Scat analysis as a preliminary assessment of moose (Alces alces andersoni) calf consumption by bears (Ursus spp.) in north–central British Columbia
Moose (Alces alces andersoni) population numbers have decreased by 50–70 % in some parts of northern British Columbia (BC), Canada. Predation of moose calves by bears may be affecting moose populations in this area, but has gone undocumented. A total of 1,381 bear scats were collected during the spr...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona
2019-08-01
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| Series: | Animal Biodiversity and Conservation |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.raco.cat/index.php/ABC/article/view/361642 |
| _version_ | 1811295438752448512 |
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| author | R. V. Rea L. Ajala–Batista D. A. Aitken K. N. Child N. Thompson D. P. Hodder |
| author_facet | R. V. Rea L. Ajala–Batista D. A. Aitken K. N. Child N. Thompson D. P. Hodder |
| author_sort | R. V. Rea |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Moose (Alces alces andersoni) population numbers have decreased by 50–70 % in some parts of northern British Columbia (BC), Canada. Predation of moose calves by bears may be affecting moose populations in this area, but has gone undocumented. A total of 1,381 bear scats were collected during the spring and summer of 2014 and 2015. Hairs extracted from the scats were identified to species through hair scale imprints made in thermoplastic film, with the specific purpose of identifying the frequency of occurrence of moose calf hairs in scats. Only 27 scats (~2 %) contained moose calf hair. We discuss possible explanations for our findings. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T05:33:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d84576f9d4a14d9bbf8867d8404b2050 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1578-665X 2014-928X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T05:33:23Z |
| publishDate | 2019-08-01 |
| publisher | Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animal Biodiversity and Conservation |
| spelling | doaj.art-d84576f9d4a14d9bbf8867d8404b20502022-12-22T03:00:22ZengMuseu de Ciències Naturals de BarcelonaAnimal Biodiversity and Conservation1578-665X2014-928X2019-08-0142210.32800/abc.v42i2.361642Scat analysis as a preliminary assessment of moose (Alces alces andersoni) calf consumption by bears (Ursus spp.) in north–central British ColumbiaR. V. ReaL. Ajala–BatistaD. A. AitkenK. N. ChildN. ThompsonD. P. HodderMoose (Alces alces andersoni) population numbers have decreased by 50–70 % in some parts of northern British Columbia (BC), Canada. Predation of moose calves by bears may be affecting moose populations in this area, but has gone undocumented. A total of 1,381 bear scats were collected during the spring and summer of 2014 and 2015. Hairs extracted from the scats were identified to species through hair scale imprints made in thermoplastic film, with the specific purpose of identifying the frequency of occurrence of moose calf hairs in scats. Only 27 scats (~2 %) contained moose calf hair. We discuss possible explanations for our findings.https://www.raco.cat/index.php/ABC/article/view/361642Alces alces andersoni, Moose neonate, Diet, Feces, Hair analysis, Predation |
| spellingShingle | R. V. Rea L. Ajala–Batista D. A. Aitken K. N. Child N. Thompson D. P. Hodder Scat analysis as a preliminary assessment of moose (Alces alces andersoni) calf consumption by bears (Ursus spp.) in north–central British Columbia Animal Biodiversity and Conservation Alces alces andersoni, Moose neonate, Diet, Feces, Hair analysis, Predation |
| title | Scat analysis as a preliminary assessment of moose (Alces alces andersoni) calf consumption by bears (Ursus spp.) in north–central British Columbia |
| title_full | Scat analysis as a preliminary assessment of moose (Alces alces andersoni) calf consumption by bears (Ursus spp.) in north–central British Columbia |
| title_fullStr | Scat analysis as a preliminary assessment of moose (Alces alces andersoni) calf consumption by bears (Ursus spp.) in north–central British Columbia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Scat analysis as a preliminary assessment of moose (Alces alces andersoni) calf consumption by bears (Ursus spp.) in north–central British Columbia |
| title_short | Scat analysis as a preliminary assessment of moose (Alces alces andersoni) calf consumption by bears (Ursus spp.) in north–central British Columbia |
| title_sort | scat analysis as a preliminary assessment of moose alces alces andersoni calf consumption by bears ursus spp in north central british columbia |
| topic | Alces alces andersoni, Moose neonate, Diet, Feces, Hair analysis, Predation |
| url | https://www.raco.cat/index.php/ABC/article/view/361642 |
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