Reindeer Rangifer Tarandus Research Articles

Retrospective Estimation of Radiation Load and Its Effect on Some Biological Parameters of Reindeer ( Rangifer tarandus ) from Wrangel Island

The results of the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis of pure tooth enamel and the data on the radionuclide content in bones were used for estimating the radiation load on reindeer that lived on Wrangel Island in the 1970s and early 1980s. Based on the measurements of the lower jaws, some biological parameters of the Wrangel reindeer population were estimated and compared with those in the Novaya Zemlya and Taimyr populations. Changes in only two of these parameters—the degree of root cementum resorption and animal life span–might be attributed to the effect of the radiation load.

Seasonal Changes in Sodium Metabolism in Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in an Inland Area of Norway

Sodium metabolism was studied by isotope dilution techniques infree-ranging reindeer in the Jotunheimen mountain region of southern Norway. In the study three groups of animals were injected intrav...

Seasonal Changes in Sodium Metabolism in Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in an Inland Area of Norway

Sodium metabolism was studied by isotope dilution techniques infree-ranging reindeer in the Jotunheimen mountain region of southern Norway. In the study three groups of animals were injected intravenously with 22NaCl and bled 2–3 times per year. The study lasted from 184 to 993 d in the groups. Flow rates and half times of 22Na in the plasma pool were calculated. The overall results showed half-times for 22Na in winter of 301 d against 107 d in summer (mid May to early September). The difference in metabolic half time reflected large differences in the Na content of the diet. Sodium analyses of 485 plant samples from the study area, and diets constructed from published literature, showed that 1 kg dried summer diet would contain 6 to 7 mmol Na kg−1 and 1 kg winter diet 4.4 mmol Na kg−1. Daily food intakes were calculated from dietary Na content and Na turnover estimates. Female reindeer with 70 kg body mass had an intake of 3.2 to 3.8 kg dry matter in summer and 1.8 kg in winter. We conclude that the Na supply in our area is marginal for reindeer, and that supplementation may enhance reindeer survival and productivity.

The arctic fox (Alopex lagopus): an opportunistic specialist

AbstractReliable and abundant resources are likely to favour specialization, while unpredictable environmental variation should favour a generalist strategy. The rodent population cycles of northern latitudes can be seen as both predictable and unpredictable, depending on the scale in time and space. The arctic foxAlopex lagopusis an opportunistic carnivore, but paradoxically, it seems to function as a specialist on fluctuating rodent Arvicolinae populations in most inland areas. We have studied the dietary response of arctic foxes in Sweden during 5 years of varying abundance of Norwegian lemmingLemmus lemmus, and how these changes influenced the reproductive success of the foxes. The arctic fox population on mainland Fennoscandia is threatened by extinction and the situation has deteriorated during the 1980s and 1990s because of an absence of lemming peaks. Our results showed that in all years, lemming was the main prey for arctic foxes, with 85% frequency of occurrence in summer faeces (scats). Bird remains (mainly Passeriformes) were present in 34% of the scats, reindeerRangifer tarandusin 21%, voles and shrews in 4% and haresLepus timidusin 2% of the scats. The occurrences of lemming, bird and larger mammal (reindeer and hare) remains in the scats varied significantly between years. Temporal variations within summer seasons and dietary differences between sub‐areas, indicated that arctic foxes fed opportunistically on the alternative prey types. Den occupancy rates were positively correlated with lemming population densities during the previous winter, indicating a strong numerical response. We conclude that from a functional aspect, the arctic fox in Sweden is a lemming specialist, since lemming is the main prey and their abundance is the best predictor of arctic fox reproductive success. Other prey are used opportunistically in relation to their availability.

