Responses of Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) Populations to Supplemental Food

1990 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 579-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. P. Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽  
Red Squirrel ◽  
Supplemental Food

scholarly journals Excavation of Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) Middens by Bears (Ursus spp.) in Limber Pine (Pinus flexilis) Habitat in Banff National Park, Alberta

2017 ◽  
Vol 130 (4) ◽  
pp. 281 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Hamer
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽  
Red Squirrel ◽  
Limber Pine ◽  
Banff National Park ◽  
Pine Stands ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Pinus Spp

Bears (Ursus spp.) in North America eat the seeds of several pines (Pinus spp.), including Limber Pine (P. flexilis E. James). Information on use of Limber Pine in Canada is limited to a report of three bear scats containing pine seeds found in Limber Pine stands of southwestern Alberta. After my preliminary fieldwork in Banff National Park revealed that bears were eating seeds of Limber Pine there, I conducted a field study in 2014–2015 to assess this use. Because bears typically obtain pine seeds from cone caches (middens) made by Red Squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), I described the abundance, habitat characteristics, and use by bears of Red Squirrel middens in and adjacent to Limber Pine stands at six study sites. On Bow River escarpments, I found abundant Limber Pines (basal area 1–9 m2/ha) and middens (0.8 middens/ha, standard deviation [SD] 0.2). Of 24 middens, 13 (54%) had been excavated by bears, and three bear scats composed of pine seeds were found beside middens. Although Limber Pines occurred on steep, xeric, windswept slopes (mean 28°, SD 3), middens occurred on moderate slopes (mean 12°, SD 3) in escarpment gullies and at the toe of slopes in forests of other species, particularly Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). At the five other study sites, I found little or no use of Limber Pine seeds by bears, suggesting that Limber Pine habitat may be little used by bears unless the pines are interspersed with (non-Limber Pine) habitat with greater forest cover and less-steep slopes where squirrels establish middens. These observations provide managers with an additional piece of information regarding potential drivers of bear activity in the human-dominated landscape of Banff National Park’s lower Bow Valley.

SEASONAL DAMAGE BY INSECTS AND SQUIRRELS TO FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE STRUCTURES OF BLACK SPRUCE, PICEA MARIANA (MILL.) B.S.P.

1988 ◽  
Vol 120 (12) ◽  
pp. 1113-1121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y.H. Prévost ◽  
J.E. Laing ◽  
V.F. Haavisto
Keyword(s):  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Choristoneura Fumiferana ◽  
Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽  
Red Squirrel ◽  
Red Squirrels ◽  
Reproductive Structures ◽  
Cone Axis ◽  
Viable Seeds ◽  
Cone Growth

AbstractThe seasonal damage to female reproductive structures (buds, flowers, and cones) of black spruce, Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P., was assessed during 1983 and 1984. Nineteen insects (five Orders) and the red squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (Erxleben), were found feeding on these reproductive structures. Collectively, these organisms damaged 88.9 and 53.5% of the cones in 1983 and 1984, respectively. In the 2 years, Lepidoptera damaged 61.8% of the cones in 1983 and 44.4% of the cones in 1984. The spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.), and the spruce coneworm, Dioryctria reniculelloides Mut. and Mun., were the most important pests. Cones damaged by Lepidoptera could be classed into three categories: (a) severe, yielding no seeds; (b) moderate, yielding 22.3 seeds per cone; and (c) light, yielding 37.5 seeds per cone. Undamaged cones yielded on average 39.9 seeds per cone. Red squirrels removed 18.8% of the cones in 1983 and none in 1984. The spruce cone axis midge, Dasineura rachiphaga Tripp, and the spruce cone maggot, Lasiomma anthracinum (Czerny), caused minor damage in both years. Feeding by spruce cone axis midge did not reduce cone growth significantly or the number of viable seeds per cone, but feeding by the spruce cone maggot did. During both years new damage by insects to the female reproductive structures of the experimental trees was not observed after mid-July. In 1983 damage by red squirrels occurred from early to late September. In 1984 damage to cones on trees treated with dimethoate was 15.6% compared with 53.5% for untreated trees, without an increase in the number of aborted cones.

Ontogénèse du comportement de l'Ecureuil roux (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)

1980 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 1090-1099 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Ferron
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Detailed Analysis ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Neonatal Period ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Physical Development ◽  
Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽  
Behaviour Pattern ◽  
Red Squirrel ◽  
Behavioural Development

A detailed analysis of the behavioural development of the red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) from birth to weaning is presented. For each behaviour pattern, the earliest and latest ages of emergence in a series of 14 young (from three litters) were registered and a mean was calculated. A review of the principal events of physical development is given first. The ontogeny of behaviour is then considered under five headings: locomotion, alertness and exploration, feeding, comfort, and social interactions. In the discussion, a general analysis of the development of behaviour with regard to the different periods of ontogeny (neonatal period, transition period, and socialization period) and the two leading events of the early life of the red squirrel (emergence from the nest and weaning) is given. It appears that the young are equipped with a minimum of behaviour patterns during the period of nest confinement and that close to emergence, a series of new behaviours come into effect with the exception of locomotion, which evolves gradually and regularly during ontogeny.

