ABOMASAL NEMATODES OF THE SVALBARD REINDEER (RANGIFER TARANDUS PLATYRHYNCHUS VROLIK)

AbstractA new non-invasive method based on picture analysis was used to estimate the conditions in Svalbard reindeer populations. The well-being of an individual subject is often expressed through visual indices. Two distinct reindeer populations were compared based on their antler parameters. Relative antler size and number of tines are variables supposed to reflect correspondingly the environmental conditions of sedentary populations within the growing season. The occurrence areas of two studied populations are distinctly isolated – separated with high mountain ridges, glaciers and fjords. The population in Petuniabukta occupies a sparsely vegetated region with harsh climatic conditions, whereas Skansbukta represents an area with continuous tundra vegetation cover, milder climatic conditions and, consequently, also a longer vegetation season. These environmental factors probably caused significant differences in the relative antler size and number of tines in the studied species. The Skansbukta population exhibited a larger relative antler size and higher number of tines than the population in Petuniabukta (both parameters differed significantly, p < 0.01). This difference reflects concisely the different environmental conditions of both locations. A comparison of Skansbukta population antler characteristics between years 2017 and 2018 did not reveal significant changes, most probably due to very similar atmospheric conditions in these two years (in terms of air temperature).

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Energy expenditure of free-living reindeer estimated by the doubly labelled water method

Rangifer ◽

10.7557/2.20.4.1516 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 20 (2-3) ◽

pp. 211 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Geir Gotaas ◽

Eric Milne ◽

Paul Haggarty ◽

Nicholas J.C. Tyler

Keyword(s):

Energy Expenditure ◽

Rangifer Tarandus ◽

Water Flux ◽

Co2 Production ◽

Wild Ungulates ◽

Free Living ◽

Doubly Labelled Water ◽

Svalbard Reindeer ◽

Mountain Pasture ◽

The Mean

The doubly labelled water (DLW) method was used to measure total energy expenditure (TEE) in three male reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) aged 22 months in winter (February) while the animals were living unrestricted at natural mountain pasture in northern Norway (69°20'N). The concentrations of 2H and l8O were measured in water extracted from samples of faeces collecred from the animals 0.4 and 11.2 days after injection of the isotopes. Calculated rates of water flux and CO2-production were adjusted to compensate for estimated losses of 2H in faecal solids and in methane produced by microbial fermentation of forage in the rumen. The mean specific TEE in the three animals was 3.057 W.kg-1 (range 2.436 - 3.728 W.kg1). This value is 64% higher than TEE measured by the DLW method in four captive, non-pregnant adult female reindeer in winter and probably mainly reflects higher levels of locomotor activity in the free-living animals. Previous estimates of TEE in free-living Rangifer in winter based on factorial models range from 3.038 W.kg-1 in female woodland caribou (R. t. caribou) to 1.813 W.kg-1 in female Svalbard reindeer (R. t. platyrhynchus). Thus, it seems that existing factorial models are unlikely to overestimate TEE in reindeer/caribou: they may, instead, be unduly conservative. While the present study serves as a general validation of the factorial approach, we suggest that the route to progress in the understanding of field energetics in wild ungulates is via application of the DLW method.

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Co-feeding between Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperborea) and Svalbard Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus)

ARCTIC ◽

10.14430/arctic364 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 59 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Å.O. Pedersen ◽

M. Lier ◽

H. Routti ◽

H.H. Christiansen ◽

E. Fuglei

Keyword(s):

Rangifer Tarandus ◽

Rock Ptarmigan ◽

Svalbard Reindeer ◽

Lagopus Muta

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Use of Length Heterogeneity Polymerase Chain Reaction (LH-PCR) as Non-Invasive Approach for Dietary Analysis of Svalbard Reindeer, Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0091552 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. e91552 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Sungbae Joo ◽

Donguk Han ◽

Eun Ju Lee ◽

Sangkyu Park

Keyword(s):

Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Rangifer Tarandus ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Dietary Analysis ◽

Invasive Approach ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Svalbard Reindeer ◽

Polymerase Chain

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Comparison of the genetic variation in Svalbard and Norwegian reindeer

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z85-300 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 63 (9) ◽

pp. 2038-2042 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

K. H. Røed

Keyword(s):

Genetic Variation ◽

Rangifer Tarandus ◽

Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽

Divergence Time ◽

Recent Time ◽

Evolutionary Divergence ◽

Average Heterozygosity ◽

Polymorphic Loci ◽

Svalbard Reindeer ◽

Long Time

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to score for genetic variation in 35 loci in Svalbard reindeer, Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus, and in reindeer, Rangifer tarandus tarandus, from two localities in northern Norway. In R. t. platyrhynchus the proportion of polymorphic loci was 0.114 and the average heterozygosite was 0.030. In R. t. tarandus the proportion of polymorphic loci was 0.171–0.286 and the average heterozygosity was 0.043–0.045. Excluding the variability in the locus coding for transferrin from calculations reduced the average heterozygosity to 0.020 in R. t. platyrhynchus and to 0.021–0.025 in R. t. tarandus, suggesting that the amount of genetic variation in R. t. platyrhynchus is not very different from that in R. t. tarandus. Unique alleles in the loci coding for transferrin and acid phosphatase for the two subspecies indicate that there has been no interbreeding in recent time. The genetic distance between the two subspecies is within the same range as between subspecies of other organisms. Evolutionary divergence time based on the protein data indicates that either the divergence between these subspecies was initiated a very long time ago or R. t. platyrhynchus originates from other subspecies of reindeer.

