Survival of Adult Martens in Northern Wisconsin

Abstract: Low adult marten (Martes americana) survival may be one factor limiting their population growth >30 yr after their reintroduction in Wisconsin, USA. We estimated annual adult marten survival at 0.81 in northern Wisconsin, with lower survival during winter (0.87) than summer-fall (1.00). Fisher (Martes pennanti) and raptor kills were infrequent, and each reduced marten adult annual survival <10%. Annual adult survival was similar to or higher than survival in other areas, suggesting that it was not unusually low and therefore did not limit recovery of marten populations in northern Wisconsin. We captured few juvenile martens, suggesting low reproduction or reduced juvenile survival.     

Postbranding Survival of Steller Sea Lion Pups at Lowrie Island in Southeast Alaska

ABSTRACT Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) pups (n = 366) were hot-branded at Lowrie Island, Southeast Alaska, USA, in June 2001 and 2002 for vital-rates studies. To assess potential mortality following branding, we estimated weekly survival to 12 weeks postbranding using mark-recapture models. Survival estimates ranged from 0.984/week to 0.988/week, or 0.868 over the 12-week period; varied little with sex, year, and capture area; and were higher for larger than smaller male pups and unexpectedly lower for larger than smaller female pups. Inclusion of resights at 1–3 years of age prevented a −4.5% bias in cumulative survival to 12 weeks postbranding by accounting for pups that survived but permanently emigrated from Lowrie Island during the 12-week survey. Data from double-marked pups (i.e., branded and flipper-tagged) indicated the low brand-misreading probability of 3.1% did not bias survival estimates. Assuming survival differences between the first 2 weeks postbranding and later weeks were due entirely to the branding event, potential postbranding mortality of branded pups attributable to the branding event was 0.5–0.7%, or one pup for every 200 marked. Weekly survival of branded pups was nearly identical to estimates from a control group of undisturbed, unbranded pups born to 10–11-year-old branded adult females in 2005 (0.987–0.988/week) and similar to pup survival estimates from other otariid studies. Available data did not indicate substantial mortality to 12 weeks postbranding resulting from the branding disturbance, suggesting branding of Steller sea lion pups can be used effectively for investigations of population declines without significantly affecting population health or study goals.     

黄土丘陵区不同生境沙棘种群数量动态分析

在黄土高原匠陵沟壑区对阳坡,半阳坡．半阴坡,阴坡四个生境条件下,列经过13年发育的沙棘种群动态、大小结构等进行了系统研究,编制了静态生命表,分析了仔活曲线和死亡曲线。结果表明,黄土高原丘陵沟壑区不同生境的沙棘种群基本属于进展型或稳定型,幼龄个体多,中老龄个体少。不同生境的种群密度存在差异。其中阴坡种群密度最大;不同坡向种群生命表显示,种群在Ⅰ、Ⅱ径级时死亡率较高,随着年龄增加。死亡率逐渐降低,但到了Ⅴ,Ⅵ径级．由于生理衰老死亡率又上升;种群期望寿命在Ⅰ、Ⅱ径级较高,随着年龄增加,期望寿命逐渐下降：不同坡向的沙棘种群的存活曲线均接近于DeeveyⅢ型。沙棘种群动态是环境因素与生物学特性共同作用的结果,其中土壤含水量、人为干扰、土壤有机质影响较大。在黄土高原丘陵沟壑区,沙棘人下种群应该以保护为主．适当抚育的措施。促进群落持续发育。     

极危植物中甸刺玫的分布及种群数量动态

中甸刺玫是云南香格里拉特有的极危植物和著名的高山花卉。通过对其分布及种群现状进行全面系统的调查,绘制了中甸刺玫的地理分布图及基于株高和冠幅的年龄结构图,编制了相应的种群静态生命表并绘制了相应的存活曲线。结果表明,除人工引种保存的69株个体外,中甸刺玫自然分布在香格里拉县小中甸镇沿硕多岗河的狭长型地带内,现有自然分布点44个,植株562株,其中幼苗61株。大多数分布地点仅有1至几株成年植株,几乎没有更新。个体数多的分布点中植株的表型变异较大,花型、瓣性和花色等丰富。中甸刺玫Ⅱ龄级至Ⅴ龄级的个体数较多,幼苗和老年个体较少,种群年龄结构在一段时间内比较稳定,但长远来说处于衰退状态。中甸刺玫的死亡率随着龄级的增加而增加,株高结构中存活数在Ⅱ龄级最高,冠幅结构中存活数则在Ⅲ龄级最高,随着龄级的增加存活数降低。     

