Rangifer population ecology: a Scandinavian perspective

Reimers, Eigil

doi:10.7557/2.17.3.1359

Cited by 59 publications

(88 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Calf growth rates observed in this study were higher than those found on high quality Scandinavian ranges (Reimers, 1997). Winter calf weights observed were high, 60.1 kg for males, compared to male calf autumn weights reported for Scandinavian reindeer herds, 31.6-54.5 kg, (Reimers, 1997); and 55.9 kg for females compared to female calf winter weights from reindeer introduced onto South Georgia (41-48kg), (LeaderWilliams Leader-Williams & Ricketts, 1982).…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 81%

“…Winter calf weights observed were high, 60.1 kg for males, compared to male calf autumn weights reported for Scandinavian reindeer herds, 31.6-54.5 kg, (Reimers, 1997); and 55.9 kg for females compared to female calf winter weights from reindeer introduced onto South Georgia (41-48kg), (LeaderWilliams Leader-Williams & Ricketts, 1982). Male calves had higher rates of growth than female calves in accordance with other studies (Haukioja & Salovaara, 1978;.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

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Growth and body weight of free-range reindeer in western Alaska

Finstad

Prichard

2000

Ran

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Total body weight of 9749 reindeer calves and 4798 adult reindeer were measured from 1984 to 1999 on the Seward Peninsula, western Alaska, USA. Growth rates of male and female calves, and annual growth patterns of adults were determined. Male calves grew faster than female calves. Reproductive females were lighter than non-reproductive females during summer but there was no effect of reproduction on average body weights the following winter. Adult males age 3-5 were heavier during summer than winter. Castrated males weighed the same as uncastrated males in summer, but were significantly heavier in winter, and did not display the large annual fluctuations in weight typical of reproductive males and females. Growth rates were higher and body weights greater in this herd than many other circumpolar reindeer populations. We suggest these kinds of physiological indices should be used to monitor the possible effects of spatial and temporal variation in population density and to evaluate changes in herding practices.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 81%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

Growth and body weight of free-range reindeer in western Alaska

Finstad

Prichard

2000

Ran

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“…This is mostly within the expected range between 3.7 and 7.1 kg (see review by Reimers, 1997). In Hardangervidda, Skogland (1984) found a mean birth weight of 2.98 kg among 7 dead calves and 3.72 kg among 11 live-captured calves.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 51%

“…They relate both to neonatal mortality and to growth later in life (Lenvik & Aune, 1988;Eloranta & Nieminen, 1986). Among wild reindeer (Rangifer t. tarandus) in southern Norway, mean calving time (the time when 50% of the females have given birth) relates to female body weights in autumn (Reimers, 1997) and possibly to genetic differences (Flydal & Reimers,in press Wildl. Biol.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Calving time and foetus growth among wild reindeer in Norway

Reimers

2002

Ran

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Mean calving dates among 7 wild reindeer (Rangifer t. tarandus) herds in southern Norway varied between the 6th and the 27th of May. Ln transformed foetus weights relate linearly to ln age in days. Regression analyzes based upon 225 days pregnancy predicts birth wet weights between 4600 and 7500 g in the different areas and years. At 130 days, foetus weights varied between 547 and 746 g (x=681, standard deviation s=63) in all areas and years, indicating that foetus growth up to this size is independent of mothers body weight or condition. During the remaining 95 days of pregnancy, very poor body condition, reflected in dressed weights, resulted in slower foetus growth and smaller regression estimated birth weights. The foetus weight variation recorded at similar dates within areas and sampling years indicates a dispersed breeding time mostly within two ovulations. A small sample of foetuses from pregnant yearlings and calves indicate that these cohorts conceive later than 2 yr + females. Assuming similar foetus growth pattern among all female age cohorts within areas, yearlings conceive around 1 week later and calves (in Ottadalen) more than 3 weeks later than 2 + yr olds.

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“…However, it is also likely that summer range is limiting in the NAP because natality in June, and weight and con¬ dition of calves in October has also been low, and these factors are generally considered to be more affected by summer nutrition than by winter nutri¬ tion (cf. Skogland, 1984;Reimers, 1997).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Population dynamics of caribou herds in southwestern Alaska

Valkenburg¹,

Sellers²,

Squibb³

et al. 2003

Ran

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The five naturally occurring and one transplanted caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) herd in southwestern Alaska composed about 20% of Alaska's caribou population in 2001. All five of the naturally occurring herds fluctuated considerably in size between the late 1800s and 2001 and for some herds the data provide an indication of long-term periodic (40-50 year) fluctuations. At the present time, the Unimak (UCH) and Southern Alaska Peninsula (SAP) are recovering from population declines, the Northern Alaska Peninsula Herd (NAP) appears to be nearing the end of a protracted decline, and the Mulchatna Herd (MCH) appears to now be declining after 20 years of rapid growth. The remaining naturally occurring herd (Kilbuck) has virtually disappeared. Nutrition had a significant effect on the size of 4-monthold and 10-month-old calves in the NAP and the Nushagak Peninsula Herd (NPCH) and probably also on population growth in at least 4 (SAP, NAP, NPCH, and MCH) of the six caribou herds in southwestern Alaska. Predation does not appear to be sufficient to keep caribou herds in southwestern Alaska from expanding, probably because rabies is endemic in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and is periodically transferred to wolves (Canis lupus) and other canids. However, we found evidence that pneumonia and hoof rot may result in significant mortality of caribou in southwestern Alaska, whereas there is no evidence that disease is important in the dynamics of Interior herds. Cooperative conservation programs, such as the Kilbuck Caribou Management Plan, can be successful in restraining traditional harvest and promoting growth in caribou herds. In southwestern Alaska we also found evidence that small caribou herds can be swamped and assimilated by large herds, and fidelity to traditional calving areas can be lost.

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Rangifer population ecology: a Scandinavian perspective

Cited by 59 publications

References 45 publications

Growth and body weight of free-range reindeer in western Alaska

Growth and body weight of free-range reindeer in western Alaska

Calving time and foetus growth among wild reindeer in Norway

Population dynamics of caribou herds in southwestern Alaska

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