scholarly journals Estimating the daily dry matter intake of Svalbard reindeer in late winter

Rangifer ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Tyler
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
High Arctic ◽  
Energy Requirements ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Substantial Part ◽  
Svalbard Reindeer ◽  
Fat Reserves ◽  
Alternative Suggestion

Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) store large reserves of subcutaneous fat during summer and autumn which, it has been suggested, might be sufficient to meet a substantial part of their energy requirements during winter. An alternative suggestion, however, is that fat is not their main source of energy after all and, moreover, that the principal role of their fat reserves is for enhancing reproductive success rather than for substituting for forage (Tyler, in press). Is it realistic to suggest that these high arctic herbivores could meet the greater part of their energy requirements in winter by feeding, given that the aerial biomass of available forage in Svalbard in late winter is very low? This question was investigated by using a simple model to predict what rate of food intake Svalbard reindeer would have to achieve to maintain energy balance in late winter. The results were surprisingly low: pregnant and nonpregnant females could mett their daily energy demands by consuming 3.1 and 1.7 g dry matter per grazing minute, respectively. This supports the suggestion that Svalbard reindeer could live principally off forage in winter.

scholarly journals The relationship between the fat content of Svalbard reindeer in autumn and their death from starvation in winter

Rangifer ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 311 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. J.C. Tyler
Keyword(s):  
Simple Model ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Tooth Wear ◽  
Causal Link ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
Energy Requirements ◽  
Svalbard Reindeer ◽  
Fat Reserves ◽  
Specific Mortality ◽  
The Relationship

The relationship between body fat reserves in autumn and age-specific mortality in winter were examined in Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus Vrolik). Total dissectible fat (TDF) was measured in 17 females, 1-12 years of age, shot on Spitsbergen (78°N lat.) in autumn 1980-1981. TDF declined with age in reindeer 2 years and older. The youngest females which died in winter, with the exception of calves, were aged 7 years old. A direct causal link between low autumn TDF and mortality in winter seemed unlikely. Mortality was clearly associated with the degree of wear of molariform teeth. Perhaps severe tooth wear results in inefficient mastication of low quality forage and a decline in the rate of passage of digesta, thereby restricting the amount of food that reindeer can eat. A simple model of the energy balance of female Svalbard reindeer in winter shows that they must obtaine not less than about 74% of their total energy requirements from forage. Consequently, differences in the ability of individual reindeer to feed in winter are potentially more important for survival than differences in their fat content in autumn.

scholarly journals Biochemical indicators of condition, nutrition and nitrogen excretion in caribou

Rangifer ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ray Case
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Adult Female ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Nitrogen Excretion ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Marrow Fat ◽  
Urea Nitrogen ◽  
Biochemical Indicators ◽  
Fat Reserves ◽  
Nitrogen Concentrations

Urinary urea nitrogen to creatinine ratios, urinary Nt-methylhistidine to creatinine ratios, serum urea nitrogen concentrations (SUN mg/dl), and serum Nt-methylhistidine concentrations were compared with physical measures of body composition in adult female barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) from the Bathurst and Southampton Island herds during late winter. Body weight and UUC were used to estimate urinary urea nitrogen (urea-N) excretion in free ranging caribou. Only mean UUC reflected differences in fat reserves between populations. None of the biochemical indicators were directly related to body composition. However, elevated UUC were only observed in caribou with depleted fat reserves as demonstrated by low kidney fat index (KFK40) and/or reduced femur marrow fat (FMF<80). UUC greater than 0.25 were indicative of undernourished animals with depleted fat reserves. SUN and UN -MHC showed no clear relationship with fat reserves. The mean estimated daily urea-N excretion for adult female caribou in late winter was extremely low (0.11+0.01SE g urea-N/day, n=76, range=0.011-0.510). The results of my study suggest that UUC can be used to detect nutritionally stressed caribou with depleted fat reserves on lichen winter ranges.

Body condition in Svalbard reindeer and the use of blood parameters as indicators of condition and fitness

2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (9) ◽  
pp. 1566-1578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jos M Milner ◽  
Audun Stien ◽  
R Justin Irvine ◽  
Steve D Albon ◽  
Rolf Langvatn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Blood Parameters ◽  
Adult Survival ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Blood Parameter ◽  
Ecological Fitness ◽  
Svalbard Reindeer ◽  
Fat Thickness

