Postrelease Dispersal of Reintroduced Elk (Cervus elaphus) in Ontario,Canada

We studied 2 years of postrelease telemetry data of elk (Cervus elaphus) translocated to their historic range limit in Ontario, Canada and sought to determine if postrelease movements were related to behavior, demography of released animals, or site–specific attributes such as length of holding period. During 1998–2004 we radio‐tracked 341 elk in 10 release groups via ground and aerial telemetry and monitored movement patterns relative to gender, age, and pre‐release holding period (4–112 days). We found that elk that were held for short periods prior to release (4–11 days) moved longer distances than those subject to extended conditioning (17–112 days), suggesting that an extended conditioning period is beneficial from the standpoint of promoting philopatry. When all elk were pooled by sex and age class, male calves remained in closer proximity (8.0 ± 13.2 km) to release sites than adult females (19.1 ± 20.6 km), adult males (19.7 ± 15.1 km), and female calves (14.4 ± 20.4 km). Most calves dispersed in a southeasterly direction whereas adults tended to travel southwest. Our results reveal that elk movement characteristics are influenced by factors such as release protocol and group demographics; these findings provide further insight regarding appropriate release methods for restoring natural populations near their historical range limit.     

Patterns of Mortality and Factors Influencing Survival of a Recently Restored Elk Population in Ontario,Canada

This study examined patterns of mortality and determinants of survival among elk recently restored to four sites in Ontario, Canada (1998–2005). We predicted that: (1) elk located in release sites closer to the core of their historic range would have higher survival; (2) survival would increase as an animal's time and experience on the landscape increased; and (3) survival rates would decline as animals moved farther away from the release site. During the study, 443 elk were radiocollared and released; 218 mortalities were documented. Predation by wolves was the most important proximate cause of mortality, followed by death due to injuries from translocation and/or capture myopathy, accidents, emaciation, poaching, and Parelaphostrongylus tenuis infection. Overall, annual survival of elk across Ontario ranged from 0.45 (0.37–0.53) to 0.81 (0.66–0.90), with rates being lowest in the years immediately following release and highest in the final years of the study; this pattern was due to high initial mortality from translocation injuries and/or capture myopathy and possibly lack of familiarity with novel habitat. Model‐averaged hazards further support this finding, as the most important factor influencing elk survival was the length of holding period, with elk released after limited holding being less likely to survive than those held for longer periods. Our results suggest that mortalities caused by capture myopathy and transportation‐related injuries are important sources of risk for translocated elk. The method of introduction to the novel landscape and behavior in the first year should be accommodated via soft‐release and appropriate release areas.     

Development of a Sightability Model for Low-Density Elk Populations in Ontario,Canada

ABSTRACT The status of recolonizing elk (Cervus elaphus) populations in Ontario, Canada, is unclear and there is a need for effective population survey methods that can be applied locally. We sought to develop a sightability model that could account for both low densities of elk and dense forest cover in elk-release areas in Ontario. We corrected winter aerial survey counts for sightability based on radiocollared animals known to be within observable distance of the aircraft. The multivariate model with the highest Akaike's Information Criterion corrected for sample size weight (w_i = 0.427) revealed that elk group size, elk activity, dominant tree type, percent canopy cover, and percent conifer cover were significant predictors of elk sightability. The group-size effect indicated that odds of sighting an elk increased by 1.353 (95% CI = 0.874-3.689) for every additional elk. Standing elk were 5.033 (95% CI = 0.936-15.541) times more likely to be observed than were resting elk, and those located in conifer cover were 0.013 (95% CI = 0.001-0.278) times less likely to be sighted than elk in deciduous cover. Furthermore, elk located in >50% canopy cover and >50% conifer cover were 0.041 (95% CI = 0.003-0.619) times and 0.484 (95% CI = 0.024-9.721) times less likely to be sighted than elk in more open habitat, respectively. During model validation, observers detected 79% (113/143) of known elk in any given area, and population and sightability model predictions (±90% CI) overlapped with the population estimate, implying that our predictive model was robust. Unsurprisingly, large groups of elk in open habitat increased model precision, which highlights difficulties of counting Ontario elk in their northern range. We conclude that our model provided increased reliability for estimating elk numbers in Ontario compared to existing methods, and that the estimator may be useful in other areas where elk density is low and sightability is poor due to dense forest cover.     

