Movement Patterns of Barren-Ground Wolves in the Central Canadian Arctic

Walton, L.; Cluff, H. Dean; Paquet, Paul C.; Ramsay, Malcolm A.

doi:10.1644/1545-1542(2001)082<0867:mpobgw>2.0.co;2

Cited by 76 publications

(106 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Our spatial resolution did not allow testing for locationhabitat association at a fine scale. However, our quantitative findings are consistent with the wolf-barren ground caribou attraction premise that was hypothesized based on observations of tundra wolf prédation on caribou (Kelsall 1968;Kuyt 1972;Parker 1973;Walton et al 2001a). Our identification of a migratory population of grey wolves and caribou in the taiga-tundra is analogous to the coincident pattern of migration of ungulates and spotted hyenas in East Africa (Hofer & East 1995;Trinkel etal.…”

Section: The Migratory System Of Wolves and Barren-ground Caribousupporting

confidence: 90%

Differentiation of tundra/taiga and boreal coniferous forest wolves: genetics, coat colour and association with migratory caribou

et al. 2007

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The grey wolf has one of the largest historic distributions of any terrestrial mammal and can disperse over great distances across imposing topographic barriers. As a result, geographical distance and physical obstacles to dispersal may not be consequential factors in the evolutionary divergence of wolf populations. However, recent studies suggest ecological features can constrain gene flow. We tested whether wolf-prey associations in uninterrupted tundra and forested regions of Canada explained differences in migratory behaviour, genetics, and coat colour of wolves. Satellite-telemetry data demonstrated that tundra wolves (n = 19) migrate annually with caribou (« = 19) from denning areas in the tundra to wintering areas south of the treeline. In contrast, nearby boreal coniferous forest wolves are territorial and associated year round with resident prey. Spatially explicit analysis of 14 autosomal microsatellite loci (n = 404 individuals) found two genetic clusters corresponding to tundra vs. boreal coniferous forest wolves. A sex bias in gene flow was inferred based on higher levels of mtDNA divergence (Fg^ = 0.282, 0.028 and 0.033; P < 0.0001 for mitochondrial, nuclear autosomal and Y-chromosome markers, respectively). Phenotypic differentiation was substantial as 93% of wolves from tundra populations exhibited light colouration whereas only 38% of boreal coniferous forest wolves did (y} = 64.52, P < 0.0001). The sharp boundary representing this discontinuity was the southern limit of the caribou migration. These findings show that substantial genetic and phenotypic differentiation in highly mobile mammals can be caused by prey-habitat specialization rather than distance or topographic barriers. The presence of a distinct wolf ecotype in the tundra of North America highlights the need to preserve migratory populations.

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Section: The Migratory System Of Wolves and Barren-ground Caribousupporting

confidence: 90%

Differentiation of tundra/taiga and boreal coniferous forest wolves: genetics, coat colour and association with migratory caribou

et al. 2007

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“…I used animal location data collected during previous studies of caribou and grey wolves to generate the models of habitat selection by Bathurst caribou (Walton et al 2001, Gunn et al 2002. Eighty-four female caribou of the Bathurst herd were fitted with ST-10 and ST-14 satellite radio-collars (Telonics, Mesa, AZ, USA; Ballard et al 1995) using standard helicopter darting techniques and monitored between 1996 and 2009 (Gunn et al 2002).…”

Section: Animal Locations and Designation Of Seasonsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors influencing the distribution of Bathurst barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) during winter.

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“…Their behaviour is unique among wolf populations in that they do not maintain and defend annual territories. Instead, tundra wolves undergo long-distance migrations following barren-ground caribou throughout most of the year (Walton et al 2001, Hansen et al 2013. They are considered a unique ecotype of gray wolf; genetically, phenotypically, and behaviourally distinct from boreal forest wolves that hunt a more diverse prey base of relatively sedentary ungulates in more southern forested landscapes (Musiani et al 2007).…”

Section: Chapter 1: Thesis Introduction Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tundra wolves show strong fidelity to den sites or traditional denning ranges and most wolves restrict their movements around a den by late-April (Walton et al 2001). …”

Section: Chapter 1: Thesis Introduction Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Adult wolves generally remain in close proximity to their pups from late-May to early-September (wolf denning period) leaving occasionally to hunt for prey (Williams 1990, Walton et al 2001, Frame et al 2004). As such, the behavior of tundra wolves is likely more territorial during the denning period (Walton et al 2001). …”

Section: Chapter 1: Thesis Introduction Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Denning ecology of barren-ground wolves in the central Canadian Arctic.

Klaczek¹

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Movement Patterns of Barren-Ground Wolves in the Central Canadian Arctic

Cited by 76 publications

References 14 publications

Differentiation of tundra/taiga and boreal coniferous forest wolves: genetics, coat colour and association with migratory caribou

Differentiation of tundra/taiga and boreal coniferous forest wolves: genetics, coat colour and association with migratory caribou

Factors influencing the distribution of Bathurst barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) during winter.

Denning ecology of barren-ground wolves in the central Canadian Arctic.

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