scholarly journals Erratum: Morphology and population characteristics of Vancouver Island Cougars, Puma concolor vancouverensis. (2004) 118(2): 159-163.

2004 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 485
Author(s):  
Steven F. Wilson ◽  
Apryl Hahn ◽  
Aaron Gladders ◽  
Karen M. L. Goh ◽  
David M. Shackleton
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Puma Concolor ◽  
Vancouver Island ◽  
Population Characteristics

Replacement for figure 2 (body size vs. age), on page 161 of the indicated article.

scholarly journals Morphology and Population Characteristics of Vancouver Island Cougars, Puma concolor vancouverensis

2004 ◽  
Vol 118 (2) ◽  
pp. 159
Author(s):  
Steven F. Wilson ◽  
Apryl Hahn ◽  
Aaron Gladders ◽  
Karen M. L. Goh ◽  
David M. Shackleton
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Puma Concolor ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Vancouver Island ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Top Predator ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Age And Sex

Cougars are a management concern on Vancouver Island because they are a top predator and because there have been frequent attacks on humans on the island. However, little is known about Cougar ecology in the Pacific Northwest of North America. We studied Cougar morphology and population characteristics as part of a larger study in two areas on Vancouver Island. We derived a multivariate measure of body size to describe changes with age and sex. Body size was similar in the two study areas. Survival rates for adult females were higher than those reported elsewhere; however, hunters avoided shooting females in general, and radio-collared Cougars in particular. Litter size at first detection was lower than reported in many other studies and may be related to food availability.Includes erratum for a figure in this article.

Timing and causes of mortality in the endangered Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis)

2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 674-682 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew A Bryant ◽  
Rick E Page
Keyword(s):  
Puma Concolor ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Vancouver Island ◽  
Winter Mortality ◽  
Mortality Factors ◽  
Proximate Cause ◽  
Island Endemic ◽  
Radio Transmitters ◽  
Probability Of Death

We used radiotelemetry to evaluate seasonal survival rates and mortality factors for a critically endangered island endemic, the Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis Swarth, 1911). Recovery of radio transmitters and marmot remains suggested that predation was the major cause of mortality, accounting for at least 24 of 29 (83%) known-fate deaths recorded since radiotelemetry efforts began in 1992. Wolves (Canis lupus L., 1758) and cougars (Puma concolor (L., 1771)) apparently accounted for 17 deaths (59%). Three marmots (10%) were killed by golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos (L., 1758)), four (14%) were killed by unknown predators that probably included all of the above species, two (7%) died from unknown causes, and three (10%) died during hibernation in a single burrow. Mortality rates varied seasonally. The daily probability of death during hibernation was very low (Pdeath = 0.016). The probability of death was also low from spring emergence through 31 July (Pdeath = 0.051), but was eight times higher in August (Pdeath = 0.395) and four times higher in September (Pdeath = 0.175). We concluded that predation was the proximate cause of recent declines in wild Vancouver Island marmot populations, that losses were highly concentrated in late summer, and that previous studies exaggerated the importance of winter mortality. We suggest that high predation rates were associated with forestry and altered predator abundance and hunting patterns.

Population characteristics of the adder (Vipera berus berus) in the Northern Romanian Carpathians with emphasis on colour polymorphism: is melanism always adaptive in vipers?

2011 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 457-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandru Strugariu ◽  
Ştefan R. Zamfirescu
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Short Review ◽  
The Body ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Colour Polymorphism ◽  
Vipera Berus ◽  
Adaptive Processes ◽  
Romanian Carpathians ◽  
The Subject

AbstractThe adaptive significance of melanism and the hypotheses regarding the maintenance of colour polymorphism in snake populations have been the subject of numerous studies and great controversies over the years. The present paper aims to present the first data on population characteristics of the adder (Vipera berus berus – one of the taxa most frequently used as model organism in studies on colour polymorphism) from the Carpathian Mountains, with emphasis on the frequency of melanistic individuals and comparison of body size between the two morphs. A short review of the frequency of melanistic individuals in populations described by previous studies is also presented. Given the fact that melanistic individuals were infrequent in this population, that no significant differences were detected with regards to the body size of the two morphs, and the supporting literature, we conclude that maintenance of colour polymorphism in this population might result from non-adaptive processes, having no or very little adaptive value.

