scholarly journals Use of stabilized thaw slumps by Arctic birds and mammals: evidence from Herschel Island, Yukon

2019 ◽  
Vol 132 (3) ◽  
pp. 279-284
Author(s):  
Heather A. Cray ◽  
Wayne H. Pollard
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Ovibos Moschatus ◽  
Different Ages ◽  
Charadrius Semipalmatus

As evidenced by animal sign (scat, active nests, nesting materials, rodent runways) observed across five stabilized retrogressive thaw slumps and two areas of undisturbed upland tundra, Arctic birds and mammals on Herschel Island, Canada, use stabilized thaw slumps differently than undisturbed tundra. Rodent winter nests and scat were found exclusively in undisturbed tundra and at a 250-year-old stabilized thaw slump site, whereas rodent runways and Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) nests were found exclusively at 10- and 20-year-old stabilized thaw slump sites. Bird scat was found in each tundra type, but was most common in the youngest sites, and the number of observations decreased with increasing site age. Caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) scat was found at all sites, whereas Muskox (Ovibos moschatus) scat was not found at 20-year-old sites and was most common in undisturbed tundra. To our knowledge, these observations are the first examples of birds and mammals using stabilized thaw slump habitat of different ages, and they provide new avenues of research for Arctic wildlife biologists concerned with the adaptation of these animals to permafrost disturbance and the resulting changes in vegetation cover.

РАДИОУГЛЕРОДНЫЕ ДАТИРОВКИ ПАЛЕОНТОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ ОБРАЗЦОВ ВЕРХНЕГО ПЛЕЙСТОЦЕНА НИЖНЕЙ ОБИ

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Zolnikov ◽  
◽  
A. Vybornov ◽  
A. Anoikin ◽  
A. Postnov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometer ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Western Siberia ◽  
Budker Institute ◽  
Mammuthus Primigenius ◽  
Upper Pleistocene ◽  
Ovibos Moschatus ◽  
The North

In the course of studies conducted by IAET SB RAS in the Lower Ob in 2016–2019, the understanding of the conditions for settlement of the Paleolithic population in the north of Western Siberia was significantly supplemented. Dating of a series of paleontological finds was carried out at the "Accelerated mass spectrometer of the Budker Institute of Nucle- ar Physics of SB RAS". The dates obtained show the distribution of the main representatives of the Upper Pleistocene fauna of Subarctica: Mammuthus primigenius – 50,000–15,000 BP, Coelodonta antiquitatis – 43,000–38,000 BP and 27,000–25,000 BP, Rangifer tarandus, Equus ferus – 40,000–10,000 BP, Bison sp. – 50,000–40,000 BP, Ovibos moschatus – 41,000–32,000 BP.

Is there a cost of parasites to caribou?

Parasitology ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 136 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. HUGHES ◽  
S. D. ALBON ◽  
R. J. IRVINE ◽  
S. WOODIN
Keyword(s):  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Parasite Species ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Apparent Competition ◽  
Range Shift ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Contributory Factor ◽  
Ovibos Moschatus ◽  
Winter Range ◽  
Nematode Parasites

SUMMARYMacroparasites potentially play a significant but often ignored role in the ecology and dynamics of wild ruminant populations. In the Arctic, parasites may impact on host populations by exacerbating the effects of seasonal and limited forage availability on the condition, fecundity and survival of individuals. We studied the effects of abomasal nematode parasites and warble flies, Hypoderma tarandi, on condition and pregnancy of caribou Rangifer tarandus in the Dolphin-Union herd, Nunavut, Canada. By the end of winter, female caribou over 2 years old showed a significant decrease in body weight with increasing nematode burden, and a decrease in back fat depth with increasing warble abundance. These effects were exaggerated in the non-pregnant fraction of the population. High warble larvae burdens were also associated with significantly reduced probability of being pregnant. Our research demonstrates a negative relationship between parasites and caribou condition that may have consequences for their fitness. Additionally, we discuss the possibility that muskox Ovibos moschatus share some parasite species with the caribou and could lead to elevated burdens in the sympatric host. Parasites may have been a contributory factor in a previous winter range-shift of the caribou herd and this may reflect a form of apparent competition between the two ungulate species.

scholarly journals The interplay of temperature and protons in the modulation of oxygen binding by squid blood

1992 ◽  
Vol 281 (3) ◽  
pp. 725-728 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Giardina ◽  
S G Condò ◽  
O Brix
Keyword(s):  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Strong Temperature Dependence ◽  
Oxygen Binding ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Ovibos Moschatus ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Loading And Unloading ◽  
Musk Ox ◽  
Oxygen Equilibrium Curve

