocky Mountain goats ( Oreamnos americanus). Lesions of paratuberculosis in these species resembled the disease in domestic sheep and goats. Mycobacterium paratuberculosis cultured from bighorn sheep was used to orally infect bighorn x mouflon ( Ovis musimon) hybrid sheep, elk ( Cervus elaphus nelsoni), mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus), and white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus), Clinical paratuberculosis developed only in mule deer and was characterized by poor growth and diarrhea. Gross lesions were mild in all species. Enlargement of mesenteric lymph nodes was mild to moderate; the wall of the distal small intestine was affected minimally. Focal to diffuse infiltrates of epithelioid macrophages and giant cells occurred in the cortex of mesenteric lymph nodes, around mesenteric lymphatics, and in the intestinal mucosa. Extraintestinal lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and lung were involved in some animals; focal necrosis and mineralization was present in all species but was severe and widespread in the ceervids.

Gastropod intermediate hosts of lungworms (Nematoda: Protostrongylidae) on a bighorn sheep winter range: aspects of transmission

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (9) ◽  
pp. 1976-1982 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Robb ◽  
W. M. Samuel
Keyword(s):  
Mule Deer ◽  
Bighorn Sheep ◽  
Ovis Canadensis ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Gastropod Species ◽  
Winter Range ◽  
Infective Larvae ◽  
Third Stage ◽  
Inherent Problem

A study of the gastropod intermediate hosts of the lungworms Protostrongylus stilesi and Protostrongylus rushi was conducted on a bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis) winter range in southwestern Alberta, 1984–1985. Over 7000 gastropods were examined. Seven gastropod species were infected with Protostrongylus-type larvae: the predominant intermediate hosts were Euconulus fulvus (6.8% infected), Vertigo gouldi (5.6%), and Vertigo modesta (3.2%). Prevalence of third-stage (infective) larvae was highest in September and April, coinciding with use of the winter range by bighorn sheep. An index of lungworm availability to sheep was highest in autumn in the margins of aspen copses and in spring in the grassy openings. Copses were used extensively by sheep in autumn, and open areas were used in the spring. Presence of a mule deer (Odocoileus h. hemionus) lungworm, Orthostrongylus macrotis, was an inherent problem.

scholarly journals Effects of Domestic Livestock and Wildlife Grazing in Grand Teton National Park

1990 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 103-104
Author(s):  
Michael Smith ◽  
Jerrold Dodd
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
National Park ◽  
Odocoileus Hemionus ◽  
Bison Bison ◽  
Antilocapra Americana ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
Jackson Hole ◽  
Domestic Livestock ◽  
Wildlife Populations ◽  
Park Area

The Snake River plains and foothill areas of Jackson Hole have been grazed by domestic livestock since settlement of the area. Wildlife populations, including elk (Cervus elaphus), buffalo (Bison bison), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and antelope (Antilocapra americana) have historically used the area. Moose (Alces alces) are currently relatively abundant. Currently, livestock continue to use part of the area contained in Grand Teton National Park either as a concession or due to authorization by Park enabling legislation. Large grazing wildlife also inhabit the Park area. Park managers need information concerning the effects of grazing by large ungulates on vegetation resources, to achieve desired plant community goals by effectively managing grazing.

SEROPREVALENCE OF TWO BABESIA SPP. ISOLATES IN SELECTED BIGHORN SHEEP (OVIS CANADENSIS) AND MULE DEER (ODOCOILEUS HEMIONUS) POPULATIONS IN CALIFORNIA

1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 467-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne M. Kjemtrup ◽  
John W. Thomford ◽  
Ian A. Gardner ◽  
Patricia A. Conrad ◽  
David A. Jessup ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mule Deer ◽  
Odocoileus Hemionus ◽  
Bighorn Sheep ◽  
Ovis Canadensis ◽  
Babesia Spp

scholarly journals Declines of Bighorn Sheep, Ovis canadensis, on Deteriorating Winter Range in Jasper National Park, Alberta, 1981-2010

2009 ◽  
Vol 123 (2) ◽  
pp. 157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dick Dekker
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
National Park ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Bighorn Sheep ◽  
Ovis Canadensis ◽  
Athabasca River ◽  
Jasper National Park ◽  
Winter Range ◽  
Salsola Kali ◽  
Average Annual Precipitation

Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis) wintering in the lower Athabasca River valley of Jasper National Park, Alberta, were monitored from 1981 to 2010 by recording maximum band sizes per annum on two traditional but separate sheep ranges. In study area #1, the ram band declined significantly from a 20-year mean of 18 in the period 1981-2001 to a 5-year mean of 11 in the period 2001-2006, with a slight recovery in 2006-2010. Ewes in area #1 dwindled from a mean of 20 in the period 1981-1995 to zero in the period 1995-2010. In area #2, the ewe band dropped significantly from a mean of 40 in the period 1981-2001 to 24 in the period 2001-2010. The declines in area #1 coincided with an invasion of Russian Thistle (Salsola kali). Range conditions in area #2 deteriorated following four years with lower than average annual precipitation. The mean lamb:ewe ratio in area #2, pooled for 29 years, was 22:100 (n = 646). The sheep were protected from hunting, but were subject to a full range of indigenous carnivores. However, predation did not appear to be the primary cause of the declines, nor was competition for forage with American Elk (Cervus elaphus).

Skull ontogeny of the pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) in the comparative context of native North American ungulates

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
pp. 165-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.R. Moyano ◽  
M.M. Morales ◽  
N.P. Giannini
Keyword(s):  
Odocoileus Virginianus ◽  
North American ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Ovis Canadensis ◽  
Bison Bison ◽  
Postnatal Ontogeny ◽  
Antilocapra Americana ◽  
Native North American ◽  
Cranial Measurements ◽  
Ontogenetic Trajectory

The pronghorn (Antilocapra americana (Ord, 1815)) is the single survivor of a largely extinct, isolated pecoran lineage (Antilocapridae) native to North America. We describe postnatal ontogeny of its skull in a comparative framework inclusive of representatives of other typical North American ungulate linages, all of which partially overlap in geographic distribution and share habitat with A. americana. To describe allometric growth, we took 23 linear cranial measurements in 30 specimens of A. americana and applied bi- and multi-variate statistics. The skull of A. americana generally grew with negative rates in width and height dimensions, and with positive rates in length, including an elongation of rostrum, particularly the nasals, and a relative narrowing of the braincase. We compared skull development in A. americana with development in two cervids (white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann, 1780)) and wapiti (Cervus canadensis Erxleben, 1777)) and two bovids (bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis Shaw, 1804) and American bison (Bison bison (Linnaeus, 1758))). The multivariate ontogenetic trajectory of A. americana overlapped greatly with that of Odocoileus virginianus, and differed from the other species in varying degrees. These results indicated an essentially convergent pattern of skull growth with species showing important functional similarities, such as cervids of comparable size and feeding habits.

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