Reindeer Research Station Research Articles

Personality and fitness consequences of flight initiation distance and mating behavior in subdominant male reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)

AbstractAnimal personality has been studied extensively in recent years, yet multidimensionality in tendencies of risk‐related behavior, and the role of such consistency from a mating tactics perspective, is yet to be investigated. We used a semi‐domesticated herd of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) to examine individual subdominant male propensity to risk mating attempts on guarded females, as well as flight initiation distance (FID), within the personality paradigm to elucidate potential fitness consequences of consistency from an adaptive perspective. Data were collected at the Kutuharju Reindeer Research Station in Kaamanen, Finland, where measures of personality were generated using field observation data based on the relative frequency of dominant male–subdominant male agonistic interactions over 4 years and subdominant males' FID measured over 1 year. Individual propensity for transient mating attempts was not significantly repeatable and did not significantly predict reproductive success or somatic cost during the mating season. Individuals varied consistently in FID, and although repeatable, FID was not related to reproductive success or somatic cost. Proximate state‐dependent or social mechanisms may be driving decision‐making with respect to mating effort, whereas consistent between‐individual differences in FID may be maintained by mechanisms unrelated to life‐history trade‐offs involving productivity.

Ultimate pH values and bacteriological condition of meat and stress metabolites in blood of transported reindeer bulls

Twenty-three reindeer bulls, aged 2-3 years, fed during two winter months at the Vuolda reindeer research station in Arjeplog, Sweden, were used in the study. The first group of eight reindeer was moved from their feeding corral to a selection corral, captured by lasso and stunned with a captive bolt outside the selection corral. The second group of seven reindeer was moved to the selection corral, captured by lasso and restrained, after which they were loaded onto a lorry- and transported for 1 hour and then slaughtered. The third group of eight reindeer was moved to the selection corral and herded directly onto the lorry, without any manual handling. They were transported for 5 h and then slaughtered. In both transport groups, four reindeer were fitted with pre-programmed automatic blood sampling equipment (ABSE). ABSE sampled blood at predetermined times via a jugular vein catheter. Ultimate pH-values in three muscles (Mm. longissimus, triceps brachii and biceps femoris) were significantly lower in the group carefully handled and transported for 5 h compared with the other two groups. The physiological mechanisms behind these results are discussed. Samples from M. semimembranosus were collected at slaughter and after 2, 6 and 10 days of refrigerated storage (+4 °C). The samples were analysed for total counts of aerobic bacteria (pour-plated in Tryptone Glucose Extract Agar, Difco, incubated at 20 °C and 30 °C, respectively for 72 h), coliform bacteria 37 °C (pour-plated in Violet Red Bile Agar, Oxoid, incubated at 37 °C for 24 h), Enterococci (surface-plated onto Slantez and Bartley Agar, Oxoid, incubated at 44 °C for 48 h) and Bacillus cereus (surface-plated onto Blood Agar Plates (Blood Agar Base, Difco, supplemented with 5% defibrinated horse blood) 30 °C for 24 h). All samples fell in the range 'fit for consumption'. At slaughter, there was no difference in ASAT activity, urea and Cortisol concentrations between the two transported groups. However, the plasma ASAT activity and urea concentrations at slaughter were significantly lower in the non-transported group. In both transport groups, the plasma Cortisol concentrations increased during loading onto and unloading from the lorry. Abomasal lesions were observed in all treatment groups. It was concluded that reindeer showed an acute stress response to manual handling and transport.

New Reindeer Research Station in Finland

New Reindeer Research Station in Finland

The Eighth Workshop on Reindeer Research 1994

The workshop was held at Kaamanen, Finnish Lapland, in connection with the opening of the new Reindeer Research Station. There were about 70 participants discussing EU and reindeer husbandry.