Characterization of 11 polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellites for forensic applications in California elk (Cervus elaphus canadensis)

Eleven polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellite loci have been developed for forensic use in the protection of California elk. Based on a reference sample of elk taken from three races throughout California, the loci consist of 4–9 alleles (average 6.125). Probabilities of identity ( Paetkau et al. 1995 ) range from 0.079 to 0.288, with an overall probability of identity of 1.3 × 10^?9 (one in 7.8 × 10⁸).     

Identifying Sites for Elk Restoration in Arkansas

Abstract: We used spatial data to identify potential areas for elk (Cervus elaphus) restoration in Arkansas. To assess habitat, we used locations of 239 elk groups collected from helicopter surveys in the Buffalo National River area of northwestern Arkansas, USA, from 1992 to 2002. We calculated the Mahalanobis distance (D²) statistic based on the relationship between those elk-group locations and a suite of 9 landscape variables to evaluate winter habitat in Arkansas. We tested model performance in the Buffalo National River area by comparing the D² values of pixels representing areas with and without elk pellets along 19 fixed-width transects surveyed in March 2002. Pixels with elk scat had lower D² values than pixels in which we found no pellets (logistic regression: Wald χ² = 24.37, P < 0.001), indicating that habitat characteristics were similar to those selected by the aerially surveyed elk. Our D² model indicated that the best elk habitat primarily occurred in northern and western Arkansas and was associated with areas of high landscape heterogeneity, heavy forest cover, gently sloping ridge tops and valleys, low human population density, and low road densities. To assess the potential for elk-human conflicts in Arkansas, we used the analytical hierarchy process to rank the importance of 8 criteria based on expert opinion from biologists involved in elk management. The biologists ranked availability of forage on public lands as having the strongest influence on the potential for elk-human conflict (33%), followed by human population growth rate (22%) and the amount of private land in row crops (18%). We then applied those rankings in a weighted linear summation to map the relative potential for elk-human conflict. Finally, we used white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) densities to identify areas where success of elk restoration may be hampered due to meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) transmission. By combining results of the 3 spatial data layers (i.e., habitat model, elk-human conflict model, deer density), our model indicated that restoration sites located in west-central and north-central Arkansas were most favorable for reintroduction.     

The Influence of Translocation Strategy and Management Practices on the Genetic Variability of a Reestablished Elk (Cervus elaphus) Population

Reintroduction of terrestrial vertebrates with the goal of ecosystem restoration typically establishes small and isolated populations that may experience reduced genetic variability due to founder effects and genetic drift. Understanding the genetic structure of these populations and maintaining adequate genetic diversity is important for long‐term restoration success. We quantified genetic variability at six microsatellite loci for a reintroduced population of Cervus elaphus (elk) restored to the tallgrass prairie ecosystem of northeastern Kansas. Allelic richness, observed and expected heterozygosity were intermediate to levels reported in other North American elk populations. Current levels of genetic variability in restored North American elk populations were not well explained by founding population size, number of founding populations, or number of years since the last translocation. Simulation results suggest that the retention of genetic variability in isolated populations is strongly influenced by mating system while also being impacted by temporal variability in population size and population growth rate. Our results have implications for understanding how translocation strategies and post‐reintroduction management may influence genetic variability in restored populations.     

Transfer of bovine microsatellites to the cervine (Cervus elaphus)

Bovine microsatellites were used to amplify DNA of red deer ( Cervus elaphus ). Fourteen of 27 bovine systems (52%) displayed polymorphism, while no (CA)_n-repeat was detected in seven systems and six systems gave no amplificates in red deer. The allele number ranged from 2 to 7, the polymorphism information content between 0.24 and 0.76. The results demonstrate that transfer of microsatellite systems between families of the same order (artiodactyla) is possible. Molecular genetic research will help to clarify the differentiation and ecology of wild animals and will contribute to define criteria needed for the preservation of endangered species.     

A Century of Elk Restoration in Eastern North America

Over a century has passed since elk were extirpated in eastern North America. During that time, numerous attempts to reintroduce elk into eastern North America have resulted in varying degrees of success and failure. An overview of restoration efforts during the last 100 years is presented here with emphasis on the differences in rates of population change among regions and differences in major causes of elk mortality during both the pre‐ and post‐acclimation periods. Approximately 40% of recorded elk reintroduction attempts in eastern North America resulted in failure, with the majority of these having occurred in the first half of the 20th century. Although rates of population change in elk were highly variable, they were not related to founding population size. Major causes of mortality varied among regions and should be considered in future reintroduction attempts.     