Foraging of lynxes in a managed boreal‐alpine environment

Foraging of Eurasian lynxes Lynx lynx was studied with telemetry and snow tracking in central Norway. In all habitats and at all seasons, medium‐sized ungulates (roe deer Capreolus capreolus, reindeer Rangifer tarandus and domestic sheep Ovis aries) dominated the diet (81% of ingested biomass estimated from faeces). Mountain hares Lepus timidus and galliform birds comprised the remainder of the diet (15% and 3%, respectively). Lynxes with different life history status did not differ in prey choice, but adult males utilised carcasses of ungulate prey considerably less (16% of the edible parts) than did females with offspring (80%) and subadults (58%.). Forest habitats in lowlands and adjacent to cultivated fields were the most favourable foraging habitats (indexed as the prey encounter rate per km lynx track) primarily owing to the presence of roe deer. Two family groups tracked in winter killed 0.2 ungulate per day. The importance of agricultural land as a foraging habitat and the dominance of livestock in the diet in remoter areas indicate that the lynx has responded to agriculture and reindeer husbandry during the past century by switching from smaff game to ungulates.

Reindeer Rangifer tarandus fences as a mortality factor for ptarmigan Lagopus spp.

To assess how important reindeer Rangifer tarandus fences are as a mortality factor for ptarmigan Lagopus spp. we collected data during 1991–1994. Our fieldwork covered 12 different sections of reindeer fence (totalling 71.1 km) in the county of Finnmark, northern Norway. The sections consisted of steel wire, steel netting or a combination of these, and ranged in height from 100 to 250 cm. The fieldwork took the form of spring patrols during which dead birds and their remains were searched for along the fences immediately after snow melt. We covered a total of 179.9 km and found 253 collision victims belonging to at least 20 species. Of the 253 victims found, 215 were willow ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus and rock ptarmigan L. mutus; thus these two species comprised 85% of the victims. During the winters of 1992/93 and 1993/94, we carried out experiments with dummy willow ptarmigan which were placed along fence sections and monitored serving as artificial fencestrike victims. Our experiments showed that approximately 64% of the total number of ptarmigan killed by the fences during winter would be detected during spring patrols along the fences. The type and height of the fence had no effect on the ptarmigan collision rate. In contrast, both the fence section and year factor contributed significantly to the observed variation in collision rate. We estimate that on average 1.4 ± 0.5 (SE) ptarmigan are being killed per kilometre of reindeer fence in Finnmark annually, with a greater variation between fence sections than between years.

The oral anatomy of Arctic ruminants: coping with seasonal changes

AbstractWe studied the feeding apparatus of three species of northern ruminants representative of three feeding types: muskoxen Ovibos moschatus, Norwegian reindeer Rangifer tarandus tarandus and high Arctic Svalbard reindeer Rangifer tarandus platyhrynchus and Siberian musk deer Moschus moschiferus. The shape of the muzzle, the incisor arcade, the incisiform and the molariform teeth indicate that these species are selective feeders, irrespective of their body size or their position on the gazer‐concentrate selector continuum of feeding types. Narrow muzzles seem well adapted for selective feeding on the diminutive but highly nutritious plants, or parts of plants, on tundra swards and Arctic‐alpine meadows and enable the animals to maximize nutrient intake during the short summer. However, their small mouths presumably also restrict reindeer and muskoxen to taking small bites, thereby achieving low rates of dry matter intake when feeding on the very short swards in winter. This is partially obviated by two general strategies; a reduction of energy requirements in winter and, in Norwegian reindeer, migration inland to where foraging conditions are generally more favourable. In Svalbard reindeer, which have little access to lichens or other easy digestible plants in winter, rumen fill increases through the accumulation of slowly fermenting fibrous foods. Despite their narrow muzzles, reindeer and muskoxen are unable to avoid ingesting a certain amount of poor quality forage in winter and cope with this by appropriate modification of digestive function.