Carcass and internal organ weights in semi-domesticated reindeer

Estimates of the mass of the different organs and tissues within organisms have been used in many ecological and physiological studies. Weight gain of reindeer foetuses is most rapid during the last trimester of gestation (see Roine et al. 1982). The developing reindeer foetus shows a well-advanced circulatory system at an age of 5 months. The locomotion system shows a faster rate of growth than the weight gain and is satisfactorily matured during intrauterine life (Timisjarvi et al. 1986). The growth of the reindeer from birth to adulthood is cumulative consisting of a rapid weight accretion during summers followed by a weight loss of stasis during winters (Timisjarvi et al. 1982). Altogether 92 foetuses (44 females and 48 males) were collected either from slaughtered reindeer hinds or as stillbirths during 1985-88 within the Finnish reindeer rearing area. During November and December 1988 altogether 69 reindeer (50 calves and 19 adults) were slaughtered in Kaamanen reindeer research station. Reindeer were freely grazing or supplemental fed with concentrates. The weighing of foetuses and internal organs was performed on ordinary laboratory scales with a precision of 10 g. The reindeer calves and adults were weighed using a spring balance to nearest 0.5 kg. Significant linear regressions were found between body weight and heart weight (r = 0.985 and r = 0.985), body weight and lung weight (r = 0.952 and r = 0.989) and body weight and kidney weight (r = 0.986 and r = 0.985) in female and male foetuses, respectively. Significant linear regressions were also found between live weight and heart weight (r = 0.919), live weight and lung weight (r = 0.864), live weight and liver weight (r = 0.958), live weight and kidney weight (r = 0.813) and live weight and spleen weight (r = 0.760) in slaughtered calves and adult reindeer. Supplement feeding of reindeer increased live and carcass weight and weight of different internal organs and tissues and also meat production. Live weight (mean) of freely grazing calves was in December 47.0 kg, hinds 77.1 and castrated males 95.2 kg. Proportion of boneless meat was 2.3 kg higher in calves (live weight, mean 53.5 kg) fed together with their hinds during 6 months with commercial feed (crude protein content 20.7 %, Nieminen and Heiskari 1989) than that of freely grazing reindeer. About 16 % of the reindeer carcass weight consisted bone. Organ and tissue weights that were larger in supplemental feed than in freely grazing calves included pelt, head, antlers, legs, heart, lungs, liver, kidney, spleen and different carcass joints.

The effect of ivermectin on reindeer offspring's weight gain and survival: preliminary findings

F a w n survival is a central issue for Scandinavia's reindeer industry. Nonetheless, there has been m i n i m a l research conducted on parasitism's effect on reproductive success of female reindeer and their abi l i ty to foster viable offspring to weaning. Investigation of the ecological relationship between parasitism and host fitness, as w e l l as the economic and veterinary medical importance of anthelmintic treatment, is faciliated by conducting field trials i n w h i c h animals treated w i t h anthelmintic are compared to nontreated controls. W e are presently conducting a randomized field tr ial to explore the effects of ivermectin treatment on pre-reproduc¬ tive and mature female reindeer. O u r p r imary response variables include age at first reproduct ion , and offspring survival and weight. F i n dings w i l l provide fundamental informat ion required for the development of an opt imal parasite treatment strategy w h i c h aims at m i n i m i z i n g parasite transmission and maximizing meat product ion. The possible long-term negative side effects of ivermectin are also being explored. O n a theoretical level, project result could elucidate the effects of the general parasite c o m m u n i t y on herd populat ion dynamics and provide data for the study of various quantitative genetic relationships in reindeer. N i e m i n e n (1989) found that offspring of ivermectin-treated females at Kaamanen Reindeer Research Station, F i n l a n d , had a significant 0.5 kg increase (p S 0.05) in average live b i r th weight and a non-significant 2.1 kg increase (p > 0.05) in average autumn live weight . 1 H o w e v e r , our pre l iminary findings indicate that ivermectin treatment of females induces no significant or consistent increase i n m i d to latesummer fawn live weight in coastal N o r t h e r n N o r w a y . This discrepancy f rom the F i n n i s h results may be explained by several factors, among w h i c h sample size or differences in parasite abundance are l i k e l y candidates. The response variable that showed the strongest treatment effect in our pre l iminary results was fawning percent. 2 Ivermectin treated females had a 9 % higher fawning rate (64 % vs. 55 %) than control females, although the difference was not statistically significant (Fisher's Exact Test, p = 0.15; n = 180). We calculated the statistical significance from the means and S.E. published in Poromies-Lehti. 3/1989. Fawning percent is defined as the proportion of research females that was accompanied by a fawn during the time of summer sampling. Rangif er, Special Issue N o . 5, 1990 15

