scholarly journals Mortality and survival of semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.) calves in northern Finland

Rangifer ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauri Nieminen ◽  
Harri Norberg ◽  
Veikko Maijala
Keyword(s):  
Cause Of Death ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Mortality Factor ◽  
Reindeer Herding ◽  
Golden Eagle ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Calf Survival ◽  
Radio Transmitters ◽  
The Mean ◽  
June July

During the period 1999 to 2004 the reindeer calf survival and mortality were studied in two reindeer-herding cooperatives and in five herding-groups in northern Finland, where in total 1725 calves were fitted with mortality indicating radio-transmitters fixed on expandable neck collars. The calves were weighed and marked at the age of 2-5 days in calving corrals and also during earmarking in June/July, when the age of calves was 2-8 weeks. The rate, timing and causes of mortality of calves were investigated. In 1999-2001 in Ivalo reindeer-herding cooperative 4.6% of radiocollared calves and in 2002-04 in Käsivarsi reindeer cooperative 5.2% was found dead. The average mortality of the calves radio-collared during calving time in May, and monitored to the end of October, was 6.7% in Ivalo and 9.0% in Käsivarsi. From July on, the average mortality rates varied between 1.8-5.7% among reindeer herding-groups. On average 54 and 42% of all radio-collared calves found dead in Ivalo and Käsivarsi cooperatives were attributed to predation, and golden eagle was the most significant cause of death in both cooperatives killing 0-3.5% of radio-collared calves in different study areas and years. Golden eagle predation accounted for 33-43% of all radio-collared calves found dead, 55-59% of the cases with identified cause of death and 80% of all identified predation. Most of the calves killed by golden eagle were found during July and August mainly in the open areas, as in highlands, bogs and clear-cut forest areas. The mean body weight of the calves radio-collared in May (weights adjusted on June 1st) and found dead during the summer was significantly (P<0.01) lighter than the mean weight of survivors both in Ivalo and Käsivarsi. Furthermore, the midsummer body weights of the calves (weights adjusted on July 1st) killed by all predators and by golden eagles were significantly (P<0.001) lower than the mean weight of surviving calves in both cooperatives. However, the weights did not differ between depredated calves and those calves that succumbed due to other causes than predation. The results of this study emphasize the relative importance of golden eagle as a mortality factor for reindeer calves in the northern part of the Finnish reindeer husbandry area.

scholarly journals Response distances of wild forest reindeer (Rangifer tarandus fennicus Lönnb.) and semi-domestic reindeer (R. t. tarandus L.) to direct provocation by a human on foot/snowshoes

Rangifer ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauri Nieminen
Keyword(s):  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Supplementary Feeding ◽  
Flight Distance ◽  
Feeding Practice ◽  
Reindeer Herding ◽  
Experimental Station ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Autumn And Winter

The objective of the study was to examine response distances of wild forest reindeer (Rangifer tarandus fennicus Lönnb.) and semi-domestic reindeer (R. t. tarandus L.) in Finland and Norway to direct provocation by a human on foot/snowshoes in 5 areas and in 15 reindeer herding cooperatives during different seasons in 2010-12. There were no significant differences in mean herd size or in sight, alert, flight and closest response distances of wild forest reindeer in the Kuhmo and Suomenselkä areas. The encounter distance in wild forest reindeer was significantly (P< 0.005) longer than in semi-domestic reindeer in Finland and in Finnmark, Norway, and it increased with the group size. The sight and the alert distances in wild forest reindeer were significantly (P< 0.001) longer than in semi-domestic reindeer. In addition, the flight distance for wild forest reindeer (mean 192 m) was significantly (P< 0.001) and almost three times longer than in semi-domestic reindeer in Finland (mean 68 m). The closest mean distance was in wild forest reindeer 191m (range 100-320 m) but only 44 m (range 2-110 m) in semi-domestic reindeer (P< 0.001). The sight, alert, flight and closest response distances were slightly longer in Norwegian than in Finnish semi-domestic reindeer. However, these distances were significantly (P<0.005) longer in Pohjois-Salla (no supplementary feeding) than in other Finnish reindeer herding cooperatives and at the Kaamanen experimental station. The mean flight distance of reindeer in Pohjois-Salla was 115 m but only 65 m in other cooperatives (P< 0.001). The closest distance of semi-domestic reindeer in Pohjois-Salla (mean 105 m) was more than 2.5 times longer than in other reindeer herding cooperatives (mean 40 m). The mean sight, alert and flight distances in wild forest reindeer in autumn and winter were significantly longer (P<0.005) than in semi-domestic reindeer in Finland. However, during summer these distances in wild forest reindeer herds with young calves were significantly longer (P<0.005). The mean herd size of Finnish semi-domestic reindeer was almost the same in different seasons, but in wild forest reindeer it was slightly bigger during winter and spring and smaller during summer and autumn, only 7-23 reindeer. The mean encounter and sight distances in semi-domestic reindeer were significantly longer (P<0.005) in winter, but the mean alert and flight distances were almost the same in winter and summer and slightly longer than during other seasons. The results suggest that the supplementary feeding practice during winter may likely cause a reduction in flight distances in semi-domestic reindeer.