The oral anatomy of Arctic ruminants: coping with seasonal changes

We studied the feeding apparatus of three species of northern ruminants representative of three feeding types: muskoxen Ovibos moschatus, Norwegian reindeer Rangifer tarandus tarandus and high Arctic Svalbard reindeer Rangifer tarandus platyhrynchus and Siberian musk deer Moschus moschiferus. The shape of the muzzle, the incisor arcade, the incisiform and the molariform teeth indicate that these species are selective feeders, irrespective of their body size or their position on the gazer-concentrate selector continuum of feeding types. Narrow muzzles seem well adapted for selective feeding on the diminutive but highly nutritious plants, or parts of plants, on tundra swards and Arctic-alpine meadows and enable the animals to maximize nutrient intake during the short summer. However, their small mouths presumably also restrict reindeer and muskoxen to taking small bites, thereby achieving low rates of dry matter intake when feeding on the very short swards in winter. This is partially obviated by two general strategies; a reduction of energy requirements in winter and, in Norwegian reindeer, migration inland to where foraging conditions are generally more favourable. In Svalbard reindeer, which have little access to lichens or other easy digestible plants in winter, rumen fill increases through the accumulation of slowly fermenting fibrous foods. Despite their narrow muzzles, reindeer and muskoxen are unable to avoid ingesting a certain amount of poor quality forage in winter and cope with this by appropriate modification of digestive function.

Diet composition, rumen papillation and maintenance of carcass mass in female Norwegian reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in winter

Diet composition, rumen papillation and maintenance of carcass mass in female Norwegian reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in winter

Loss of deuterium in faecal solids and by sequestration in reindeer: effect on doubly labelled water studies

An underlying assumption when estimating total energy expenditure (TEE) using doubly labelled water (DLW) is that the injected isotopes (lsO and 2H) leave the body only in the form of CO, and H20. However, both isotopes have additional routes of loss. We quantified the loss of 2H (i) attached to faecal solids and (ii) by sequestration into newly synthesised fat in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus). Estimates of the errors caused by these processes were applied to data from DLW studies with reindeer in summer and in winter. Given the net rate of faecal dry matter output and lipid synthesis in the present study, ignoring both sources of error caused the TEE of reindeer to be underestimated by approximately 5% in winter and approximately 9% in summer. The separate effect of each source of error was evaluated in summer. If ignored, loss of 2H through sequestration alone caused TEE to be underestimated by approximately 3.7%. Similarly, if ignored, loss of 2H attached to faecal solids alone caused TEE to be underestimated by approximately 5.9%.

Biological rhythms in Arctic vertebrates

Many biological processes show regular cyclical fluctuations that persist throughout an organism's life; these range from the transcription of DNA to patterns of behaviour. Persistent, cyclical phenomena of this kind are a fundamental feature of all organisms. They are governed primarily by endogenous rhythms generated by a 'biological clock' situated in the brain. Normally, however, the expression of the clock is modulated to a greater or lesser extent by environmental cues. This paper reviews the physiological control of the temporal organisation of cycles in vertebrates and, in particular, explores their regulation in arctic species like reindeer (Rangifer tarandus L.). We emphasise how exposure to the photoperiodic conditions that characterise polar regions places special demands on timing mechanisms and how arctic species, therefore, are of particular interest for the study of biological rhythms. Thus far, behavioural and physiological studies of these species show that arctic reindeer (and ptarmigan) appear to be truly opportunistic in summer and wintet, seemingly without any active biological clock and that they are, instead, driven directly by photoperiod. This situation, if confirmed, would be unique among vertebrates.