Population dynamics of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in Guadeloupe,French Caribbean: A mark-recapture study from 2001 to 2013

Sperm whales are present along the Caribbean islands in family groups of mature females, juveniles, and newborns. Their abundance and demographic rates remain poorly known. Using photo-identification data, we estimated the abundance and annual survival of sperm whales in Guadeloupe from January to April 2001–2013. A total of 1,492 photographs of tail flukes were scored (ranging from 1 to 5) in terms of quality (Q) and marking (M) level. A total of 789 photographs were selected with Q ≥ 3 and M ≥ 3, corresponding to 109 individually identified adult females or immatures of both sexes. Capture histories were built and analyzed using the Pollock's robust design capture-mark-recapture model. The study consisted of 13 primary periods sequenced in 5–8 secondary periods. Mean annual survival rate of residents was 0.945, 95% CI [0.864, 0.979]. Abundance varied between years from 75 to 35 individuals. The geometric growth rate over the period 2001–2013 was 0.938, 95% CI [0.878, 0.997], suggesting a population decline of −6.2%/year. Sperm whales are moving between Guadeloupe and Dominica, with a high temporary emigration rate (0.163) and 50% of the individuals of Guadeloupe resighted in Dominica. These results highlight the fragility of the population and the necessity to consider it as one unit.     

广东内伶仃岛猕猴种群年龄结构及发展趋势

根据1997年1月至2000年12月的野外观察,对内伶仃岛猕猴种群年龄结构及发展趋势进行了研究,结果表明（1）内伶钉岛猕猴种群雄性比为1：98,各年龄组性比幼年组为1：1．07,青年组为1L0．93,中壮年组为1：0．6,中老年组为1：0．57,老年组为1：1．14;（2）列出了猕猴种群年龄结构图,确定了年增长率为6．9％,种群数量的动态公式是Nt=200e^0.069t;(3)预测了未来10a的猕猴种群的数量和发展,种群数量从2001年到2010年增长到1200头左右;（4）内伶仃岛猕猴种群发展的最适容纳量为900－1100头（平均1000头）。     

Correlates of Mortality in an Exploited Wolf Population

Abstract We investigated the influence of habitat use on risk of death from hunting and trapping of 55 radiocollared gray wolves (Canis lupus) from an exploited insular population in Southeast Alaska, USA. We compared mortality rates for resident and nonresident wolves and used Cox proportional hazards regression to relate habitat composition within 100-m circular buffers around radiolocations to risk of death of resident and nonresident wolves. In addition, we included covariates representing distances to roads, logged stands, and lakes and streams in those analyses. We also compiled harvest data from 31 harvest units within the study area to compare densities of roads and distances from human settlements with rates of harvest. During our study 39 wolves died, of which 18 were harvested legally, 16 were killed illegally, and 5 died from natural causes. Legal and illegal harvest accounted for >87% of the mortality of radiocollared resident and nonresident wolves. Mean annual survival was 0.54 (SE = 0.17) for all wolves. Annual survival was 0.65 (SE = 0.17) for resident wolves and 0.34 (SE = 0.17) for nonresidents. Very few (19%) nonresident wolves survived to colonize vacant territories or join existing wolf packs. Roads, muskegs, and distances from lakes and streams were covariates positively associated with death of resident wolves. Clear-cuts were positively associated with risk of death of nonresident wolves. Rate of harvest increased with density of roads; however, road densities >0.9 km/km² had little additional effect on harvest rates. Harvest rates decreased with ocean distances from nearest towns or settlements. Roads clearly increased risk of death for wolves from hunting and trapping and contributed to unsustainable rates of harvest. Wildlife managers should consider effects of roads and other habitat features on harvest of wolves when developing harvest recommendations. They should expect substantial illegal harvest where wolf habitat is accessible to humans. Moreover, high rates of mortality of nonresident wolves exposed to legal and illegal harvest may reduce or delay successful dispersal, potentially affecting linkages between small disjunct wolf populations or population segments. We conclude that a combination of conservative harvest regulations and large roadless reserves likely are the most effective measures for conserving wolves where risks from human-caused mortality are high.     

Home Range and Population Density of Fishers in Eastern Ontario

Abstract: Fishers (Martes pennanti) were almost extirpated in Ontario, Canada, south of the French and Mattawa rivers by the 1940s but have recolonized much of their former range over the past several decades. We assessed the effect of the current harvest quota on a fisher population in eastern Ontario by estimating home range size and population density from a sample of radiocollared animals. Mean (± SD) adult home ranges (based on annual 95% min. convex polygons) were consistently smaller than those reported in the literature (M: 11 ± 4.4 km²; F: 2.1 ± 0.8 km²), with up to 71% overlap of adjacent intrasexual home ranges. This yielded an estimated adult fisher population density of 32.7/100 km² of suitable habitat, as defined by the habitat composition within observed home ranges. We further estimated that between 2003 and 2005, trappers harvested 17.8-42.3% of the pretrapping population. These results suggest that although current fisher population density is high in our study area compared to reported densities in other areas, harvest rate is also high and an increase in quota is unwarranted.     