Displacement and dispersion of parturient caribou at calving as antipredator tactics

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (7) ◽  
pp. 1597-1606 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. T. Bergerud ◽  
R. E. Page
Keyword(s):  
Snow Cover ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Ursus Arctos ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Stochastic Variation ◽  
Spring Phenology ◽  
Calf Survival ◽  
Searching Ability ◽  
High Elevations

Survival of caribou (Rangifer tarandus) calves until 4 months of age was monitored for 8 years in four herds in northern British Columbia, Canada. The chief cause of mortality was predation by wolves (Canis lupus) and grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) and this mortality was correlated within years between all herds. More calves died in years with late springs when extensive snow patches remained during calving in June than in early springs when larger snow-free areas existed. Before calving and after birth, caribou cows sought to space themselves out on snow-free areas in small aggregations at high elevations above treeline. By placing themselves at high elevations, the females increased the distance between themselves and wolves and bears travelling in the valley bottoms, as well as the main alternate prey, moose (Alces alces), which calved only in forest cover at lower elevations. In addition, the reduced snow in early springs meant that there was more space for dispersion. The variation in calf survival for three herds was negatively correlated with the heterogeneity of the calving area. Snow cover disappeared in smaller patches in more rugged mountains regardless of spring phenology, thereby providing a more constant search area for predators from year to year. More uniform mountains had either extensive areas of snow cover (late years) or brown substrates (early years), thus greatly varying the space that predators had to search between years. As stochastic variation in snow cover at calving time alters the searching ability of predators, the aggregation responses of prey, and the spatial overlap between predators and prey, it promotes short-term stability of the prey and lessens the probability of extinction.

scholarly journals Effects of medetomidine and atipamezole on serum glucose and cortisol levels in captive reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus)

Rangifer ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon M. Arnemo ◽  
Birgit Ranheim
Keyword(s):  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Serum Glucose ◽  
Serum Concentrations ◽  
Seasonal Differences ◽  
Blood Concentrations ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus Tarandus ◽  
Adrenoceptor Agonists ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Baseline Levels

<p>Serum concentrations of glucose and Cortisol were measured in five adult captive reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) at 24 h and 10 min before, and at 0.5, 1,2,4, 8, 12 and 24 h after, treatment with 60 p.g/kg of medetomidine i.v. followed by 300 jig/kg of atipamezole i.v. 60 min later. The experiments were performed in January and repeated in July-August. The animals were used as their own controls and treated with saline in July-August. The wash-out period between experiments in summer was 2 weeks or more. No obvious seasonal differences were observed. Mederomidine induced a 2.5-fold increase in glucose (mean &plusmn; standard error of the mean being 15.4 &plusmn; 0.6 mmol/1 at 1 h) and a 3.5-fold increase Cortisol (349 &plusmn; 28 nmol/1 at 0.5 h). Serum glucose reached control levels within 12 h, and Cortisol declined to baseline levels within 4 h after injection og medetomidine. The use of blood concentrations of glucose and Cortisol to assess nutritonal status, body condition and stress may be significantly biased in animals chemically immobilized with medetomidine or other alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonists.</p>

scholarly journals Significant seasonal variations in the rate of women diagnosed with gestational diabetes: A observational single centre study of 28,128 women

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Cauldwell ◽  
Yolande VanDerI'isle ◽  
Ingrid Watt-Coote ◽  
Philip Steer
Keyword(s):  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Glucose Tolerance Test ◽  
Tolerance Test ◽  
Oral Glucose ◽  
Test Design ◽  
Single Centre ◽  
June July August ◽  
Single Centre Study ◽  
The Mean ◽  
June July