Viral diseases of northern ungulates

This paper describes viral diseases reported in northern ungulates and those that are a potential threat to these species. The following diseases are discussed: bovine viral diarrhoea/mucosal disease (BVD/MD), alphaherpesvirus infections, malignant catarrhal fever (MCF), poxvirus infections, parainfluenza type 3 virus infection, Alvsborg disease, foot-and-mouth disease, epizootic haemorrhage disease of deer and bluetongue disease, rabies, respiratory syncytial virus infection, adenovirus infection, hog-cholera, Aujeszky's disease and equine herpesvirus infections. There are no significant differences in antibody prevalence to BVDV among deer in habitats with high, intermediate and low density of cattle. In addition, sequence analysis from the BVDV isolated from roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) showed that this strain was unique within BVDV group I. Distinct BVDV strains might circulate in free-ranging roe deer populations in Germany and virus transmission may be independent of domestic livestock. Similar results have been obtained in a serological survey of alpha-herpesviruses in deer in Germany. Malignant catarrhal fever was studied in fallow deer (Cervus dama) in Germany: the seroprevalence and positive PCR results detected in sheep originating from the same area as the antibody-positive deer might indicate that sheep are the main reservoir animals. Contagious ecthyma (CE) is a common disease in domestic sheep and goats caused by the orf virus. CE has been diagnosed in Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus), Dall sheep (Ovis dalli), chamois (Rupkapra rupi-capra), muskox {Ovibos moschatus) and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus). Most parainfluenza type 3 virus infections are mild or clinically undetectable. Serological surveys in wildlife have been successfully conducted in many species. In 1985, a new disease was identified in Swedish moose (Alces alces), designated as Alvsborg disease. This wasting syndrome probably has a multi-factorial etiology. Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) can infect deer and many other wild artiodactyls. Moose, roe deer and the saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) are the main hosts of FMDV in the Russian Federation. In addition, serological evidence of a FMD infection without clinical disease was detected in red deer in France. Epizootic haemorrhage disease of deer (EHD) and bluetongue (BT) are acute non-contagious viral diseases of wild ruminants characterised by extensive haemorrhage. Culicoides insects are the main vectors. EHD and BT only play a minor role in Europe but both diseases are widespread in North America.

Päivi Soppela; Fats as indicators of physiological constraints in newborn and young reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.)

Päivi Soppela presented her PhD-thesis "Fats as indicators of physiological constraints in newborn and young reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.)" for public discussion at the Faculty of Science, University of Oulu on June 22nd, 2000.

Managing reindeer and wildlife on Alaska's Seward Peninsula

When reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) were introduced to Alaska's Seward Peninsula between 1892 and 1902, other ungulates were not present and large predators were either absent or less abundant than after reindeer were established. During the next 100 years reindeer numbers and distribution increased and declined precipitously on the Seward Peninsula; wildlife species repopulated this region through natural processes or translocations by man; the non-Native human population of Alaska increased dramatically and wildlife management became an issue of national concern creating diverse public desires regarding resource use; and both range and wildlife became intensively managed through complex, politicized processes. This paper provides an historical overview of reindeer and wildlife abundance on the Seward Peninsula during the 20th century and describes the effects of wildlife on the reindeer industry. Cooperative public processes have been initiated to bring diverse public interests together; meld indigenous, scientific and local knowledge of resources; and supplement governmental wildlife management programmes. Even so, the Seward Peninsula reindeer industry has been severely impacted by wildlife, especially caribou (R. t. granti).

The content of sex hormones in the enteric medium of female ruminants

It has been established that in the chyme of females of the seep Ovis ammon and the reindeer Rangifer tarandus with an actively functioning corpus luteum of the estrous cycle or in pregnancy, the total amounts and concentrations of progesterone and estradiol are higher, while the progesterone/estradiol ratio, lower, than in the blood serum. The conclusion has been made that the transport of these hormones across the rumen wall occurs from the blood into the chyme, while across the cecal wall, from the chyme into the blood.