新疆马鹿塔里木亚种的现状与保护

新疆马鹿塔里木亚种高度适应荒漠生境, 自20 世纪50 年代以来, 由于自然和人为因素的影响, 种群数量急剧下降。栖息地退缩和片段化不仅导致种群遗传多样性的丧失, 而且也因遗传漂变和近亲繁殖, 不断地加剧了该亚种的濒危程度。为有效的保护该物种, 特提出可行的保护措施建议。     

Microsatellite analysis of North American wapiti (Cervus elaphus) populations

Eleven populations of wapiti (Cervus elaphus) were analysed for genetic diversity using 12 microsatellite loci. Samples were taken from Vancouver Island, British Columbia; Burwash and French River herds in Ontario; Ya Ha Tinda Ranch, Alberta; and Banff, Elk Island, Jasper, Kootenay, Riding Mountain, Yellowstone and Yoho National Parks. Overall, wapiti populations have on average three to four alleles per locus and an average expected heterozygosity that ranged from 25.75 to 52.85%. The greatest genetic distances were observed between the Vancouver population and all other populations. Using the assignment test, Roosevelt wapiti (C. e. roosevelti Merriam 1897) assigned only to the Vancouver Island population. The distance and assignment values suggest a divergence of the Roosevelt wapiti from other populations and support the subspecific status for the Vancouver Island population. No evidence was found for the existence of unique Eastern wapiti (C. e. canadensis Erxleben 1777) in the Burwash or French River herds in Ontario. The overlapping distribution of genotypes from indigenous populations from Riding Mountain, Elk Island and Yellowstone National Parks suggests that wapiti were once a continuous population before settlers decimated their numbers. The lack of differentiation between these populations raises questions about the status of Manitoban (C. e.manitobensis Millais 1915) and Rocky Mountain (C. e.nelsoni Bailey 1935) subspecies.     

Fetal Sex Ratios in Southwestern Montana Elk

ABSTRACT The Trivers-Willard (1973) model suggests maternal control of offspring sex, in utero or by the end of parental investment, may be an adaptive advantage in some species. We tested for differential sex allocation using 11,408 known-sex fetal elk (Cervus elaphus) from biological collections and hunter harvest returns from 2 southwestern Montana, USA, elk populations (1961–2007). We included maternal and environmental condition covariates measured pre- and postconception and throughout pregnancy. Results suggested that adult female elk in southwest Montana did not differentially invest in male offspring when conditions were beneficial. We found evidence that, when the Northern Yellowstone elk herd was at low density, beneficial spring (May-Jun) growing conditions, as indexed by a local precipitation measure and a regional drought indicator, correlated with production of more female fetuses (1 SD increase in precipitation and 1 SD decrease in drought resulted in 6% and 5% more F fetuses, respectively). In the same herd, we found evidence that improved maternal condition, as indexed by kidney fat mass and heart fat mass, also correlated with production of more female fetuses (1 SD increase in kidney fat mass and heart fat mass resulted in 8% more F fetuses). When the same elk herd reached higher densities under different ecological conditions, no covariate was associated with a deviation in the 50:50 female-to-male sex ratio. Similarly, there was no association between covariates and fetal sex ratios in a nearby elk herd at high population density. In modeling, wildlife managers should consider factors that could alter sex ratios at birth, and also how biased sex ratios postpartum could affect population models.     

Influences on Release-Site Fidelity of Translocated Elk

Several eastern states are considering the restoration of free‐ranging elk populations via translocation from western populations. Optimal habitat immediately surrounding release sites has been found to enhance elk reintroduction success in western states. Little information exists, however, to aid eastern managers in identifying release sites with the highest chance of restoration success. We monitored the movements of 415 translocated elk released at three sites in southeastern Kentucky to identify landscape characteristics that enhance release‐site fidelity. The distance elk moved after release differed among sites (F_2,322 = 4.63, p = 0.01), age classes (F_2,322 = 4.37, p = 0.01), and time intervals (F_2,322 = 40.74, p < 0.001). At 6 and 12 months post‐release, adults (15.81 ± 17.32 and 16.38 ± 20.29) and yearlings (13.91 ± 16.44 and 14.61 ± 21.11) moved farther than calves (8.06 ± 14.03 and 9.37 ± 14.40). The release site with the highest fidelity was privately owned, 15% open, and had the highest amount of edge compared with the other release sites. The two remaining sites contained large amounts of expansive openland or forest cover with lower amounts of edge. Additionally, both sites were publicly owned and experienced a higher degree of human‐generated disturbance compared with the site to which elk were most faithful. When selecting release sites, managers should avoid areas dominated by a single cover type with little interspersion of other habitats. Rather, areas with high levels of open‐forest edge (approximately 5.0 km/km²) and limited‐human disturbance will likely enhance release‐site fidelity and promote restoration success.     