An extensive set of data relating to the binding of oxygen by haemocyanin from the squid Todarodes sagittatus has been collected under various experimental conditions. The results obtained show that, within the range of physiological pH, the concentration of protons affects mainly the high-affinity state of the molecule without significantly affecting the low-affinity state. As far as the effect of temperature is concerned, the data show a characteristic feature which is very similar to that previously described in the case of haemoglobins from Arctic mammals such as reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) and musk ox. (Ovibos moschatus). The shape of the oxygen equilibrium curve shows strong temperature-dependence, since the overall heat of the binding of oxygen to the low-affinity state of the molecule is strongly exothermic and that to the high-affinity state is very close to zero. The results provide an outline of the intramolecular compromise that, through the interplay of temperature and protons, optimizes the loading and unloading of oxygen under the various environmental conditions experienced by this species of squid.

scholarly journals Comparison of seasonal habitat selection between threatened woodland caribou ecotypes in central British Columbia

Rangifer ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena S. Jones ◽  
Michael P. Gillingham ◽  
Dale R. Seip ◽  
Douglas C. Heard
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Rocky Mountains ◽  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Recovery Planning ◽  
Specific Mapping ◽  
Selection Of

Woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in British Columbia have been classified into ecotypes based on differences in use of habitat in winter. Although recovery planning focuses on ecotypes, habitat use and selection varies within ecotypes. Our objectives were to compare habitat use and selection among previously identified woodland caribou herds at the transition zone between northern (Moberly, Quintette, and Kennedy herds) and mountain (Parsnip herd) ecotypes in central British Columbia. We developed selection models for each herd in spring, calving, summer/fall, early and late winter. Topographic models best predicted selection by most herds in most seasons, but importance of vegetation-cover was highlighted by disproportionate use of specific vegetation-cover types by all caribou herds (e.g., in early winter, 75% of Kennedy locations were in pine-leading stands, 84% of Parsnip locations were in fir and fir-leading stands, and 87 and 96% of locations were in alpine for the Moberly and Quintette herds, respectively). Using a combination of GPS and VHF radio-collar locations, we documented some spatial overlap among herds within the year, but use of vegetation-cover types and selection of elevations, aspects, and vegetation-cover types differed among herds and within ecotypes in all seasons. Habitat use and selection were most similar between the two northern-ecotype herds residing on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains. This research indicates that habitat use and selection by caribou herds in all seasons is more variable than ecotype classifications suggest and demonstrates the value of undertaking herd-specific mapping of critical habitat for woodland caribou.

scholarly journals Range expansion of muskox lungworms track rapid arctic warming: implications for geographic colonization under climate forcing

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pratap Kafle ◽  
Peter Peller ◽  
Alessandro Massolo ◽  
Eric Hoberg ◽  
Lisa-Marie Leclerc ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Range Expansion ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Arctic Warming ◽  
Ovibos Moschatus ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽  
Thermal Requirements ◽  
Northern Edge

Abstract Rapid climate warming in the Arctic results in multifaceted disruption of biodiversity, faunal structure, and ecosystem health. Hypotheses have linked range expansion and emergence of parasites and diseases to accelerating warming globally but empirical studies demonstrating causality are rare. Using historical data and recent surveys as baselines, we explored climatological drivers for Arctic warming as determinants of range expansion for two temperature-dependent lungworms, Umingmakstrongylus pallikuukensis and Varestrongylus eleguneniensis, of muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) and caribou (Rangifer tarandus), in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago from 1980 through 2017. Our field data shows a substantial northward shift of the northern edge of the range for both parasites and increased abundance across the expanded ranges during the last decade. Mechanistic models parameterized with parasites’ thermal requirements demonstrated that geographical colonization tracked spatial expansion of permissive environments, with a temporal lag. Subtle differences in life histories, thermal requirements of closely related parasites, climate oscillations and shifting thermal balances across environments influence faunal assembly and biodiversity. Our findings support that persistence of host-parasite assemblages reflects capacities of parasites to utilize host and environmental resources in an ecological arena of fluctuating opportunity (alternating trends in exploration and exploitation) driving shifting boundaries for distribution across spatial and temporal scales.

scholarly journals Are arctic ungulates physiologically unique?