Factors associated with wolverine Gulo gulo predation on domestic sheep

Summary 1. Following a long history of eradication campaigns against predators, wolverine Gulo gulo distribution and numbers became critically low in Norway in the 1960s. Consequently, wolverines were protected by law during the 1970s and 1980s. This led to an increase in wolverine numbers and re‐establishment in some formerly occupied habitats, resulting in increased depredation on domestic reindeer Rangifer tarandus and sheep Ovis aries. Wolverine control and licensed hunting have been used increasingly as tools to reduce the depredation since protection was introduced. However, the factors influencing the level of this depredation have not been studied. We therefore examined losses of domestic sheep grazing unattended on upland summer ranges in the Snøhetta plateau of south central Norway during 1979–94, in relation to wolverine population numbers, reproduction and control measures. This area was recently re‐occupied by wolverines and reproduction has been recorded regularly from the beginning of the study period. 2. The number of ewes and lambs recorded in organized grazing areas increased more than fivefold during the period, and losses increased proportionally with sheep numbers. The differences in losses among municipalities and grazing co‐operatives were probably related to sheep breeds and local variation in wolverine density. 3. The heavy Dala sheep breed was most at risk, whereas losses from the lighter Norwegian short‐tailed and Norwegian fur‐bearing breeds were lower than expected. 4. Killing of wolverines led to fewer lambs being lost in the same year that the wolverine killing took place, but the effect quickly declined, implying a rapid re‐establishment of wolverines in the local area. 5. Lambs were more vulnerable to wolverine predation than ewes, and losses were higher in wolverine cub‐rearing areas than in the area as a whole. 6. We conclude that: (i) control programmes for wolverines, as practised today, will have little long‐term effect in reducing sheep losses, unless wolverines are eradicated or severely reduced in numbers; (ii) the introduction of more agile sheep breeds will probably reduce losses; (iii) in areas where wolverine control to protect sheep is a threat towards wolverine conservation, the present sheep husbandry system of grazing unguarded sheep in the mountains should be replaced by alternative forms that provide the sheep with more protection. This is particularly important in wolverine denning areas.

Winter lynx Lynx lynx predation on semi‐domestic reindeer Rangifer tarandus in northern Sweden

The predation behaviour of six lynx Lynx lynx family groups, i.e. adult females with dependent kittens, was studied using radio‐tracking and snow‐tracking in the Sarek area of northern Sweden during winter 1995/96 and 1996/97. One hundred and six daily radio‐locations were obtained, and 340 km of intervening tracks were followed in the snow. Forty‐one scats were collected, and 57 hunting attempts, 37 of which were successful, were recorded. Semi‐domestic reindeer Rangifer tarandus contributed over 90% to lynx ingested meat calculated from both scats and kills. Eighty‐three percent of hunting attempts on reindeer, and 53% of attempts on small prey species, mainly Lagopus sp. and mountain hares Lepus timidus, were successful. Four incidents of multiple‐killing of reindeer were documented. Reindeer were generally in poor body condition, with an average femur marrow fat content of 27%. Lynx spent an average of three nights at each reindeer kill‐site. Reindeer were less completely consumed than small prey (61% vs 99%). The amount of meat eaten from a reindeer was proportional to the number of lynx‐nights on the kill. An overall kill rate of one reindeer per five days was calculated. We concluded that reindeer are a very important food source for lynx in winter, which potentially could lead to problems in resolving the camivore‐livestock conflicts in the region.

Forage chemistry and the digestive system in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in northern Norway and on South Georgia

<p>Comparative chemical and botanical analyses of the reticulo-rumen content (RR) and the fill of the digestive system were carried out in free-living Norwegian reindeer {Rangifer t. tarandus) on South Georgia (SG) in summer (mean body mass (BM) = 74 kg, n - 10), and in northern Norway in late summer (NS) (mean BM = 77 kg, n = 6) and winter (NW) (mean BM = 60 kg, n = 11). The RR of SG reindeer contained mainly grasses, while grasses dominated in NS reindeer and woody plants and lichens in NW reindeer. Mean ruminal plant cell-wall contents (CWC) comprised 37% of organic dry matter (OM) in SG reindeer and 50 and 69% in NS and NW reindeer, respectively. The high CWC in NW reindeer was due to high intake of lichens containing as much as 45% hemi-cellulose. Mean ruminal content of lignin was as low as 5% of OM in SG reindeer, which was different (P < 0.05) from NS (14%) and NW reindeer (15%), respectively. The mean total gastro-inresrinal tract (GIT) (fill and tissue) weight was 27% of BM in SG reindeer, different (P < 0.05) from NS (18% of BM) and NW reindeer (22% of BM), respectively. Wet weight RR content was 14.5% of BM in SG reindeer, not different from NS (12.2% of BM) and NW reindeer (14.2% of BM). The ratio between the wet weight content of the distal fermentation chamber (DFC) and the RR wet weight content was 1:10 in SG reindeer, different (P < 0.05) from NS (1:14) and NW reindeer (1:14). We did not find any significant differences between the intestinal lengths of the groups investigated. It was concluded that the degree of fill of the different parts of GIT in reindeet seems to be related to the lignin content of plants eaten and not only of seasonal changes in appetite and availability of plants. Our data stress the fact that reindeer are highly adaptable to a wide range of different dietary plants, even in the southern hemisphere.</p>