贺兰山马鹿冬季食性分析

2003年11月-2004年2月在宁夏贺兰山国家级自然保护区和内蒙古贺兰山国家级自然保护区,利用粪便显微组织学分析技术结合野外啃食调查对马鹿阿拉善亚种(Cervus elaphus alxaicus)冬季食性进行了研究.从7个沟系中一共收集了219堆马鹿粪便中捡拾粪粒,组成14个复合样本进行分析,其结果表明,灰榆(27.37%)、山杨(11.75%)、蒙古扁桃(9.83%)、金露梅(8.12%)、锦鸡儿(6.52%)等植物的当年枝和落叶以及禾本科草本植物(7.51%)是马鹿冬季主要食物,其中灰榆为大宗食物,针叶树种(杜松、油松、青海云杉)和其他草本植物所占比例均较小.马鹿对灰榆、山杨、蒙占扁桃、金露梅、锦鸡儿和杜松有正选择性;而对禾本科草本植物、油松和青海云杉有负选择性.马鹿对它们选择性的强弱顺序为:山杨＞杜松＞锦鸡儿＞蒙古扁桃＞金露梅＞灰榆＞禾本科草本植物＞油松＞青海云杉.马鹿取食乔木36.8%、灌木44.7%、禾本科草本植物8.0%和非禾本科草本植物10.5%,这4类植物的利用性与可利用性存在极显著差异,乔木和灌木的利用性高于可利用性;禾本科草本植物和非禾本科草本植物的利用性低于可利用性,说明马鹿的食物以木本植物镲为主,草本植物为辅.Spearman相关分析得出马鹿对食物的选择性与水分、灰分、粗蛋白、粗脂肪、粗纤维和无氮浸出物之间无明显的相关关系.被啃食植物中粗蛋白含量较高,蛋白质不是越冬马鹿的限制因子,而能量可能是影响冬季马鹿采食较为关键的因子.马鹿冬季采食策略主要是以最小的能量消耗获取最大的能量收益.     

Phylogeography of red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Europe

Aim To investigate the phylogeographical patterns of red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Europe, and to disentangle the influence of ancient (e.g. Pleistocene ice ages) from more recent processes (e.g. human translocations). Location Europe. Methods In this study we provide by far the most extensive analysis of genetic structure in European red deer, based on analyses of variation at two mitochondrial markers (cyt b and D‐loop) in a large number of individuals from 39 locations. Relationships of mitochondrial DNA haplotypes were determined using minimum spanning networks and phylogenetic analyses. Population structure was examined by analyses of molecular variance. Historical processes shaping the present patterns were inferred from nested clade analysis and nucleotide diversity statistics. Results Within Europe, we detected three deeply divergent mitochondrial DNA lineages. The three lineages displayed a phylogeographical pattern dividing individuals into western European, eastern European and Mediterranean (Sardinia, Spain and Africa) groups, suggesting contraction into three separate refugia during the last glaciation. Few haplotypes were shared among these three groups, a finding also confirmed by F_ST values. Calculations of divergence times suggest that the groups probably split during the Pleistocene. Main conclusions The observed pattern is interpreted to result from isolation in different refugia during the last glaciation. The western and eastern European lineages could be linked to an Iberian and Balkan refugium, respectively. The third lineage might originate from a Sardinian or African refugium. We link local phylogeographical patterns observed in Europe to the post‐glacial recolonization process, shaped by the geographical localization of refugia and barriers to gene flow. Regardless of the importance of red deer as a game species and the tradition of translocating red deer in Europe, we detected few individuals that did not match the trichotomous pattern, suggesting that translocations have occurred mainly at smaller spatial scales.     