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Digestion of energy and nutrients in Svalbard reindeer

Rangifer ◽

10.7557/2.8.1.725 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 2 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

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

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.Fordøyelse av energi og næringsstoffer hos Svalbard-rein.Abstract in Norwegian / Sammendrag: Ved MAB-stasjonen i Adventdalen på Svalbard ble det utført foringsforsøk 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 høstet 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 tørrstoff fordøyelighet hos Svalbardrein som tidligere rapportert fra norsk rein (75 versus 74%). Tilsvarende tall for råprotein var 74 versus 70%, P 72 versus 76% og Ca 18 versus 36%. Blanding av gras og siv hadde en høy tørrstoff fordøy elighet på 66.5%, mens tilgjengeligheten av Ca (12%), Mg (10%) og P (-11%) var lav. Tørrstoff-fordøyeligheten var lav (33%) for C. delisei, men denne laven kan likevel være en god Ca-kilde. Smakeligheten av mose var lav (foropptak 174-252 g eller 9-13 g/kg0-75 per dag). Fordøy elighet av tørrstoff, råprotein og energi, respektive 48, 53 og 49% og tilgjengeligheten av P (66%) og Ca (20%) indikerer at moser kan være et signifikant tilskudd til mineralbalansen hos Svalbardrein som lever på en blandet diett.Energian ja ravintoaineiden käyttö huippu vuortenpeur alla.Abstract in Finnish / Yhteenveto: MAB:n asemalla Adventdalenissa Svalbardilola tehtiin ruokintakokeita viidellä huippuvuorten-peurauroksilla (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus Vrolik). Kokeessa käytettiin viitä eri ruokintaa, 1: pelle-toitu pororehu, RF 71, 2: heinäan ja saran seosta (pääasiassa Dupentia pelligera ja Eriophorum scheuchze-ri), 3: sammalta (Pleurozium schreberi), 4: Huippuvuorilla tavattavaa jäkälälajia, Cetraria delisei, 5: poro-rehua (RF 71), sammalta (P. schreberi) ja jäkälää (pääasiassa 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%. Heinän ja saran seos oli hyvin sulavaa. Kuiva-aineen sulavuus oli 66,5%, mutta kalsiumin, magnesiumin ja fosforin saanit oli alhainen (12, 10 ja 11%) Jäkä-län (C delisei) kuiva-aineen sulavuus oli alhainen (33%), mutta se on hyvä kalsiumin lähde. Sammalen sulavuus oli erittäin alhainen (saanti päivittäin 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, että sammal voi lisätä huippuvuortenpeuralla energian ja proteiinin saantia ja on siten merkittävä ravintota-sapainon kannalta.

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Seasonal variations and responses to normal activity of the deep body temperature in the Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus)

Rangifer ◽

10.7557/2.6.2.586 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 81 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

L. Christine Cuyler ◽

Nils A. Øritsland

Keyword(s):

Body Temperature ◽

Seasonal Variations ◽

Rangifer Tarandus ◽

Normal Activity ◽

Telemetry System ◽

Deep Body Temperature ◽

Svalbard Reindeer ◽

Naturally Occurring ◽

Deep Body ◽

Lying Down

Deep body temperature was recorded in two female Svalbard reindeer during summer and winter. The reindeer were subjected to naturally occurring weather, photoperiod and stimuli in outdoor pens on Svalbard. A telemetry system was employed using transmitters ingested into the rumen. Mean deep body temperature was 0.3°C higher in winter and while the animals were lying down. This suggests a different strategy for thermoregulation than that employed by other reindeer subspecies.

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Reindeer breathe less and save water in the cold

Rangifer ◽

10.7557/2.10.3.864 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 243

Author(s):

Kjell J. Nilssen ◽

Arne Rognmo ◽

Arnoldus Schytte Blix

Keyword(s):

Ambient Temperature ◽

Rangifer Tarandus ◽

Treadmill Exercise ◽

Minute Volume ◽

Oxygen Extraction ◽

Running Speed ◽

Ambient Temperatures ◽

Svalbard Reindeer ◽

Respiratory Minute Volume ◽

Low Ambient Temperature

Simultaneous measurements of metabolic rate, respiratory minute volume, respiratory frequency, and oxygen extraction from the inspired air were obtained during treadmill exercise in Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) and Norwegian reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus). The experiments were carried out both in summer and winter at ambient temperatures and running speeds ranging from +12 to -30 °C and 3.7 to 9.0 knvh1, respectively. We found that respiratory minute volume was generally lower in summer than in winter for a similar ambient temperature, and also that respiratory minute volume was reduced at low ambient temperature both in summer and winter. The change in respiratory minute volume was inversely related to oxygen extraction, the latter being at its highest at the lowest ambient temperature and running speed in summer. Reduction of respiratory minute volume, and hence respiratory water loss, at low ambient temperature is likely to contribute significantly to the survival of these species, particularly in winter when the animals can only replace body water with snow at low temperature.

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