Large Game Taxonomy and Ecology

Transcription

1 Large Game Taxonomy and Ecology

2 Bovidae Mountain Goat (Oreamnos americanus); High elevation (~> ft) grazer of alpine and subalpine areas that eats vegetation such as mosses, liches, grasses, forbs, etc. Extremely agile and sure-footed climber lbs. American Bison (Bison bison); 2 subspecies, Plains & Woodland; massive (2000 lbs) grazer that inhabits open plains, grasslands, prairie, and woodlands; keystone species for prairie ecosystems. Original range Current range Dall Sheep (Ovis dalli); sub-arctic sheep that inhabits very steep mountains, ridges and valleys; white color in north and more brown in south; horns have more curl than bighorn sheep; lbs. Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis); two subspecies are listed as endangered; Males (rams) known for butting heads during mating; lbs; inhabit dry, mountainous areas w/ little snow, feed in meadows and valleys; very susceptible to domestic livestock diseases such as pneumonia and scabies.

3 Cervidae (deer family) Moose (Alces alces); largest cervid at lbs, solitary, inhabits wetlands, forests with cool climates, primarily eats aquatic plants and tree saplings; palmate antlers Elk (Cervus canadensis); 2 nd largest cervid at lbs, gregarious (social) and herd-forming; inhabits grasslands, prairies, and mixed woodlands; primarily grazes on grasses and forbs but does browse on many woody species; males known for squeal-like bugle sound during mating (rut). Recently successfully reintroduced to KY where population is estimated at ~10,000; fine-branching antlers Caribou or Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus); Arctic to subartic species of tundra, woodland, and boreal forest. Both males and females have antlers (2 nd largest). Some populations are migratory in Arctic (e.g. Porcupine herd) lbs. Eat lichens, willow trees, grasses.

4 Cervidae (deer family) White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus); North America s most popular game species; lbs; variety of subspecies found in many habitats (scrub to old growth forest to Florida keys); feeds on a variety of foods including trees, forbs, and grasses, but usually more browser than grazer; hide and seek anti-predator strategy than many other deer, so usually stays somewhat close to cover. Estimated N. America population is million, probably exceeding pre-columbian pop size. Overabundance and ecosystem degradation is problem in many areas of U.S. Mule or Black-tailed Deer (Odocoileus hemionus); western N. American species; typically larger ( lbs) and stockier and grazes more than whitetailed deer; tail has black tip and ears are large and mule-like; often hops on all four legs (pronks). White-tails have been encroaching on mule deer habitat in some areas.

5 Antilocapridae Pronghorn Antelope (Antilocapra americana); Only species left in the entire family Antilocapridae; small ( lbs) grazer of the high plains, rangelands, and some desert areas; primarily eats forbs, shrubs; high setting eyes that are prominent on sides of head; bifurcated horns, 2 nd fastest land mammal given it coevolved with the now extinct American cheetah. Poor jumper, so has trouble with fences that disrupt some migratory populations.

6 Antler or horn? Antlers occur in Cervidae (deer) Bones growing from pedicels on frontal bone (antlerogenesis), shed annually, then regrown via stimulation by sunlight (photoperiod) and hormones White-tailed deer main beam, Mule Deer - bifurcated; they "fork" as they grow, rather than branching from a single beam Horns occur in most other ungulate species (e.g. bovidae, pronghorn, true antelopes) Bony core with keratinized hair, not shed but continuously grow Pronghorn unique, branched and outer sheath shed annually

7 Tayassuidae (New World pigs ) Collared peccary or javelina (Pecari tajacu); Small (40-90 lbs) pig-like ungulate of the scrub and desert areas of North and South America, and many forest types, including rain forest; not-related to old world hogs and pigs; Omnivorous, but eats plants primarily, including many small cacti; Very social species, often found in groups of

8 Bears (Ursidae) Black (Ursus americanus); found in many parts of U.S. and Mexico; largely plant eater, but also feeds on small mammals and carcasses. Smallest N. American bear; forest/cover obligate. Brown/Grizzly (Ursus arctos); continental populations are listed federally threatened; can be large as polar bear (Kodiak subspecies); largely plant eater, but will feed on small mammals, insects, young mammals such as elk calves, and carcasses; inhabits open fields and adjacent forests. Polar (Ursus maritimus); IUCN vulnerable large Arctic carnivore that primarily eats seals, threatened by polar ice melting which reduces hunting ability (harder to reach prey); recent study shows major decline in populations.

9 Felidae (Cat Family) Bobcat/Wildcat (Lynx rufus) Small, habitat generalist cat of lbs; can prey on deer and small mammals, fish, insects, rabbit, birds; is hunted in many states; the real UK mascot! Lynx (Lynx canadensis) Usually larger than bobcat at lbs; in lower 48 states it is listed as threatened; is trapped and legally hunted in Alaska and Canada; inhabits boreal forest or taiga, primary prey is snowshoe hare, but also preys on deer; tufted ears, large feet for walking on snow Mountain Lion, Cougar, Panther, (Puma concolor); Large, agile cat that is a habitat generalist, inhabiting deserts, mountains, forests basically anywhere there is adequate ambush cover to stalk prey

10 Felidae (Cat Family) Jaguar (Panthera onca); largest cat in the Americas at lbs; no viable population in U.S., but some individuals have crossed border from Mexico; endangered species list in U.S.; this powerful apex predator and keystone species lives primarily in forests, but is adaptable to drier climates if sufficient stalking cover is present. Can eat anacondas, caimans, deer, and other larger prey; uniquely bites into skull or snaps prey neck. Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis); small (18-40 lbs), spotted cat of the Americas that inhabits scrub, jungles, or any habitat with dense stalking cover; eats small mammals, reptiles, and invertebrates; an endangered species in the U.S where < 50 individuals remain, most being in Texas. Formerly found as far east as Arkansas and Louisiana. Very abundant in central and South America.

11 Canidae (Dog Family; larger species) Coyote (Canis latrans); highly adaptable and vocal medium-sized (20-75 lbs) canid (scientific name literally means barking dog) that has successfully colonized much of North America despite attempts to eradicate it over much of its range. Can adapt to most habitat types including urban areas; diet is highly plastic and includes mesocarnivores, rodents, birds, deer, carrion, fruits, and livestock. Has become an apex predator in much of the eastern U.S., replacing some of the ecological role of the extinct wolf. Socially flexible forming dyads (pairs) or small packs. Gray Wolf (Canis lupus); largest canid in the world at lbs, and formerly most widespread. Habitat generalist that preys primarily on ungulates such as elk, deer, and moose, but also feeds on rodents and smaller prey. Apex predator and keystone species in many ecosystems, including Yellowstone. Alaska and Canada have healthy, hunted populations. Listed as threatened species in MN, WI, and MI in lower 48 states; hunted in areas outside Yellowstone National Park in WY. Mexican wolf subspecies is also federal endangered and numbers < 150 individuals, most in New Mexico and Arizona. Red Wolf (Canis rufus); ongoing controversy as to whether this is a true species or is a coyote-gray wolf hybrid; or whether this was the true historical wolf of the eastern U.S. (eastern wolf). Fewer than 20 individuals remained when they were brought into captivity for breeding. Most are now in Alligator Wildlife National Refuge in coastal North Carolina; interbreeding with the newly arrived coyote is causing genetic problems with the recovery program. Preys on deer, medium and small mammals.