Bear-hybrids: behaviour and phenotype |
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Authors: | Alexandra Preuß ,Udo Gansloß er,Ute Magiera |
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Affiliation: | a Zoology, Department of Biology, University of Osnabrück, D-49069 Osnabrück b Zoology Department, University of Greifswald, D-17489 Greifswald c Zoo Osnabrück, D-49082 Osnabrück |
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Abstract: | The behaviour of a female and a male bear hybrid (brown bear Ursus arctos x polar bear Ursus maritimus) was studied. Behavioural and morphological comparisons between the hybrids and the two parent-species were made.The observation period covered July to November 2007. Different objects were offered to the bears to evoke new patterns of behaviour. While manipulating the offered objects, both bears showed elements of behaviour also found in polar bears, though the male performed those to a larger extend. Not only in the way of manipulating objects but also in the male's type of stereotype parallels to polar bears can be drawn. Phenotypically both bears possess features of both species, brown bear and polar bear. Concerning it lighter colour of fur and the structure of hair the female hybrid resembles more a polar bear than the male. Summarising, the female appears phenotypically more like a polar bear, the male with respect to the behaviour. |
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Keywords: | Zoo Osnabrü ck Hybrid brown bear polar bear Ursus behaviour morphology phenotype |
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