Rangifer ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 18 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 99 ◽  
Author(s):  
James M. Suttie ◽  
James R. Webster
Keyword(s):  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Physiological Parameters ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Ovibos Moschatus ◽  
Original Goal

Reindeer/caribou (Rangifer tarandus) and muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) are the arctic ungulates. Few studies have been carried out to directly compare their level of physiological uniqueness with similar species in the same family. The approach adopted in this review has been to compare data within family for physiological parameters including reproduction, nutrition and growth, to attempt to place the adaptations of reindeer/caribou and muskoxen in context. It is concluded that both species have unique adaptations to their environment which are likely to be specific to the Arctic. An hypothesis is advanced that some adaptations are constrained not only by the long intense winters, but also by the need to exploit the brief summers. The review has highlighted considerable gaps in understanding of some key physiological parameters for many species. This incompleteness in some ways mitigated the original goal of the project, but provisional conclusions are presented.

scholarly journals Status and trends of Rangifer tarandus and Ovibos moschatus populations in Canada

Rangifer ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A. D. Ferguson
Keyword(s):  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Baffin Island ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Ovibos Moschatus ◽  
Barren Ground ◽  
Historical Distribution ◽  
Long Term Trends ◽  
George River ◽  
Almost All

We identified 97 Rangifer tarandus and 17 Ovibos moschatus populations in Canada. In July 1991, the Canadian populations totalled 1.9 to 2.6 million caribou, 13 600 reindeer and 108 600 muskoxen. Seven barren-ground caribou populations contributed about 75% to Canada's total number of caribou. Most population trends of these barren-ground caribou had shiftet from increasing in the early 1980s to stable or decreasing in the late 1980s. The George River herd of Quebec and Labrador has been decreasing since 1987, but remains the largest Canadian caribou population. The ecological factors driving barren-ground caribou population dynamics are not well understood. Arctic islands caribou are about 17% of all Canadian caribou. Over 60% of Arctic islands caribou occurred on Baffin Island. Most Arctic islands populations were decreasing with the exceptions of Southampton, Bathurst, Victoria and Baffin islands. Movements within and between islands are not well understood, and probably limit the usefulness of small surveys for indicating long-term trends of Arctic islands caribou populations. Woodland caribou form about 7% of all Canadian caribou, with about 40% of these occurring on the island of Newfoundland. Most Canadian woodland caribou have not been well studied or censused. In many areas, they were faced with an increasing rate of habitat loss. Exceptions included: some eastern Yukon populations and most Newfoundland populations which were increasing. Over 70% of the Canadian muskox population occurred on Banks and Victoria islands. Almost all muskox populations were increasing, especially those on Banks, Victoria, Melville and Bathurst islands. Muskoxen on the mainland Northwest Territories are re-colonizing southern portions of their historical distribution.

Serendipitous discovery of a novel protostrongylid (Nematoda: Metastrongyloidea) in caribou, muskoxen, and moose from high latitudes of North America based on DNA sequence comparisons

2007 ◽  
Vol 85 (11) ◽  
pp. 1143-1156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan J. Kutz ◽  
Ingrid Asmundsson ◽  
Eric P. Hoberg ◽  
Greg D. Appleyard ◽  
Emily J. Jenkins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Novel Species ◽  
Alces Alces ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Nuclear Ribosomal Dna ◽  
Internal Transcribed Spacer Region ◽  
Sequence Comparisons ◽  
Ovibos Moschatus

Fecal samples are often the only feasible means to assess diversity of parasites in wildlife; however, definitive identification of egg or larval stages in feces by morphology is rarely possible. We determined partial sequences from the second internal transcribed spacer region (ITS-2) of nuclear ribosomal DNA for first-stage, dorsal-spined larvae (DSL) in feces from caribou ( Rangifer tarandus tarandus (L., 1758), Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin, 1788), Rangifer tarandus grantii (Allen, 1902)), muskoxen ( Ovibos moschatus moschatus (Zimmermann, 1780), Ovibos moschatus wardi Lydekker, 1900), moose ( Alces alces gigas Miller, 1899 and Alces alces andersoni Peterson, 1952), and from the tissue of one slug ( Deroceras laeve (Müller, 1774)) in Arctic–Subarctic North America. A previously uncharacterized, genetically distinct species was recognized based on sequences of 37 DSL from 19 ungulate hosts and the slug. Sequence similarity among individuals of this novel species was 91%–100%. For many individual DSL, paralogues of ITS-2 were detected. ITS-2 sequences from the novel species were 72%–77% similar to those of Varestrongylus alpenae (Dikmans, 1935) and 51%–61% similar to those of other protostrongylids known in North American and some Eurasian ungulates. Results indicate a discrete lineage of an undescribed protostrongylid infecting muskoxen, caribou, and moose from Alaska to Labrador. Sympatric infections with Parelaphostrongylus andersoni Prestwood, 1972 were found in three caribou herds.

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