Factors affecting harvests of fishers and American martens in northern michigan

Harvest data (e.g., number of animals harvested, trapper effort) are an important source of information for state wildlife agencies to manage harvested furbearers. These data provide evidence to support adapting harvest regulations when necessary. Setting appropriate harvest regulations for fishers (Martes pennanti) and American martens (Martes americana) is critical, as these species often exist at low densities, are sensitive to timber-management practices and trapper-harvest, and experience some level of interspecific predation and competition in sympatric populations. We estimated effects of management (e.g., number of fishers or martens harvested per trapper per season [harvest limit], season length) and extrinsic (e.g., weather, pelt prices) factors on regulated harvests of fishers and martens in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan during 1996–2007. We used generalized linear mixed models in an information-theoretic approach (quasi-likelihood adjusted Akaike Information Criterion [QAIC]) to discern which factors most strongly influenced fisher and marten harvests. For harvest of fishers, the 3 QAIC-best models included harvest limit, season length, and number of trappers, suggesting that regulatory changes within the ranges tested may be implemented to influence harvest. The QAIC-best model (harvest limit) contained 26% of the weight of evidence, and using an independent subset of data, showed no difference between model predictions and harvest data. In contrast, harvest of martens was not strongly influenced by any factors we tested. Possible reasons for a lack of measurable effects while modeling harvest of martens include a low harvest limit (i.e., 1 marten) or incidental harvest of martens by fisher or bobcat (Lynx rufus) trappers. Knowledge of influences on harvest will lead to informed decision-making when managers are setting harvest regulations, particularly for low-density furbearers. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.     

退化典型草原狼毒种群结构与数量动态

狼毒(Stellera chamaejasme)是我国退化草原上常见的一种毒害草,在一些退化严重的草原上可能形成以狼毒为优势种的群落,严重影响我国天然草原畜牧业的可持续发展。本文根据狼毒的枝条数将狼毒种群划分成10个龄级(Ⅰ～Ⅹ),研究了坝上地区退化典型草原狼毒种群的年龄结构、种群结构动态指数、种群静态生命表、存活曲线及生存分析,量化狼毒种群的生存状况。结果表明: 研究区内狼毒种群年龄结构呈增长型,狼毒幼苗充足但存活率不高;狼毒种群结构呈增长型,但种群发展过程存在波动性,特别是在第Ⅱ、Ⅷ龄级时个体数量会发生骤降,是狼毒种群自身发展的瓶颈时期;狼毒种群的存活曲线为Deevey-Ⅱ型,但生存分析表明狼毒种群具有前期锐减、后期稳定的特点,主要因为Ⅰ或Ⅱ龄级狼毒的死亡密度函数(f_x)和危险率(λ_x)最大。Ⅰ龄级个体充足是狼毒种群在退化典型草原扩张的基础,但幼龄个体的转化率低可能是狼毒种群在草原退化早期无法快速扩张的原因之一。建议在草原退化早期狼毒数量有限时及早介入进行防除。     

武夷山米槠种群结构及谱分析

在武夷山自然保护区对米槠种群数量动态进行了系统研究,编制了静态生命表,分析了存活曲线和死亡曲线,同时应用谱分析方法分析种群数量的动态变化。结果表明,武夷山自然保护区米槠种群基本属于进展型或稳定型,幼龄级个体多,中老龄级个体少。不同海拔的种群密度存在差异,其中C种群密度最大;静态生命表显示,种群在Ⅰ、Ⅱ径级时死亡率较高,随着年龄增加,死亡率逐渐降低,但到了Ⅳ、Ⅴ径级,由于生理衰老死亡率又上升;种群期望寿命在Ⅰ、Ⅱ径级较高,随着年龄增加,期望寿命逐渐下降;不同海拔的米槠种群的存活曲线均接近于Deevey Ⅲ 型。米槠种群自然更新过程存在明显的周期。     