Population profile of an introduced species, the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis), on Vancouver Island, Canada

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Michael Allan ◽  
Christopher J Prelypchan ◽  
Patrick T Gregory
Keyword(s):  
Introduced Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Vancouver Island ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Podarcis Muralis ◽  
Tail Loss ◽  
Common Wall ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Gravid Females

Introduced species represent one of the greatest potential threats to persistence of native species. Therefore, it is important to understand the ecology of introduced species in order to develop appropriate mitigation strategies if required. In this study, using data collected in 1992–1993, we describe some fundamental population attributes of common wall lizards, Podarcis muralis (Laurenti, 1768), of Italian origin, introduced near Victoria, British Columbia, in the early 1970s. Male and female wall lizards reached similar snout–vent lengths, but males had relatively longer tails and were heavier. However, when gravid, females attained a body mass similar to that of males of equal snout–vent length. We found gravid females in all months from May to July, inclusive, but hatchlings did not appear in the field before late July. Growth rate was inversely related to body size, and lizards probably reached maturity in their second full summer. Larger lizards were more likely than smaller lizards to have experienced tail loss prior to capture, but the probability of tail loss upon capture was higher for smaller lizards than for adults. Our results suggest no fundamental differences in population characteristics between P. muralis on southern Vancouver Island and populations at sites within the species' natural range in Europe. Whether P. muralis on Vancouver Island is a threat to the native northern alligator lizard, Elgaria coerulea (Wiegmann, 1828), remains an open question.

scholarly journals HONEY POLLEN ANALYSIS AND POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS OF HONEY BEES LIVING IN THE TOWN OF NAUCHNIY GORODOK OF THE ALTAI REGION

2021 ◽  
pp. 66-71
Author(s):  
L.A. Meshcheryakova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Pollen Analysis ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Evolutionary Process ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Altai Region ◽  
Popula Tions ◽  
Coefficients Of Variation ◽  
Bee Colonies ◽  
The Town

Honeybeepopulations were formed under certain phy-toclimatic conditions and, in the process of natural selec-tion, acquired useful characters that ensured the survival and successful reproduction of the species. Throughout the evolutionary process, insects and plants have developed certain relationships, and therefore bees developed priori-ties and tools in collecting nectar and pollen from certain plant species. On the territory of Russia, several popula-tions of Apis melliferaL. are zoned; they differ in flora spe-cialization, color and body size, behavior, productivity, win-ter hardiness and disease resistance. The main morpho-metric indices of insects that confirm the purity of the breed are the proboscis length and cubital index. To determine the species compositionof bees, insect samples were tak-en from 3 bee colonies inhabiting the town of Nauchniy Gorodok of the Altai Region, and 4 honey varieties were taken for pollen analysis. It was found that all samples of centrifuged honey belonged to polyfloral varieties and con-sisted of pollen of plants of the Cruciferous family (6.0-23.5%), Polygonaceae(1.4-33.0%), Fabaceae (2.5-28.1%), and Compositae (0.5-23.5%). The range of the indices of proboscis length (6.46 ± 0.033; 6.57 ± 0.021; 6.53 ± 0.021 mm) and cubital index(42.58 ± 1.514; 50.31 ± 1.78; 45.36 ± 1.134%) of the studied bees was quite high. The coefficients of variation were as following: re-garding proboscis length -1.38-2.25%, and cubital index -10.9-15.49%. Thus, in the 3 studied bee colonies, there were individuals with exterior features (proboscis length and cubital index) belonging to the European dark, Carpa-thian, Carniolan,Italian, Yellow and Mountain Grey Cauca-sian honeybee breeds.

Mountain Lion (Puma concolor) Population Characteristics in the Little Missouri Badlands of North Dakota

2019 ◽  
Vol 181 (2) ◽  
pp. 207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randy D. Johnson ◽  
Jonathan A. Jenks ◽  
Stephanie A. Tucker ◽  
David T. Wilckens
Keyword(s):  
North Dakota ◽  
Puma Concolor ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Mountain Lion

Population characteristics of the estuarine isopod Gnorimosphaeroma insulare in three contrasting habitats: sedge marsh, algal bed, and wood debris

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (8) ◽  
pp. 2097-2104 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Stanhope ◽  
D. W. Powell ◽  
E. B. Hartwick
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Development Time ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Fucus Distichus ◽  
Wood Debris ◽  
Contrasting Habitats ◽  
Similar Growth

