Anti-predator behaviour of maternal caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in west-central Newfoundland
Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2008. Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Includes bibliographical references (leaves 84-94) Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) calf survival largely depends on the physiological condition and behaviour of the mother, and her resulting ability to provide h...
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ftmemorialunivdc:oai:collections.mun.ca:theses4/102900 2023-05-15T17:23:33+02:00 Anti-predator behaviour of maternal caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in west-central Newfoundland Soulliere, Colleen Evelyn, 1974- Memorial University of Newfoundland. Faculty of Science; Canada--Newfoundland and Labrador; 2008 ix, 94 leaves : ill. Image/jpeg; Application/pdf http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/theses4/id/102900 Eng eng Electronic Theses and Dissertations (10.94 MB) -- http://collections.mun.ca/PDFs/theses/Soulliere_ColleenE.pdf a2544240 http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/theses4/id/102900 The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Paper copy kept in the Centre for Newfoundland Studies, Memorial University Libraries Caribou calves--Newfoundland and Labrador Caribou--Newfoundland and Labrador Parental behavior in animals--Newfoundland and Labrador Text 2008 ftmemorialunivdc 2015-08-06T19:22:11Z Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2008. Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Includes bibliographical references (leaves 84-94) Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) calf survival largely depends on the physiological condition and behaviour of the mother, and her resulting ability to provide her calf with nourishment and protect her calf from harm. Calf mortality in Newfoundland's insular herds has increased dramatically in recent years, concurrent with a change in predator guild. Passive (vigilance) and active (response to disturbance) aspects of maternal anti-predator behaviour in the Gaff Topsail herd, west-central Newfoundland, were studied to gain an understanding of their implications for calf survival. -- The group-size effect on vigilance was only observed for adult female caribou engaged in foraging behaviour, indicating a foraging-vigilance trade-off exists (foraging increased and vigilance decreased when competition for local resources increased). Time-activity budgets did not differ between females with calves and those without; however, maternal caribou fed more intensely and were less frequently vigilant. When disturbed, maternal caribou were usually the first individuals to run and, particularly during the peri-calving season, separated from and ran further than other group members. -- Consistent with other evidence, this study supports the hypothesis that Newfoundland's insular caribou are currently facing nutrient stress. The reduction of vigilance in favour of foraging may additively contribute to predation vulnerability of calves. Aspects of maternal caribou response to disturbance indicate low levels of perceived safety but may increase calf vulnerability to stalking or coursing predators. Text Newfoundland studies Rangifer tarandus University of Newfoundland Memorial University of Newfoundland: Digital Archives Initiative (DAI) Newfoundland Canada |
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Open Polar |
collection |
Memorial University of Newfoundland: Digital Archives Initiative (DAI) |
op_collection_id |
ftmemorialunivdc |
language |
English |
topic |
Caribou calves--Newfoundland and Labrador Caribou--Newfoundland and Labrador Parental behavior in animals--Newfoundland and Labrador |
spellingShingle |
Caribou calves--Newfoundland and Labrador Caribou--Newfoundland and Labrador Parental behavior in animals--Newfoundland and Labrador Soulliere, Colleen Evelyn, 1974- Anti-predator behaviour of maternal caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in west-central Newfoundland |
topic_facet |
Caribou calves--Newfoundland and Labrador Caribou--Newfoundland and Labrador Parental behavior in animals--Newfoundland and Labrador |
description |
Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2008. Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Includes bibliographical references (leaves 84-94) Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) calf survival largely depends on the physiological condition and behaviour of the mother, and her resulting ability to provide her calf with nourishment and protect her calf from harm. Calf mortality in Newfoundland's insular herds has increased dramatically in recent years, concurrent with a change in predator guild. Passive (vigilance) and active (response to disturbance) aspects of maternal anti-predator behaviour in the Gaff Topsail herd, west-central Newfoundland, were studied to gain an understanding of their implications for calf survival. -- The group-size effect on vigilance was only observed for adult female caribou engaged in foraging behaviour, indicating a foraging-vigilance trade-off exists (foraging increased and vigilance decreased when competition for local resources increased). Time-activity budgets did not differ between females with calves and those without; however, maternal caribou fed more intensely and were less frequently vigilant. When disturbed, maternal caribou were usually the first individuals to run and, particularly during the peri-calving season, separated from and ran further than other group members. -- Consistent with other evidence, this study supports the hypothesis that Newfoundland's insular caribou are currently facing nutrient stress. The reduction of vigilance in favour of foraging may additively contribute to predation vulnerability of calves. Aspects of maternal caribou response to disturbance indicate low levels of perceived safety but may increase calf vulnerability to stalking or coursing predators. |
author2 |
Memorial University of Newfoundland. Faculty of Science; |
format |
Text |
author |
Soulliere, Colleen Evelyn, 1974- |
author_facet |
Soulliere, Colleen Evelyn, 1974- |
author_sort |
Soulliere, Colleen Evelyn, 1974- |
title |
Anti-predator behaviour of maternal caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in west-central Newfoundland |
title_short |
Anti-predator behaviour of maternal caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in west-central Newfoundland |
title_full |
Anti-predator behaviour of maternal caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in west-central Newfoundland |
title_fullStr |
Anti-predator behaviour of maternal caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in west-central Newfoundland |
title_full_unstemmed |
Anti-predator behaviour of maternal caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in west-central Newfoundland |
title_sort |
anti-predator behaviour of maternal caribou (rangifer tarandus) in west-central newfoundland |
publishDate |
2008 |
url |
http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/theses4/id/102900 |
op_coverage |
Canada--Newfoundland and Labrador; |
geographic |
Newfoundland Canada |
geographic_facet |
Newfoundland Canada |
genre |
Newfoundland studies Rangifer tarandus University of Newfoundland |
genre_facet |
Newfoundland studies Rangifer tarandus University of Newfoundland |
op_source |
Paper copy kept in the Centre for Newfoundland Studies, Memorial University Libraries |
op_relation |
Electronic Theses and Dissertations (10.94 MB) -- http://collections.mun.ca/PDFs/theses/Soulliere_ColleenE.pdf a2544240 http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/theses4/id/102900 |
op_rights |
The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. |
_version_ |
1766113296010706944 |