Observations on demography, reproduction, and morphology of muskoxen ( Ovibos moschatus ) on Banks Island, Northwest Territories
Muskoxen were harvested from three locations on Banks Island in 1981, 1982, and 1983 in the following numbers: 1981, 224; 1982, 87; 1983, 82. Only the 1981 harvest was nonselective for specific age-classes. There was a maximum of 0.83 calves per female ≥ 3 years old in mid-May, as determined by calf...
| Published in: | Canadian Journal of Zoology |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Canadian Science Publishing
1987
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z87-041 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z87-041 |
| Summary: | Muskoxen were harvested from three locations on Banks Island in 1981, 1982, and 1983 in the following numbers: 1981, 224; 1982, 87; 1983, 82. Only the 1981 harvest was nonselective for specific age-classes. There was a maximum of 0.83 calves per female ≥ 3 years old in mid-May, as determined by calf and fetus counts; these calves represented 24% of the total sample. Over 90% of all calving was completed by 8 May. Calving may start as early as 8 April and likely no later than 19 April. Body weight increased until at least 5 years of age for both males and females; males were significantly heavier than females at 2 years of age and older. Length and girth increased for both sexes until 5 years of age with significant differences between the sexes occurring at approximately 4 years for girth and 5 years for length. |
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