Objective To test the hypothesis that there is seasonal variation in the rates of gestational diabetes (GDM) diagnosed using a 2 hour oral glucose tolerance test. Design Monthly assessment of the percentage of women screened from 1st April 2016 to the 31st December 2020 who were diagnosed as having gestational diabetes Setting London Teaching Hospital Population 28,128 women receiving antenatal care between April 1st 2016 and 31 December 2020. Methods Retrospective study of prospectively collected data. Main Outcome Measures Proportion of women screened diagnosed as having gestational diabetes. Results The mean (SD) percentage of women diagnosed with GDM was 14.78 (2.24) in summer (June, July, August) compared with 11.23 (1.62) in winter (p < 0.001), 12.13 (1.94) in spring (p = 0.002), and 11.88 (2.67) in autumn (p = 0.003). There was a highly significant positive correlation of the percentage testing positive for GDM with the mean maximum monthly temperature (R2 = 0.248, p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant 33.8% increase in the proportion of GDM diagnoses from June 2020 onwards, possibly related to a reduction in exercise secondary to the Covid-19 pandemic. Conclusions There is a 23.3% higher rate of GDM diagnoses in the warmer summer months. There has been a 33.8% rise in GDM diagnoses associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals The impact of large carnivores on the mortality of semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.) calves in Kainuu, southeastern reindeer-herding region of Finland

Rangifer ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauri Nieminen
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Annual Variation ◽  
Total Mortality ◽  
Large Carnivores ◽  
Reindeer Herding ◽  
Eurasian Lynx ◽  
Causes Of Mortality ◽  
Calf Mortality ◽  
The Impact

During 2006-2008 the survival of reindeer calves was studied in the reindeer-herding cooperative of Halla in Kainuu area where totally 546 calves were equipped with radio mortality collars mainly at the age of 1-3 days. The survival was monitored from the calving in May until winter round-ups in October to January. The rate, timing and causes of mortality of reindeer were assessed. In 2006-08 totally 177 radio-collared calves were found dead (mean mortality 32.4%) until mid-January. The results showed significant annual variation in calf mortality and predation. Independent of year the mortality of radio-collared calves was highest during the first two months after birth, and the total mortality was 30.7% at the end of October and reached 34.6% by mid-January. The sex of calves and pelt colour did not affect significantly survival of calves. Predation comprised 70.0% of total mortality. Predation by wolf, bear, lynx and wolverine comprised on average 38.4%, 20.3%, 9.0% and 2.3%, respectively. Birth weight of calves lost or killed by predators did not differ from surviving calves. However, birth weight of calves killed by brown bears was significantly lighter (mean 5.84 kg), whereas calves killed by Eurasian lynx was significantly heavier (mean 6.67 kg) than birth weight of calves that survived (mean 6.26 kg). Bears killed calves mainly in May to July, wolves in July to October and lynx in August to December. Of 209 radio-collared adult females, 17 were found dead (8.0%). These females had calved in May and they were killed mainly by wolves (52.0%) in August to October.

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

Rangifer ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 211 ◽  
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&deg;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.

Fascioloides magna (Trematoda) in woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) of the George River herd, Labrador

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 475-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murray W. Lankester ◽  
Stu Luttich
Keyword(s):  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Liver Weight ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus Caribou ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Intensity Of Infection ◽  
Fascioloides Magna ◽  
The Mean ◽  
George River ◽  
Liver Flukes

Fifty-eight percent of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) of the George River herd, Labrador, were infected with up to 110 giant American liver flukes (Fascioloides magna). The prevalence and intensity of infection did not differ between 2 sampling years or between sexes. Prevalence tended to increase with age while intensity did not differ among age groups. Liver weight increased with intensity of infection but condition, as measured by the mean depth of back fat, did not differ between infected and uninfected animals. Caribou must be considered a suitable host of F. magna since the growth and maturation of the parasite and lesions produced in Rangifer resemble those in deer and wapiti.

scholarly journals II. Numerical elements of Indian meteorology.—Series I

1863 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 567-568
Keyword(s):  
Rainy Season ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Mean Temperature ◽  
Hot Season ◽  
The Mean ◽  
June July

In this paper the author communicates Plates in which the iso-thermal lines are represented between the latitudes of 5°N. and 36°W., and longitudes of 78°E. and 98°E. of Greenwich. 1st, of the mean temperature of the year; 2nd, of the cool season, viz. December, January, and February; 3rd, of the hot season, viz. March, April, and May; 4th, of the rainy season, viz. June, July, and August; 5th, of the autumn, viz. September, October, and November.

