Peary caribou, muskoxen and Banks Island forage: Assessing seasonal diet similarities
Peary caribou (Rangifer tarandus pearyi) and muskoxen {Ovibos moschatus) on Banks Island had considerable similarity in their annual diets, with monthly similarities ranging from 17.8-73.3%. Diet similarity was more pronounced in areas of high muskox density {ca. 1.65/km2) than in areas of low musko...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Septentrio Academic Publishing
1997-04-01
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| Series: | Rangifer |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://septentrio.uit.no/index.php/rangifer/article/view/378 |
| _version_ | 1819078327963484160 |
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| author | Nicholas C. Larter John A. Nagy |
| author_facet | Nicholas C. Larter John A. Nagy |
| author_sort | Nicholas C. Larter |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Peary caribou (Rangifer tarandus pearyi) and muskoxen {Ovibos moschatus) on Banks Island had considerable similarity in their annual diets, with monthly similarities ranging from 17.8-73.3%. Diet similarity was more pronounced in areas of high muskox density {ca. 1.65/km2) than in areas of low muskox density {ca. 0.4/km2). Willow (Salix arctica) and sedge (Carex aquatilis and Eriophorum spp.) represented >80% of the monthly diet of muskoxen. The caribou diet was more diverse, and was dominated by sedge, willow, Dryas integrifolia, and Oxytropis maydelliana, Lichen use was rare, likely as a consequence of low availability on Banks Island. Lichen standing crop was estimated at 2.96 g/m2. The differences in muskox diet between high and low density areas could not be explained by differences in forage distribution or standing crop. We discuss diet similarities of caribou and muskoxen and potential consequences for the current Peary caribou population in relation to winter weather conditions and increasing muskox density. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T19:11:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-68373e76734d4c6eb04f680349a1e1d5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1890-6729 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T19:11:20Z |
| publishDate | 1997-04-01 |
| publisher | Septentrio Academic Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Rangifer |
| spelling | doaj.art-68373e76734d4c6eb04f680349a1e1d52022-12-21T18:53:12ZengSeptentrio Academic PublishingRangifer1890-67291997-04-0117110.7557/2.17.1.378344Peary caribou, muskoxen and Banks Island forage: Assessing seasonal diet similaritiesNicholas C. Larter0John A. Nagy1Department of Resources, Wildlife, and Economic Development, Bag Service #1, Inuvik, NT, XOE 0T0 CanadaDepartment of Resources, Wildlife, and Economic Development, Bag Service #1, Inuvik, NT, XOE 0T0 CanadaPeary caribou (Rangifer tarandus pearyi) and muskoxen {Ovibos moschatus) on Banks Island had considerable similarity in their annual diets, with monthly similarities ranging from 17.8-73.3%. Diet similarity was more pronounced in areas of high muskox density {ca. 1.65/km2) than in areas of low muskox density {ca. 0.4/km2). Willow (Salix arctica) and sedge (Carex aquatilis and Eriophorum spp.) represented >80% of the monthly diet of muskoxen. The caribou diet was more diverse, and was dominated by sedge, willow, Dryas integrifolia, and Oxytropis maydelliana, Lichen use was rare, likely as a consequence of low availability on Banks Island. Lichen standing crop was estimated at 2.96 g/m2. The differences in muskox diet between high and low density areas could not be explained by differences in forage distribution or standing crop. We discuss diet similarities of caribou and muskoxen and potential consequences for the current Peary caribou population in relation to winter weather conditions and increasing muskox density.https://septentrio.uit.no/index.php/rangifer/article/view/378diet overlapfood competitionarcticNorthwest TerritoriesRangifer tarandus pearyiOvibos moschatus |
| spellingShingle | Nicholas C. Larter John A. Nagy Peary caribou, muskoxen and Banks Island forage: Assessing seasonal diet similarities Rangifer diet overlap food competition arctic Northwest Territories Rangifer tarandus pearyi Ovibos moschatus |
| title | Peary caribou, muskoxen and Banks Island forage: Assessing seasonal diet similarities |
| title_full | Peary caribou, muskoxen and Banks Island forage: Assessing seasonal diet similarities |
| title_fullStr | Peary caribou, muskoxen and Banks Island forage: Assessing seasonal diet similarities |
| title_full_unstemmed | Peary caribou, muskoxen and Banks Island forage: Assessing seasonal diet similarities |
| title_short | Peary caribou, muskoxen and Banks Island forage: Assessing seasonal diet similarities |
| title_sort | peary caribou muskoxen and banks island forage assessing seasonal diet similarities |
| topic | diet overlap food competition arctic Northwest Territories Rangifer tarandus pearyi Ovibos moschatus |
| url | https://septentrio.uit.no/index.php/rangifer/article/view/378 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nicholasclarter pearycariboumuskoxenandbanksislandforageassessingseasonaldietsimilarities AT johnanagy pearycariboumuskoxenandbanksislandforageassessingseasonaldietsimilarities |