Variable extent of hybridization between invasive sika (Cervus nippon) and native red deer (C. elaphus) in a small geographical area

Instances of hybridization between endemic and alien species pose a threat to species integrity but also provide us with an opportunity to study the dynamics of gene flow between two species as they first meet. Here, we used variation at 22 highly differentiated microsatellite loci and one mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) marker in a sample of 735 individuals, to investigate the genetic consequences of an introduction of Japanese sika deer ( Cervus nippon ) for native red deer ( C. elaphus ) on the Kintyre Peninsula in Scotland. We investigated population structure, estimated null-allele frequency and assigned individual hybrid scores using a Bayesian clustering algorithm implemented in structure 2.2. The dataset clearly divided into two clusters and generally, introgression into red and sika was low. However at one site, West Loch Awe, 43% of individuals were hybrids. MtDNA introgression indicated that hybridization was occurring between red-deer hinds and sika-deer stags. We argue that the pattern of differential introgression across the study area is primarily due to the rarity of hybridization events between the two species and the limited time the two species have been in contact (< 120 years). This contrasts with the causes of classic mosaic hybrid zones (selection induced by habitat variability). Currently, it seems possible that, in time, the level of hybridization found at West Loch Awe could also be found across the whole of the peninsula.     

保护新疆马鹿塔里木亚种的建议

马鹿塔里木亚种分布于新疆塔里木盆地各沿河地带,强度适应荒漠生境。采用分子系统学方法研究表明,世界马鹿分为东西两大系统,马鹿塔里木亚种是我国唯一属于西部系统的亚种。在中国濒危动物红皮书中被列为濒危(E)亚种,按国际自然与自然资源保护联盟(IUCN)1993年制定的世界物种红色名录濒危定级标准,属于极危级(EN)。自20世纪50年代以来,由于自然和人为因素的影响,种群数量急骤下降,现今马鹿塔里木亚种在塔河流域被隔离为莎雅、尉犁和且末3个小种群,当前该亚种正受到栖息地减小和片断化的双重影响,而且因遗传漂变和近亲繁殖的不断增加也进一步加剧它的濒危程度。为有效保护该物种特提出可行的保护建议。     

吉林黄泥河自然保护区马鹿冬季栖息地选择

2009年12月～2010年1月,在黄泥河自然保护区采用样带法对马鹿冬季栖息地选择进行了研究。共设置了47条样带,调查了72个马鹿利用样方和109个对照样方。结果表明,在黄泥河自然保护区冬季马鹿喜欢选择针阔混交林、食物丰富度和灌丛盖度较高、中等坡度和隐蔽级、远离人为干扰源的生境,避开选择阴坡和针叶林。逻辑斯蒂回归分析揭示坡度、隐蔽级、食物丰富度、坡向、人为干扰距离和林型是影响马鹿栖息地选择的主导因子,灌丛盖度为次要因子。回归模型为:Z=-53.391+0.194×坡度+0.352×隐蔽级+0.5×食物丰富度-0.071×灌丛盖度+1.064×坡向(1)+6.11×坡向(2)+0.004×人为干扰距离+17.305×林型(1)+7.147×林型(2),选择利用概率P(z)=ez/(1+ez),模型正确预测率为94.5%。     

贺兰山区马鹿对冬季生境的选择性

2003年11—12月,在贺兰山采用样带法对马鹿阿拉善亚种的生境选择性做了研究。在选定的25条样带上一共测定了87个利用样方以及50个任意样方的14种生态因子(植被类型、优势乔木、坡向、坡位、食物丰富度、乔木密度、灌木密度、坡度、海拔高度、雪深、水源距离、人为干扰距离、裸岩距离和隐蔽级)。结果表明,马鹿对4种生态因子有选择性：①植被类型：偏好利用山地草原带和山地针叶林带,避免选择亚高山灌丛和草甸带;②优势乔木：偏好利用混合型的生境,避免选择杜松、油松和无树的生境;③坡向：偏好位于阳坡的生境,避免利用阴坡;④坡位：偏好位于下坡位的生境,避免选择上坡位和中坡位。对利用样方和任意样方进行比较,发现马鹿的利用样方以灌木密度高、食物丰富、坡度小、接近水源、雪覆盖浅、远离裸岩和人为干扰为主要特征。对各种生态因子的主成分分析表明前6个主成分的累积贡献率已经达到了84．89％,可以较好地反映马鹿的生境特征。第1主成分反映出马鹿在选择生态因子方面与植被类型、乔木密度、灌木密度、坡向、坡度、距水源距离、雪深、海拔高度正相关。