Hoof and foot loads for reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)

Hoof and foot measurements and body weights were taken from 60 living semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.) (8 female and 13 male calves, 10 young females (age 2 yrs), 9 young males (age 2-3 yrs) and 20 adult hinds) at the Kaamanen Reindeer Research Station during the winter 1988. The outline of the hooves and the feet (hoof + dew claws) from front and hind legs were drawn when pressed down on a hard substrate in a natural position. Measurements were taken also from foot prints of 26 wild forest reindeer (R. t. fennicus Ldnn.) (7 calves, 11 hinds and 8 stags) made on hard snow surfaces in Kuhmo and Salamajarvi national park during 1985-88. Reindeer had bigger hooves and feet on front than on hind legs, and male calves had bigger hooves and feet than female calves. Hoof and foot areas of wild forest reindeer (means 74.6 and 200.3 cm2 for calves, 79.4 and 230.4 cm2 for hinds and 83.6 and 258.6 cm2 for stags) were bigger than those of semi-domesticated reindeer (means, front legs, 60.9 and 165.3 cm2 for calves and 78.9 and 214.1 cm2 for hinds, respectively). There were significant correlations between live weight and hoof areas (r=0.839 and 0.792), between live weight and foot areas in front and hind legs (r = 0.714 and 0.664) and between live weight and foot area when supported by 4 legs (r = 0.726) in semi-domesticated reindeer. Load on ground and foot load in semi-domesticated reindeer when supported by 4 legs were 235 and 85 g/cm2 in calves and 268 and 102 g/cm2 in hinds.

Use of urine samples collected from bladder and snow to indicate condition of semi-domesticated reindeer

Arctic and subarctic reindeer respond to energetically costly winter conditions by behavioral modifications and physiological adaptations. Blood usually permit quantification of this integrated response to variations in nutrition (Nieminen 1980). Recently the search for indicators of nutrition in animals has turned to urinalysis (see DelGiudice et al. 1988). Urinalysis has been employed by Eriksson and Valtonen (1974) for freely grazing semi-domesticated reindeer in Finland. Altogether 52 semi-domesticated reindeer (49 adult females and 3 castrated males) were used in present study. Reindeer were freely grazing in Kaamanen Reindeer Research Station or fed with rouhage (dried Equisetum fluviatile) or concentrates (Poron-Herkku, Raision Tehtaat Oy) during winter and summer 1989. During winter reindeer were grazing mainly Cladina lichens and during spring and early summer common reindeer forage plants (see Nieminen and Heiskari 1989). The blood samples were taken from the jugular vein and blood serum parameters were determined by standard methods (see Nieminen 1980). Urine samples from the bladder of castrated males were collected during slaughtering and those of living females by catheterization. After sampling reindeer were weighed. Urine samples in snow were collected from different feeding groups using the method by DelGiudice et al. (1988). Urine samples were poured into snow and collected as described by DelGiudice et al. (1988). Urine and urine-snow samples were kept at 20°C until analysed. Urea N and creatinine were assayed by spectrophotometry. Urea and creatinine ratios were calculated. The obvious disadvantage of urinalysis in wild species may be the difficulty of urine collection. Urine collection from bladder of adult reindeer females by catheterization during spring and summer was, however, nearly 100 % successful. During winter time it was slightly difficult to collect samples because urine content in the bladders was very low. The decline in water flux of reindeer during winter is about five to sevenfold compared with that during summer (see White 1975). There were no significant differences in body weight between different reindeer groups in present study, but body weights decreased slightly during winter and spring, and the lowest body weights were measured for the adult hinds in June after calving. Significant differences were found in blood parameters between different reindeer groups at same sampling date. Some significant differences were also measured in blood parameters between different sampling dates indicating changes in nutrition and nutritional status of reindeer. The highest serum urea: creatinine (U:C) ratios were measured for ad libitum fed hinds and freely grazing hinds in June. There was significant positive correlation between serum urea and bladder urine urea in present study (r = 0.504, n = 28, P < 0.01). Significant positive correlations were also found between serum creatinine and bladder urine creatinine values (r = 0.729, n = 28, P < 0.001), and between serum U : C and bladder urine U : C ratios (r = 0.920,