Body condition is an important determinant of ecological fitness but is difficult to measure in field studies of live animals. Live mass and subcutaneous fat are often used as proxies for body condition and related to fitness. We investigated the relationship between blood-chemistry parameters and live mass and back-fat thickness and assessed their usefulness as predictors of ecological fitness in a wild arctic ungulate population, Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus). Female reindeer were sampled in late winter between 1995 and 2002 and concentrations of blood parameters were related to subsequent survival and successful calving. There was marked annual variation in all blood parameters, live mass, and back-fat thickness, reflecting variation in weather and food availability. At the individual level, variation in blood-parameter concentrations was not closely related to variation in live mass or back-fat thickness, instead reflecting shorter term nutritional status. Blood parameters could therefore provide useful additional information, enhancing the predictive power of fitness models based on live mass. The urea:creatinine ratio significantly improved adult survival models, while β-hydroxybutyric acid and creatinine concentrations were significant predictors of calving success. The applications for blood parameters in ecological investigations look promising and should be tested more widely in other field studies.

scholarly journals Digestion of energy and nutrients in Svalbard reindeer

Rangifer ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans Staaland ◽  
Nils A. Øritsland ◽  
Robert G. White
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Nutrient Balance ◽  
Pleurozium Schreberi ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Mixed Diet ◽  
Svalbard Reindeer ◽  
Feeding Trials ◽  
Cladonia Rangiferina

<p>Feeding trials with 5 male Svalbard reindeer, Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus Vrolik were conducted at the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Research Station in Adventdalen, Svalbard. Five different diets were used, 1: commercial reindeer food, (RF-71), 2: a mixture of locally harvested grasses and sedges (mainly Dupontia pelligera and Eriphorum scheusczeri), 3: a pure moss (Pleurozium scheberi) diet, 4: a lichen diet using the dominant Svalbard species Cetraria delisei, and 5: a mixed diet of RF-71, moss (P. schreberi) and lichens (mainly Cladonia alpestris and Cladonia rangiferina). When fed the RF-71 diet the digestibility by Svalbard and Norwegian reindeer were similar with respect to dry matter (DM) 75 v 74%) and crude protein (CP) 74 v 70% as were the availabilities of P (72 v 76% )a and Ca (18 v 36%) in the diet. The mixture of grasses and sedges was highly digestible with respect to DM ((66,5%) but had low availabilities of Ca (12%), Mg (10%) and P (-11%). DM digestibility of the lichen C delisei was low (33%) however this lichen could constitute a good source of Ca. Moss palatability was very low (174-252 g or 9-13g/kg 0 75 intake daily). DM, CP and energy digestibilities, respectively 48, 53 and 49%, and the availabilities of P (66%) and Ca (20%) were indicative that they could add to the energy and protein intake while contributing significantly to nutrient balance of Svalbard reindeer when present in a mixed diet.</p><p>Ford&oslash;yelse av energi og n&aelig;ringsstoffer hos Svalbard-rein.</p><p>Abstract in Norwegian / Sammendrag: Ved MAB-stasjonen i Adventdalen p&aring; Svalbard ble det utf&oslash;rt foringsfors&oslash;k med fem voksne bukker av Svalbardrein, Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus Vrolik. Det ble nyttet fem forskjellige forty per, 1: pelletert reinfor, RF71, 2: en blanding av gras og siv h&oslash;stet i Adventdalen (vesentlig Dupontia pelligera og Eriophorum scheuchzeri), 3: en ren mosediett (Pleurozium schreberi), 4: lav av den vanlige Svalbard -arten, Cetraria delisei, 5: en blandet diett av RF71, mose (P. schreberi) og lav (hovedsaklig Cladonia alpestris og Cladonia rangiferina). Ved foring med reinfor (RF71) ble det funnet samme t&oslash;rrstoff ford&oslash;yelighet hos Svalbardrein som tidligere rapportert fra norsk rein (75 versus 74%). Tilsvarende tall for r&aring;protein var 74 versus 70%, P 72 versus 76% og Ca 18 versus 36%. Blanding av gras og siv hadde en h&oslash;y t&oslash;rrstoff ford&oslash;y elighet p&aring; 66.5%, mens tilgjengeligheten av Ca (12%), Mg (10%) og P (-11%) var lav. T&oslash;rrstoff-ford&oslash;yeligheten var lav (33%) for C. delisei, men denne laven kan likevel v&aelig;re en god Ca-kilde. Smakeligheten av mose var lav (foropptak 174-252 g eller 9-13 g/kg0-75 per dag). Ford&oslash;y elighet av t&oslash;rrstoff, r&aring;protein og energi, respektive 48, 53 og 49% og tilgjengeligheten av P (66%) og Ca (20%) indikerer at moser kan v&aelig;re et signifikant tilskudd til mineralbalansen hos Svalbardrein som lever p&aring; en blandet diett.</p><p>Energian ja ravintoaineiden k&auml;ytt&ouml; huippu vuortenpeur alla.</p><p>Abstract in Finnish / Yhteenveto: MAB:n asemalla Adventdalenissa Svalbardilola tehtiin ruokintakokeita viidell&auml; huippuvuorten-peurauroksilla (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus Vrolik). Kokeessa k&auml;ytettiin viit&auml; eri ruokintaa, 1: pelle-toitu pororehu, RF 71, 2: hein&auml;an ja saran seosta (p&auml;&auml;asiassa Dupentia pelligera ja Eriophorum scheuchze-ri), 3: sammalta (Pleurozium schreberi), 4: Huippuvuorilla tavattavaa j&auml;k&auml;l&auml;lajia, Cetraria delisei, 5: poro-rehua (RF 71), sammalta (P. schreberi) ja j&auml;k&auml;l&auml;&auml; (p&auml;&auml;asiassa Cladonia alpestris ja Cladonia rangiferina). Ruokittaessa RF 71 - rehulla huippuvuortenpeuralla kuiva-aineen (DM) ja raaka proteenin (CP) sulavuudet olisivat samat kuin aikaisemmin norjalaisilla poroilla mitatut (74 ja 75%, 74 ja 70%). Fosforin ja kalsiu-min saannit olivat vastaavasti 72 ja 76% ja 18 ja 36%. Hein&auml;n ja saran seos oli hyvin sulavaa. Kuiva-aineen sulavuus oli 66,5%, mutta kalsiumin, magnesiumin ja fosforin saanit oli alhainen (12, 10 ja 11%) J&auml;k&auml;-l&auml;n (C delisei) kuiva-aineen sulavuus oli alhainen (33%), mutta se on hyv&auml; kalsiumin l&auml;hde. Sammalen sulavuus oli eritt&auml;in alhainen (saanti p&auml;ivitt&auml;in 174-252 g eli 9-13 g/kg0,75). Kuiva-aineen, raaka proteiinein ja energian sulavuudet (48, 53 ja 49%) ja fosforin (66%) ja kalsiumin (20%) saannit osoittavat kuitenkin, ett&auml; sammal voi lis&auml;t&auml; huippuvuortenpeuralla energian ja proteiinin saantia ja on siten merkitt&auml;v&auml; ravintota-sapainon kannalta.</p>