Population characteristics of Gnorimosphaeroma insulare (Isopoda: Sphaeromatidae) were investigated in three habitats within the Squamish estuary, British Columbia: a log debris area, an embankment along the perimeter of a Carex lyngbyei marsh, and a Fucus distichus community. Gnorimosphaeroma insulare annual production was highest in the Fucus habitat (39.54–48.05 g dry wt∙m−2∙year−1) followed by "bank" (22.97–27.74 g∙m−2∙year−1) and then wood debris habitats (4.72–6.43 g∙m−2∙year−1). Cohort figures indicated that male productivity was greater than female productivity in all locations. Production:biomass ratios were similar in all three habitats and ranged between 2.47 and 3.17. Mortality rates were greatest in Fucus; those in wood debris and bank habitats were similar. Growth rates were highest in the bank habitat; those in wood debris and Fucus were similar. Growth and mortality rates of males were greater than those of females. Gnorimosphaeroma insulare is an annual semelparous species. Males died soon after mating, females soon after brood release. Fecundity was linearly related to body size but differed between locations (females from wood debris produced more eggs). Brood mortality was dependent on habitat: females from the bank habitat possessed the highest brood mortality followed by those from wood debris; females from Fucus did not possess any significant brood mortality. Egg development time was estimated at 120 days. The reduced carrying capacity of wood debris substrate is thought to be due to a paucity of microbial epiphytes, particularly fungi.

scholarly journals Cougar (Puma concolor) vocalization and frequency shift as a playback response

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 133-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur Macarrão ◽  
Milena Corbo ◽  
Carlos Barros de Araújo
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Acoustic Communication ◽  
Puma Concolor ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Intraspecific Interactions ◽  
Before And After ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
And Behavior

Recordings of cougar (Puma concolor) vocalizations are rare in the wild. We made two night recordings from the same individual. The first recording was spontaneous whereas the second was made after a playback emission (using a third party recording) allowing for comparisons. We measured the calls before and after playback stimuli using Raven software and noted that only the minimum fundamental frequency presented differences between calls. As fundamental frequency is closely related to body size, a frequency reduction may indicate territoriality engagement. Our recording seems to be the first held in the Brazilian wild. Little is known about cougar natural history and behavior, and our data suggest that acoustic communication may have an important role on the species intraspecific interactions.

Public Attitudes toward Black Bears (Ursus americanus) and Cougars (Puma concolor) on Vancouver Island

2010 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Campbell ◽  
Betty-Lou Lancaster
Keyword(s):  
Puma Concolor ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Black Bear ◽  
Vancouver Island ◽  
Cultural Development ◽  
Black Bears ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
Urban Development Policy

AbstractThe sharp increase in the human population of Vancouver Island; the urban development policy favoring forest fragmentation and smaller, scattered settlements; and the relatively sizable population of large predatory mammals have contributed to one of the highest human-large predator contact zones in North America. Although some studies have evaluated public attitudes toward larger carnivores from urban/rural, gender, and generational perspectives, few have focused on black bears and cougars on the British Columbia coast. In this study, four hundred people in the densely populated southeast corner of Vancouver Island were interviewed about their attitudes toward black bear and cougar presence and behavior. The majority of interviewees had positive attitudes toward both bears and cougars, and were opposed to the shooting of carnivores, preferring trapping and removal. Contrary to expectation, few respondents saw carnivores as threats to livestock, companion animals, or children. Both black bears and cougars were perceived as serving useful functions as part of the island’s heritage and cultural development (through hunting, tourism, and recreation).

Body-size trends inPeromyscus(Rodentia: Cricetidae) on Vancouver Island, Canada, with comments on relictual gigantism

Paleobiology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 532-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina L. Steffen
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Ursus Arctos ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Vancouver Island ◽  
Local Source ◽  
Linear Discriminant ◽  
Radiocarbon Age ◽  
Water Dispersal ◽  
Discriminant Analyses ◽  
Geographic Separation

AbstractLarge body size in Keen’s mouse,Peromyscus keeni, has been regarded as a relictual character that developed in times of geographic separation fromP. maniculatus. However, body-size changes in Keen’s mouse have not been studied in detail. To address this problem the present paper compares the size of ancient and modernPeromyscusspecimens from Vancouver Island. Results indicate that Late PleistocenePeromyscusfrom Arch-2 Cave and early HolocenePeromyscusfrom Pellucidar Cave are significantly larger than those of modernP. maniculatusandP. keeni. Morphology and linear discriminant analyses support tentative assignment of several ancient specimens toP. keeni. Radiocarbon age estimates of 11,960±45 BP (14,004–13,637 cal BP) on a small mammal bone and 12,370±35 BP (14,695–14,148 cal BP) onUrsus arctosfrom Arch-2 Cave place these faunas on the island as relative sea level fell from a postglacial highstand, suggesting a local source for faunas with limited over-water dispersal capacities. Results of this study are consistent with insular relictual gigantism in Keen’s mouse, although some modification of the original hypothesis is needed to explain the smaller size of modern than ancient mice.

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