Research news; The new reindeer research station in Finland

&lt;p&gt;The new reindeer research station in Finland After a long planning time, it is now decided to build a reindeer research station in Finland. The station will be situated near Ivalo in Lapland, the northernmost county in Finland. Hopefully it will be completed within 1990. The floor space will be approximately 900 m2 and enclosures will cover more than 200 hectares. Completed, the staff will go up to 17, including 5 research officers who will cover different fields&lt;/p&gt;

The influence of ambient temperature on metabolism and body temperature of newborn and growing reindeer calves ( Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.)

1. 1. Thermoregulatory capacities of 51 reindeer calves ( Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.) aged 1–35 days were studied at −26.5 to + 35.0°C ambient temperatures at Kaamanen reindeer research station, Finland (69° 10' N) during calving periods in May 1981 and May–July 1982. 2. 2. The newborn calves aged 1–4 days maintained a high body temperature ( T re) (mean + 40.2°C) even at the lowest experimental temperature of −22.5°C by increasing their metabolic rate five-fold above the level at + 11.0°C. 3. 3. Heat production of the new-born calves was largely based on the metabolism of brown adipose tissue, stimulated by cold-induced discharge of the sympathetic nervous transmitter, noradrenaline (NA). Sensitivity of the calves to exogenous NA disappeared during the first 3–4 weeks of life. 4. 4. Thermal conductance of the calves was low at low ambient temperatures, but rose strongly as T a increased above + 10°C. The extensive peripheral cooling, especially in the feet, was demonstrated in the calves aged 1–10 days. The lowest foot temperature (+10.5°C) was measured in a 4-day-old calf at −14.5°C. 5. 5. Slight shivering thermogenesis was recorded in the calves aged 1–4 days and occasionally in the older calves at low values of T a. Shivering appears to be a reserve mechanism against severe cold. 6. 6. At about + 20°C and above the calves increased their T re (approximately 1°C), oxygen consumption and heart rate. In the newborn calves oxygen consumption rose four- to five-fold and in 1-month-old calves about two-fold. Fast growing calves (maximum 400 g/day) appear to be more stressed by heat than by cold exposure.

Lødingen reinforskningsstasjon legges ned

&lt;p&gt;The section tells about the closure of the Norwegian Reindeer Research Station at K&amp;aring;ringen in&amp;nbsp; North Norway in 1983. The research station started in 1957 and the Norwegian Reindeer Research started as an&amp;nbsp;organisation of its own in 1969.&amp;nbsp;The Agricultuaral Ministry decided to close the research station although it was in many ways of importance for the scientific development of reindeer husbandry in Norway.&lt;/p&gt;