scholarly journals Influence of diet on the morphology of the ruminal papillae in reindeer calves (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.)

Rangifer ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terje D. Josefsen ◽  
Tove H. Aagnes ◽  
Svein D. Mathiesen
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Feeding Period ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sample Site ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Free Ranging

The influence of diet on the morphology of reindeer ruminal papillae was investigated in 4 groups of 3 free-ranging reindeer calves at different seasons, and in 11 groups of 3 reindeer calves fed experimental diets. Length, cross-sectional perimeter and density (number/cm2) of the ruminal papillae were measured in 4 sample sites in the rumen wall, and the ruminal surface enlargement factor (SEF) was calculated at each sample site. The range of group means were 2.3 to 3.4 mm for overall papillary length (mean of the four sample sites), 2.2 to 3.5 mm for overall cross-sectional perimeter, 85 to 189 papillae/cm2 for overall papillar density and 5.8 to 18.6 for overall SEF. Differences between sample sites wete observed, atrium ruminis having the highest and caudodorsal blind sac the lowest SEF (25% over and 24% below overall value, respectively). The differences between sample sites were considered to be small, indicating a homogenous ruminal content. The SEF of free-ranging animals showed a seasonal pattern, with high overall SEF (18.6) in September (late summer) and lower overall SEF {9.1) in April (late winter). Groups fed timothy silage with low content of cellulose (18.7% of dry matter) showed highest overall SEFs of the fed animals (17.8 and 13.9), while groups fed timothy silage with high content of cellulose (30.4%' of dry matter) showed lowest overall SEFs (5.8 and 7.0), indicating low ability to ferment silage with high content of cellulose. The SEF in animals fed experimental diets seemed partly to be influenced by SEF at the beginning of the feeding period.

Partial seasonal migration in high-arctic Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus)

2010 ◽  
Vol 88 (12) ◽  
pp. 1202-1209 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. B. Hansen ◽  
R. Aanes ◽  
B.-E. Sæther
Keyword(s):  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
High Arctic ◽  
Population Trend ◽  
Seasonal Migration ◽  
Migration Route ◽  
Free System ◽  
Svalbard Reindeer ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
The Rich

We examined seasonal range use and calving success in wild Svalbard reindeer ( Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus Vrolik, 1829) on two contrasting ranges separated by risky barriers (open sea, thin sea ice, and glaciers). One (“poor”) range had a depleted lichen resource and negative reindeer population trend, whereas the neighbouring (“rich”) range was recently occupied with initially high lichen abundance and positive population trend. Winter foraging conditions limit survival and reproduction in this predator-free system and lichens are the preferred winter food by reindeer. Accordingly, marked female reindeer that switched between the ranges (“migrants”) spent most winters on the lichen-rich range, yet most summers on the poor range (possibly owing to fidelity to calving area). While facing high mortality risk along the migration route, migrants spending the winter on the rich range and subsequent summer on the poor range had improved calving success compared with residents on the poor range. The partial seasonal migration pattern diminished as lichens were reduced and reindeer carrying capacity reached on the rich range. Besides this apparent density-dependence in migratory behaviour, spatial strategy seems shaped by past experience and trade-offs between current survival (safe habitat) and future reproduction (food-rich habitat).