Solar energy conversion efficiencies during succession of a tropical rain forest in Amazonia

1991 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Guillermo Saldarriaga ◽  
Robert John Luxmoore
Keyword(s):  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Rain Forest ◽  
Tropical Rain Forest ◽  
Root Production ◽  
Successional Stage ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Conversion Efficiencies

ABSTRACTMean annual quantities of solar radiation absorbed during various stages of regeneration of a tropical rain forest in the upper Rio Negro valley of Colombia and Venezuela were estimated for the consecutive intervals between clear-cut and 1,3, 10, 20, 35, 60, 80 and 200 years of growth. Forest phytomass and litter fall data from each of these stages were used to calculate the mean annual net dry matter production per unit of absorbed photosynthelically active radiation (PAR), the PAR conversion efficiency. The quantities of PAR absorbed by the forest stands were calculated from the leaf area index values with an extinction coefficient for PAR of 0.74, a PAR albedo of 0.04, and an annual mean incoming PAR of 2.86GJ m-2y-1. Efficiency decreased with increase in successional stage. During the first 10 years of regrowth, the efficiency of conversion of PAR into above-ground phylomass averaged 0.23 g MJ-1, decreasing to 0.07 g MJ-1 over the following 50 years. Inclusion of annual root production in the calculations resulted in a small increase in PAR conversion efficiency; however, efficiency was more than doubled for some periods when the annual leaf and twig lillerfall were included. Efficiency values for above-ground production were much lower than PAR conversion efficiency values estimated for above-ground production of temperate forests.

Lambing season and fertility of fat-tailed ewes under an extensive production system are associated with liveweight and body condition around mating

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (12) ◽  
pp. 1086 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. K. Esmailizadeh ◽  
O. Dayani ◽  
M. S. Mokhtari
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Production System ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Mating Period ◽  
Breed Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
The Mean ◽  
June July

The objective of this study was to investigate to what extent fertility and lambing season of fat-tailed ewes raised under an extensive production system are related to liveweight, body condition and changes around mating. Ewe liveweight and body condition score (BSC) were recorded in June, July and August over a period of 3 years (1999–2001) in 11 flocks (eight flocks of Kurdi breed and three flocks of Kurdi × Sanjabi crossbred). Both Kurdi and Sanjabi are native fat-tailed breeds in western Iran. In total, 3278 lambing records relating to 1592 ewes and data on mating date, liveweight and BCS of 1930 ewes (3975 records) were used for statistical analyses. The statistical model for bodyweight and body condition data included fixed effects of breed group, flock nested within breed group, year, the future lambing status following summer breeding (barren, autumn lambing and winter lambing), ewe age and all two-way interactions. Breed group had a significant effect on ewe liveweight (P < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference between BCS of the two breed groups around mating. Ewe liveweights measured in June, July and August had significant effects on fertility and lambing season (P < 0.01). Ewes that produced lambs were generally heavier at mating than barren ewes (P < 0.01). Autumn-lambing ewes were heavier than winter-lambing ewes in June and July (P < 0.01). Effects of changes in liveweight on fertility and lambing season were significant (P < 0.01). The effects of BCS in June, July and August (P < 0.01) and changes in BCS during the mating period (P < 0.05) on fertility and lambing season were also significant. The mean BCS (in June and July) of autumn-lambing ewes was greater than that of the winter-lambing and barren ewes (P < 0.05). The proportion of autumn-lambing ewes significantly increased as BCS in July increased, whereas the proportion of barren ewes decreased (P < 0.01). Fertility was associated with age so that as the age of the ewes increased from 2 to 7 years, the proportion of barren ewes significantly decreased from 29 to 5% (P < 0.01). There was a relatively high proportion of very thin ewes of 2 and 3 years of age. These findings imply that low body condition is a particular problem in younger ewes suggesting the importance of giving special nutritional treatment to younger ewes to reduce the proportion of barren ewes.

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