Lichen Intake Estimates for Reindeer and Caribou during Winter

Lichen intakes by reindeer and caribou (Rangifer tarandus) during winter were estimated using penned reindeer, esophageal fistulated reindeer, and by the application of the fallout radiocesium method to free-grazing caribou. Estimated mean values for lichen intake as determined by the 3 methods were 16.4, 31.6, and 61.3 g/day of dry lichen per kg body weight or approximately 1.3, 2.5, and 4.9 kg/day dry lichen for an 80-kg reindeer or caribou. The 4-fold range in lichen intake estimates may be attributed to differences in environmental exposures inherent in the methods. Penned reindeer were necessarily sedentary without the stresses and activities normally associated with free-grazing animals. Esophageal fistulated reindeer were required to obtain forage for themselves. However, they were tethered or protected and therefore not subjected to influences such as migration or harassment by predators. The fallout radiocesium method is unique in that it does not affect the normal activity of the animal and thus has the potential for determining the most realistic estimate of lichen intake for an animal in the natural system. The forage intake rates in terms of metabolizable energy available to reindeer and caribou are compared to the probable energy requirements of the animals. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 43(1):192-201 The food habits of free-ranging reindeer and caribou are similar throughout the northern arctic (Kelsall 1968). In late spring as the snow begins to melt, reindeer and caribou actively seek out fresh green vegetation as the new forages appear. During the summer months forage is abundant and the diet consists of a wide variety of plants including shrubs, sedges, heaths, grasses, and lichens. As the deciduous forages mature and become fibrous, reindeer and caribou select increasing amounts of lichen. This transition continues through late fall when lichens become the predominate forage. Throughout winter and early spring when forage is often in short supply, lichens are consumed extensively. Winterkilled nonlichen vegetation is consumed, but to a lesser extent. Extreme cold temperatures during winter suggest greater energy demands for thermoregulation, a situation that is exacerbated whenever reindeer or caribou are required to excavate lichens and other forages from deep or ice-encrusted snow. Therefore, survival of reindeer or caribou is highly dependent upon an adequate forage intake during this critical p riod. Although there is considerable information concerning forage selection by reindeer and caribou (Skoog 1956, Courtwright 1959, Kelsall 1968), little quantitative data on forage intake exist. Forage intakes as calculated from metabolic and nutrient requirements (Brody 1945:470, Kelsall 1968:81) seem inadequate for reindeer or caribou subsisting in their winter environment. This paper reports estimates of lichen intakes based on feeding trials with pe ned and esophageal fistulated reindeer as well as lichen intake estimates derived from application of a fallout radiocesium method. The radiocesium method was first proposed by Holleman et al. (1971), and some preliminary lichen intake estimates for caribou were made. Hanson et al. (1975) applied the radiocesium method to data collected in northern Alaska during 1963-70 and esimated lichen intake by free-grazing car192 J. Wildl. Manage. 43(1):1979 This content downloaded from 157.55.39.217 on Tue, 06 Sep 2016 05:42:33 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms LICHEN INTAKE BY REINDEER AND CARIBOU. Holleman et al. 193 Table 1. Meterological summary for each study period. Temperature C Mean snow depth Study Dates Mean Max. Min. (cm) Pen feeding trial 1 Nov-Dec 1969 -16.7 -11.7 -22.0 15.9 Pen feeding trial 2 Mar-Apr 1974 -6.0 0.3 -12.8 33.0 Pen feeding trial 3 Nov-Dec 1975 -17.4 -13.9 -20.9 23.5 Esophageal fistula trial Mar, Apr 1973 -6.6 -2.1 -11.1 49.9 Radiocesium trial Jan, Feb, Mar 1976 -17.9 -13.5 -22.2 19.2 ibou. Alldredge et al. (1974) used the fallout radiocesium method to determine forage intake rates of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). We now report lichen intake estimates for reindeer and caribou from November through March in interior and northern Alaska. This study was part of a continuing study of the nutrition and metabolism of reindeer and caribou in Alaska (Luick 1967-74, Luick 1977). Lichen intake estimates in winter were obtained at the Institute of Arctic Biology, Fairbanks, Alaska; the Reindeer Research Station, Cantwell, Alaska; and Old John Lake in northern Alaska. Only studies involving penned reindeer were conducted at the Institute of Arctic Biology, whereas both penned reindeer and esophageal fistulated reindeer studies were conducted at the Reindeer Research Station. Estimates of lichen intake using the radiocesium method were made on caribou collected at Old John Lake. The study was supported by U.S. A.E.C. contract AT (45-1)2229 and U.S. E.R.D.A. contract EY-76-