scholarly journals Salivary glands in Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) and in Norwegian reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus)

Rangifer ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svein D. Mathiesen ◽  
V. B. Rædergård ◽  
M. A. Vader ◽  
Ø. E. Haga ◽  
H. J. Norberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Species Differences ◽  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Parotid Glands ◽  
Phenotypic Difference ◽  
Absolute Size ◽  
Svalbard Reindeer ◽  
The Mean

<p>The aim of this investigation was to compare the size of salivaty glands in Svalbard reindeer {Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) and in Norwegian reindeer (Rangifer t. tarandus) in relation to feeding strategy, season and reproductive status. The mean body mass (BM, standard deviation j) in adult non-lactating female Svalbard reindeer was 72.0, s = 4.2, kg (n = 8) in September and 46.7, s = 7.1, kg (&laquo; = 4) in April. The mean BM of adult non-lactating Norwegian reindeer was 67.5, s = 7.7, kg (&raquo; = 8) in September and 59.2, s = 9.6, kg (n = 9) in March. In non-lactating female Svalbard reindeer the mean combined mass of parotid glands was 82.7, s = 4.5, g in September and 58.8, s = 8.7, g in April (P &lt; 0.05). In the Norwegian reindeer the mean combined mass of the parotid glands was 95.2, s = 14.4, g in Septembet and 68.1, s = 9.5, g in Match (P &lt; 0.05). We wete not able to find any sub-species differences in the size of the salivaty glands which could be related to phenotypic difference in feeding strategy. Both sub-species had parotid glands sizes similar to that of intermediate ruminant types, ranging from 0.11-0.14% of BM. The larger absolute size of salivaty glands in summer compared to winter reflects the importance of high rates of production of saliva when the dry matter intake and microbial fermentation is high.</p>

Transferrin variation in caribou (Rangifer tarandus L.) on the Canadian Arctic islands

1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. H. Røed ◽  
H. Staaland ◽  
E. Broughton ◽  
D. C. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Distance ◽  
Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Canadian Arctic ◽  
High Arctic ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel ◽  
Common Allele ◽  
Island Populations ◽  
Svalbard Reindeer

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to analyse transferrin variation in caribou from the Canadian Arctic islands. Sixteen alleles were detected in Peary caribou (Rangifer tarandus pearyi). The most common allele was TfG2, which increased in frequency from 0.167 at the Boothia Peninsula to 0.236 in the Peel population and 0.340 in the Parry population. The presence of this allele, which is the most common allele in Svalbard reindeer (R. t. platyrhynchus) and not detected in Norwegian reindeer (R. t. tarandus), suggests a common origin for the Peary caribou and the Svalbard reindeer. The large genetic distance in the transferrin locus between continental and island populations suggests the isolation of a High Arctic population in a northern refugium during the Wisconsin glaciation.

Evaluating capture stress and its effects on reproductive success in Svalbard reindeer

2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. H. Omsjoe ◽  
A. Stien ◽  
J. Irvine ◽  
S. D. Albon ◽  
E. Dahl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Temperature ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Blood Chemistry ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Svalbard Reindeer ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
Capture Stress

Although many ecological studies of wild animal populations rely on capturing individuals at least once, few have investigated either the immediate stress responses of capture, restraint, and handling, or the longer term consequences on reproductive success. In this paper, we assume that the degree of stress increase with the time taken to capture and process an animal prior to release. The influence of time since onset of capture on body temperature and blood chemistry indicators of stress was investigated in 137 adult female Svalbard reindeer ( Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus Vrolik, 1829) and 63 calves of both sexes captured by net in late-winter 2004 and 2005. In addition, we looked for evidence of negative effects of capture stress on reproductive success in marked animals over the period from 1995 to 2006. Body temperature increased with both chase time and the time the animals were restrained. In the latter case, body temperature increased twice as fast in nonpregnant animals (0.13 °C/min) compared with pregnant animals. Cortisol, glutamate dehydrogenase, and γ-glutamyltransferase all increased with time from onset of capture. However, the relationship for glucose with time since onset of capture increased initially before declining again. We found no evidence of a lower calving success in animals captured the previous winter when compared with animals that had not been captured the previous winter. Likewise, there was no relationship between the strength of the acute stress response (measured as cortisol concentrations) and the probability of pregnant females having a calf at foot the subsequent summer.

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