黄土高原文冠果种群结构及其时间序列预测

本研究通过样地调查和数据统计,根据群落中各物种的重要值对陕西黄土高原地区文冠果种群的群落类型进行划分,并编制了不同生境下文冠果种群的静态生命表,绘制出存活曲线,同时运用时间序列模型预测种群数量动态。结果表明:陕西黄土高原地区的天然文冠果群落可划分为5个类型;总体而言,该地区文冠果种群中Ⅰ龄级个体所占比例较高,属于增长型种群;不同群落中的文冠果种群,其年龄结构和存活曲线也有所不同。时间序列分析表明,在未来10、15和20年中,不同文冠果种群的变化趋势是有差别的,其中文冠果-扁核木-铁杆蒿群落的文冠果种群、文冠果-酸枣-苔草群落的文冠果种群与种群总和变化趋势相似,都属于增长型种群,而文冠果纯林群落的文冠果种群、榆树+文冠果-茶条槭-苔草群落的文冠果种群和狼牙刺-牛皮消+臭草群落的文冠果种群属于衰退型种群。建议加强对衰退种群的管理,实现文冠果的可持续利用。     

Distribution, Ecology and Population Dynamics of the American Burying Beetle [Nicrophorus Americanus Olivier (Coleoptera, Silphidae)] in South-central Nebraska, USA

The endangered American burying beetle, Nicrophorus americanus Olivier, was previously widespread throughout eastern North America. In the past century numbers of this beetle have drastically declined and currently remnant populations are known from only six states despite intensive surveying efforts conducted for the last nine years. Efforts aimed at discovering and managing remnant populations have been generally limited by a lack of knowledge concerning N. americanus biology. We used baited pitfall traps to define the range of the Gothenburg, Nebraska population of N. americanus. Using mark-recapture techniques, we estimate that the annual Gothenburg population consists of more than one thousand individuals, meeting the recovery plan criterion to become the third breeding population in the Midwest region. Beyond estimates of population size and range, we present novel data on seasonal and daily activity, sex ratio, age-grading and foraging distances. In 1995 and 1996, the Nebraska population was univoltine and female biased, with over-wintering mature beetles emerging in early June and teneral beetles emerging in August. Nocturnal activity was highest in the third and fourth hours following sunset but was not strongly correlated with temperature. During foraging, beetles travel up to six kilometers, but the majority of our recaptures occurred at distances of less than 0.5 km, suggesting that distances between traps be increased to ensure independence of sampling units. This information will allow future work on captive breeding, re-introduction and genetic studies.     

Contrasting Patterns of Demography and Population Viability Among Gopher Tortoise Populations in Alabama

Population viability analyses are useful tools to predict abundance and extinction risk for imperiled species. In southeastern North America, the federally threatened gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is a keystone species in the diverse and imperiled longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystem, and researchers have suggested that tortoise populations are declining and characterized by high extinction risk. We report results from a 30-year demographic study of gopher tortoises in southern Alabama (1991–2020), where 3 populations have been stable and 3 others have declined. To better understand the demographic vital rates associated with stable and declining tortoise populations, we used a multi-state hierarchical mark-recapture model to estimate sex- and stage-specific patterns of demographic vital rates at each population. We then built a predictive population model to project population dynamics and evaluate extinction risk in a population viability context. Population structure did not change significantly in stable populations, but juveniles became less abundant in declining populations over 30 years. Apparent survival varied by age, sex, and site; adults had higher survival than juveniles, but female survival was substantially lower in declining populations than in stable ones. Using simulations, we predicted that stable populations with high female survival would persist over the next 100 years but sites with lower female survival would decline, become male-biased, and be at high risk of extirpation. Stable populations were most sensitive to changes in apparent survival of adult females. Because local populations varied greatly in vital rates, our analysis improves upon previous demographic models for northern populations of gopher tortoises by accounting for population-level variation in demographic patterns and, counter to previous model predictions, suggests that small tortoise populations can persist when habitat is managed effectively. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.     

Winter Fidelity and Apparent Survival of Lesser Snow Goose Populations in the Pacific Flyway