Alf Erling Porsild (1901-1977)

Alf Erling Posild was well known and highly respected among biologists in both America and Europe. His research was meticulous, and rested solidly upon a clear understanding of the materials he worked with and of the theoretical concepts within which he operated. Born in Copenhagen, he spent much of his childhood in Greenland and spoke the Greenlandic Eskimo language fluently. He and his brother both worked in Greenland and learning how little was known about the flora of Greenland and the North American Arctic, set about planning a botanical expedition of their own on Baffin Island when they were suddenly invited by the Canadian government to undertake a survey of reindeer grazing potentials in northern Alaska and the Northwest Territories. Erling spent the next ten years on the reindeer study; his brother remaining with him for approximately half of that time. The brothers first went to Alaska where they studied the reindeer herds and their grazing habits. They made extensive trips in Northern Alaska and through the vast expanse that lies between Great Bear Lake and the Arctic Ocean, and between the Mackenzie and Coppermine rivers. In the course of evaluating grazing possibilities, they also collected flora. Erling set up, manned, and arranged to supply, a reindeer research station on the east side of the Mackenzie Delta. The Eskimos, being a nomadic hunting people, showed no ability or interest in herding domesticated livestock, and Erling himself went to Lapland to engage suitable teachers for them. Erling returned to Ottawa in 1935 and started to turn out a stream of publications based on his studies of the boreal American flora. In the following year he was appointed Acting Chief Botanist at the National Museum of Canada in Ottawa. In 1946 he became Chief Botanist at the National Museum of Canada, a position which he held until he retired in 1967. He was awarded a great many honours, one being Fellow of the Arctic Institute of North America. His life was a saga of unique experiences and accomplishments. Erling Porsild died in Vienna on 13 November 1977. His older brother, Robert, died a few weeks later at his home in Whitehorse, Y.T. - on 30 December.

Cantwell Reindeer Research Station

Cantwell Reindeer Research Station

Rutting behaviour in reindeer ( Rangifer tarandus L.)

This paper deals with rutting behaviour in two groups of reindeer studied at the Reindeer Research Station in Swedish Lapland. The first visible signs of rutting behaviour are described as well as the establishment of the harem and its ruler. Old bulls copulate more often than younger ones owing to the earlier occurrence of rut in these, their stronger fighting ability and the fact that old bulls are more polygamous than their younger rivals. The chasing away of intruders, and the constant herding of his own herd, keeps the ruling bull very active. Since, furthermore, he does not eat he becomes very thin during the rutting season. The size of the area necessary for a harem varies. A big bull with a large harem is able to keep his rivals away from a considerably greater area than a young bull with a small number of cows. The rutting territory seems not to be defined by particular geographical boundaries, but is an area, which changes with the movement of the harem and has no topographical references. The author has observed nothing that indicates territory markings in the proper sense, but the bull urinates on his hind legs, especially at threatening and exciting moments, and this behaviour may be interpreted as a form of territory marking. The rutting sound of the bull is a series of husky, rapid, rather low-voiced rattles that are brought about by the air being repeatedly pressed out of the lungs. The sound differs slightly from that made when the bull is driving in the immediate vicinity of a cow. Threat behaviour has been described as well as overflow activities resulting from a high level of aggressive behaviour. A typical rutting behaviour, that could be characterized as courting, is the bull's driving of the cows, i.e. the bull's running or walking after a cow depending on her heat status. Aggressiveness on the part of the ruling bull is more evident against older rivals than against younger ones, and old cows are particularly aggressive against young bulls. The first copulations usually take place during the last days of September. Mating activity reaches it peak at dusk and at dawn. Copulation seems to take place only once with each cow. The heat development of the cow has been described as well as the copulation act.