Proteolytic enzyme and inhibitor levels in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.) vs. bovine longissimus muscle, as they relate to ageing rate and response

<p>Eight reindeer bulls (age 1.5 years) and six Friesian bulls (age 1.5 years) were included in the study for comparison of tenderness. The reindeer were slaughtered at a commercial reindeer slaughter plant in northern Sweden and the Friesian bulls at a commercial slaughter plant in The Netherlands. Samples for determination of calpain/calpastatin activity were taken from the M. longtssimus (LO) within 1 h post mortem (p.m.), and at various times p.m. pH and temperature were registered in LO; ultimate pH values were measured at 24 h p.m. for beef and at 35 h p.m. for reindeer. At day 1 p.m., samples of LO from both carcass sides were excised, divided in two parts, vacuum packaged and stored at 0-2 °C. One part of each muscle was randomly sampled at 1, 3, 7 and 14 days p.m. for determination of shear force, proteolytic enzyme activity, myofibrillar protein degradation, collagen content and heat solubility. pH and temperature fall was faster in reindeer than in beef. Collagen content in reindeer muscle was found to be low but collagen was 4 times less soluble as compared with beef. Reindeer LO was found to be extremely tender, at 3 days p.m. shear force values were only 2-3 kg/cm2 (8-12 kg/cm2 for beef LO). In reindeer meat, the jJ.-calpain levels dropped to about 55% within 3 days. Troponin T and 30 kDa values were not related to changes in tenderness in reindeer meat. Cathepsin activities in reindeer were up to ten times higher than in beef. As in beef, cathepsin B+L levels in reindeer increased during storage, which is probably associated with a decrease in cystatin-like inhibitor levels.</p>

Utilization of old meadow by reindeer in spring in northern Norway

<p>Utilization of abandoned coastal meadows in northern Norway by reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) were investigated for 25 days in spring 1996 (« = 12, 40-57 kg body mass (BM)) and 24 days in 1997 (» = 12, 39-61 kg BM). Grass production on grazed and ungrazed meadow was measured both years. Faecal dry matter (DM) production and ruminai in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD) of selected plants were measured in the reindeer 15-22 days after the grazing experiment started each year. During the grazing period mean, standard deviation (s), temperature was 8.7, s = 2.8, °C in 1996 and 11.0, s = 3.0, °C in 1997, while temperature the first week was significantly higher in 1997 (P < 0.05). Mean herbage mass, on ungrazed meadow (control), after one week of plant growth in 1996 (408, J" = 166, kg DM ha"1) was significantly different (P < 0.05) from 1997 (576, s = 110, kg DM ha'). We believe the low temperature the first week in 1996 affected the plant production, and was the main reason for the significant (P < 0.05) difference in mean daily plant DM production on the grazed meadow between 1996 (57, s = 16, kg DM ha') and 1997 (81, s = 16, kg DM ha"1). Mean ruminai IVDMD of a mixture of meadow plants, differed (P<0.05) between 1996 (72.4, s = 1.0, %) and 1997 (83.9, s = 1.3, %), and mean daily food intake in 1996 (82, s = 13.5, g DM/kg0 75) was significantly lower than the intake in 1997 (131, s = 15.8, g DM/kg0 75). Daily digestible energy intake in reindeer was estimated to 0.96 Ml/kg07"5 X d 1 in 1996 and 1.85 Ml/kg""5 X d"1 in 1997, which was 1.3 and 2.5 times the resting metabolic rate in reindeer, respectively. We therefore assume the difference in food intake could be due to the initial difference in herbage mass.</p>