THE EXTINCT WAPITI OF ALASKA AND YUKON TERRITORY

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Author: Guthrie, R. D.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1966
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Yukon; Alaska
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z66-004; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z66-004

A population of wapiti existed in the northern part of North America during the Wisconsin glaciation, but became extinct at its close, probably as a result of vegetational changes. They were large antlered forms, with a comparatively high frequency of supernumerary proximal tines. The chronology and nature of the Alaskan fossil wapiti are discussed in relation to the historical zoogeography and competition with other ungulates in North America during the Late Pleistocene.