Abstract The Beringia region of the Arctic contains 2 colonies of lesser snow geese (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) breeding on Wrangel Island, Russia, and Banks Island, Canada, and wintering in North America. The Wrangel Island population is composed of 2 subpopulations from a sympatric breeding colony but separate wintering areas, whereas the Banks Island population shares a sympatric wintering area in California, USA, with one of the Wrangel Island subpopulations. The Wrangel Island colony represents the last major snow goose population in Russia and has fluctuated considerably since 1970, whereas the Banks Island population has more than doubled. The reasons for these changes are unclear, but hypotheses include independent population demographics (survival and recruitment) and immigration and emigration among breeding or wintering populations. These demographic and movement patterns have important ecological and management implications for understanding goose population structure, harvest of admixed populations, and gene flow among populations with separate breeding or wintering areas. From 1993 to 1996, we neckbanded molting birds at their breeding colonies and resighted birds on the wintering grounds. We used multistate mark-recapture models to evaluate apparent survival rates, resighting rates, winter fidelity, and potential exchange among these populations. We also compared the utility of face stain in Wrangel Island breeding geese as a predictor of their wintering area. Our results showed similar apparent survival rates between subpopulations of Wrangel Island snow geese and lower apparent survival, but higher emigration, for the Banks Island birds. Males had lower apparent survival than females, most likely due to differences in neckband loss. Transition between wintering areas was low (<3%), with equal movement between northern and southern wintering areas for Wrangel Island birds and little evidence of exchange between the Banks and northern Wrangel Island populations. Face staining was an unreliable indicator of wintering area. Our findings suggest that northern and southern Wrangel Island subpopulations should be considered a metapopulation in better understanding and managing Pacific Flyway lesser snow geese. Yet the absence of a strong population connection between Banks Island and Wrangel Island geese suggests that these breeding colonies can be managed as separate but overlapping populations. Additionally, winter population fidelity may be more important in lesser snow geese than in other species, and both breeding and wintering areas are important components of population management for sympatric wintering populations.     

荒漠珍稀灌木半日花种群的年龄结构与生命表分析

根据对不同坡位的半日花种群的调查资料,分析了其年龄结构,编制了静态生命表,分析了存活曲线和死亡率曲线、损失度曲线,并利用生存分析理论进行了函数分析。结果表明：不同坡位的半日花种群存在下降趋势。幼龄级和老龄级个体少,中龄级个体多。不同坡位的半日花种群密度存在差异,坡上部种群密度最大,坡下部最小,坡中部居中。不同坡位半日花种群在Ⅰ龄级时期望寿命达到最大,并在Ⅶ、Ⅷ龄级时期望寿命出现波动;不同坡位的半日花种群的存活曲线整体上趋于Deevy Ⅱ～Ⅲ型之间;在第Ⅵ~Ⅷ龄级半日花种群死亡率较高,且坡中部和坡下部种群死亡率峰值比坡上部种群滞后一个龄级。生存分析引入生命表中的4个函数能较好地说明不同坡位半日花种群的结构和动态变化。     

Black bears in Southeast Alaska: the fate of two ancient lineages in the face of contemporary movement

Biodiversity across a landscape is a product of both historical events and ongoing contemporary forces. The past and present factors that influence black bear Ursus americanus diversity on the Alexander Archipelago and mainland of Southeast Alaska were investigated by assessing nuclear genetic variation. The natural fragmentation of the region, the high vagility of black bears and their possible recent post-Pleistocene colonization to Southeast Alaska allowed us to discern between past and present forces characterizing diversity. Two known black bear lineages, estimated previously with mitochondrial DNA to have diverged 1.8 million years ago, remained evident in data from more rapidly evolving nuclear genetic markers. Two nuclear genetic clusters geographically correspond to the lineages, suggesting that contemporary movement since colonization (likely beginning 18 000 cybp) has not been sufficient to eliminate genetic differences between the highly divergent lineages. Concomitantly, the clearest pattern of genetic diversity is related to contemporary geographic patterns; contemporary geography differs from geography immediately after deglaciation due to sea-level change. Narrow saltwater straits, expansive ice fields, narrow beach fringes and saltwater inland bays separate genetically distinct groupings of black bears.     

Causes of mortality in South American fur seal pups (Arctophoca australis gracilis) at Guafo Island,southern Chile (2004–2008)

As part of population dynamics studies of the South American fur seal (Arctophoca australis gracilis) rookery at Punta Weather in Guafo Island (43°36'S, 74°43’W), the causes and extent of pup mortality were monitored. During four breeding seasons, daily counts of live and dead pups were carried out to determine pup production and pup mortality. Dead pups were retrieved from the rookery to perform necropsies. The mean pup production was 1,735.5 ± 336 pups and the mean pup mortality up to 12 wk old was 6.0%± 2.6%. The major causes of death were enteritis with microscopic lesions of bacteremia (28.4%), starvation (23.5%), drowning (21%), trauma (19.8%), and stillbirths (2.5%). Enteritis with microscopic lesions of bacteremia, and starvation had higher incidence during January (beginning and middle of the breeding season) while most trauma and drowning occurred during February (end of the breeding season). In the 2006–2007 breeding season there was an increase in mortality due to starvation and trauma. Most pup deaths at Guafo Island are generated by extrinsic factors; therefore, additional studies that assess the impact of environmental changes and fishing activities, are needed in order to determine the exact causes of the decline of this species along Chilean coasts.