Genetic structure of the arboreal squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus and Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) in the North American Black Hills

2012 ◽  
Vol 90 (9) ◽  
pp. 1191-1200 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.M. Kiesow ◽  
E.M. Monroe ◽  
H.B. Britten
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Allelic Diversity ◽  
Black Hills ◽  
Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽  
Glaucomys Sabrinus ◽  
Red Squirrel ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
Red Squirrels

We selected two isolated mammalian populations, the Black Hills northern flying squirrel ( Glaucomys sabrinus (Shaw, 1801)) and red squirrel ( Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (Erxleben, 1777)), to elucidate their genetic structure. We trapped both squirrels from 2005 to 2007, in three regions of the Black Hills, differing in geology and vegetation, to collect ear samples for genetic analyses. Microsatellite loci (northern flying (9) and red squirrel (13)) were used to examine genetic structure. Data analyses estimated genetic variability, substructure, and gene flow. Northern flying and red squirrel populations have allelic diversity and observed heterozygosity similar to other isolated populations. Each species shows weak substructure from STRUCTURE and GENELAND analyses, suggesting squirrel movements may be inhibited by topography or unsuitable habitat. Recent gene flow estimates from BAYESASS indicate that both species experience some within population gene flow and red squirrels may be more structured than northern flying squirrels because of lower migration rates. Concordant patterns of genetic structure in northern flying and red squirrels indicate that other species’ movements in the Black Hills may be affected by topography and habitat. Because their habitat is isolated in the Black Hills, management practices and conservation measures are recommended to promote viability and survival of each species.

Body temperature dynamics of the red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus): adaptations for energy conservation

1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (7) ◽  
pp. 1349-1354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald W. Pauls
Keyword(s):  
Body Temperature ◽  
Motor Activity ◽  
Energy Conservation ◽  
Outdoor Environment ◽  
Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
Red Squirrel ◽  
Red Squirrels ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
Temperature Dynamics

Abdominal temperatures (Tb) of two captive female red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) in a natural outdoor environment were monitored by radiotelemetry at air temperatures (Ta) from −33 to 28 °C. Abdominal temperature ranged from 35.9 to 41.4 °C with values usually less than 39 °C when an animal was in the nest and greater than 39 °C when outside. An increase of Tb to about 39 °C usually occurred before an animal left the nest. In the nest Tb was positively correlated with Ta. Outside the nest there was a weak positive correlation at Ta less than 15 °C and a stronger negative correlation at higher Ta. During subnivean activity a rapid decline in Tb usually occurred. It is suggested that in the nest a low Tb is adaptive in that it results in energy conservation while a higher Tb is required outside the nest for rapid and coordinated motor activity.

scholarly journals Persistent maternal effects on juvenile survival in North American red squirrels

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 289-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tricia D Kerr ◽  
Stan Boutin ◽  
Jalene M LaMontagne ◽  
Andrew G McAdam ◽  
Murray M Humphries
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Effects ◽  
North American ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Dispersal Distance ◽  
Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽  
Territory Quality ◽  
Red Squirrels ◽  
Juvenile Dispersal ◽  
Supplemental Food ◽  
North American Red Squirrels

Maternal effects can have lasting fitness consequences for offspring, but these effects are often difficult to disentangle from associated responses in offspring traits. We studied persistent maternal effects on offspring survival in North American red squirrels ( Tamiasciurus hudsonicus ) by manipulating maternal nutrition without altering the post-emergent nutritional environment experienced by offspring. This was accomplished by providing supplemental food to reproductive females over winter and during reproduction, but removing the supplemental food from the system prior to juvenile emergence. We then monitored juvenile dispersal, settlement and survival from birth to 1 year of age. Juveniles from supplemented mothers experienced persistent and magnifying survival advantages over juveniles from control mothers long after supplemental food was removed. These maternal effects on survival persisted, despite no observable effect on traits normally associated with high offspring quality, such as body size, dispersal distance or territory quality. However, supplemented mothers did provide their juveniles an early start by breeding an average of 18 days earlier than control mothers, which may explain the persistent survival advantages their juveniles experienced.

Solitary play of the red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)

1975 ◽  
Vol 53 (11) ◽  
pp. 1495-1499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Ferron
Keyword(s):  
Relative Proportion ◽  
Play Behavior ◽  
Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽  
Red Squirrel ◽  
Motor Patterns ◽  
Play Fighting ◽  
Social Species ◽  
Solitary Play ◽  
The Social ◽  
Use Of An Object

A description of the different forms of solitary play behavior in the red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) is presented here. These play activities are subdivided into two main groups: non-directed and object-directed. In the first are included (a) tumbles on the ground; (b) leaps and feats of skill in trees; (c) body shaking while suspended by the feet, and (d) running. In the second the motor patterns can be (a) gnawing, eating and caching food; (b) rubbing against an object; (c) acrobatic use of an object; (d) play-fighting with objects, and (e) chasing and play-fighting with the tail. The comparison of the solitary play behavior of the red squirrel with that of some other sciurids shows that this behavior seems to be almost non-existent in the social species studied so far and is subject to variation with age at the intraspecific level. It is suggested that a certain relation exists between the degree of sociability and the relative proportion of solitary and social play activities.

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