Diet and habitat of mountain woodland caribou inferred from dung preserved in 5000-year-old alpine ice in the Selwyn Mountains, Northwest Territories, Canada

Arctic

Volumn 65, Issue SUPPL. 1, 2012, Pages 59-79

  Galloway, Jennifer M ^a,b   Adamczewski, Jan ^c   Schock, Danna M ^d   Andrews, Thomas D ^e   MacKay, Glen ^e   Bowyer, Vandy E ^f   Meulendyk, Thomas ^d   Moorman, Brian J ^d   Kutz, Susan J ^d  

^a GOLDER ASSOCIATES LTD   (Canada)

^b GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA   (Canada)

^c GNWT   (Canada)

^d UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY   (Canada)

^e Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre   (Canada)

^f UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA   (Canada)

Author keywords

Copropalynology; Dung; Food habits; Ice patches; Late holocene; Mountain woodland caribou; Paleoecology; Selwyn mountains

Indexed keywords

ALPINE ENVIRONMENT; ARCHAEOLOGY; ARTIFACT; BRYOPHYTE; CRYOSPHERE; DEER; DIET; FECES; FORAGING BEHAVIOR; GRASS; HOLOCENE; LACUSTRINE DEPOSIT; LICHEN; MOUNTAIN REGION; PALEOECOLOGY; PALYNOLOGY; PALYNOMORPH; PEAT; PLANT COMMUNITY; POLLEN; PRESERVATION; SEDGE; SHRUB; SNOW ACCUMULATION; SNOWMELT; WOODLAND;

CANADA; MACKENZIE MOUNTAINS; NORTHWEST TERRITORIES; SELWYN MOUNTAINS;

ANIMALIA; BACTERIA (MICROORGANISMS); BRYOPHYTA; BRYOPHYTES; CAREX; LYCOPODIUM; POACEAE; RANGIFER TARANDUS; RANGIFER TARANDUS CARIBOU;

EID: 84862199307     PISSN: 00040843     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.14430/arctic4185     Document Type: Article

References (73)

1. Akeret, O., Haas, J.N., Leuzinger, U, and Jacomet, S. 1999. Plant macrofossils and pollen in goat/sheep faeces from the Neolithic lake-shore settlement Arbon Bleiche 3, Switzerland. The Holocene 9:175-182.
2. Albon, S.D., Stien, A., Irvine, R.J., Langvatn, R., Ropstad, E., and Halvorsen, O. 2002. The role of parasites in the dynamics of a reindeer population. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Senes B 269:1625-1632.
3. Andrews, T.D., MacKay, G., and Andrew, L. 2012. Archaeological investigations of alpine ice patches in the Selwyn Mountains, Northwest Territories, Canada. Arctic 65(Suppl. 1):1-21.
4. Aptroot, A., and van Geel, B. 2006. Fungi of the colon of the Yukagir mammoth and from stratigraphically related permafrost samples. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology 141:225-230.
5. Barten, N.L., Bowyer, R.T., and Jenkins, K. J. 2001. Habitat use by female caribou: Tradeoffs associated with parturition. Journal of Wildlife Management 65:77-92.
6. Bjune, A.E., Mangerud, J, and Moe, D. 2005. Past grazing habitats for Svalbard reindeer indicated by the pollen content of 3300-year-old faeces from Edgeøya, Svalbard. Grana 44:45-50.
7. Boertje, R.D. 1984. Seasonal diets of the Denali caribou herd, Alaska. Arctic 37:161-165.
8. Bowyer, V. 2011. Seasonal hunting at ice patches: Seasonal mobility and long-term land-use in the southwest Yukon. PhD thesis, Department of Anthropology, University of Alberta.
9. Bowyer, V, Kuzyk, G.W, Russell, DE., Farnell, R.S., Gotthardt, R.M., Hare, P.G., and Blake, E. 1999. Caribou remains at Thandlat: Archaeology and paleoecology of some well-preserved sites on ice patches in the southerwestern Yukon. 32nd Annual Conference of the Canadian Archaeological Association, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.
10. Carrión, J.S. 2002. A taphonomic study of modern pollen assemblages from dung and surface sediments in arid environments of Spain. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology 120:217-232.
11. Carrión, J.S., Riquelme, JA., Navarro, C, and Munuera, M. 2001. Pollen in hyaena coprolites reflects late glacial landscape in southern Spain. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 176:193-205.
12. Carrión, J.S., Gil, G., Rodríquez, E., Fuentes, N, García-Antón, and Arribas, A. 2005. Palynology of badger coprolites from central Spain. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 226:259-271.
13. Carrión, J.S., Scott, L., Arribas, A., Fuentes, N, Gil-Romera, G., and Montoya, E. 2007. Pleistocene landscapes in central Iberia inferred from pollen analysis of hyena coprolites. Journal of Quaternary Science 22:191-202.
14. COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada). 2002. COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the woodland caribou Rangifer tarandus caribou in Canada. Gatmeau, Québec: COSEWIC.
15. Coyne, M.J., and Smith, G. 1994. Trichostrongylid parasites of domestic ruminants. In: Scott, M.E., and Smith, G., eds. Parasitic and infectious diseases: Epidemiology and ecology. San Diego: Academic Press. 235-247.
16. Cronin, M., Shideler, R., Hechtel, J, Strobeck, C, and Paetkau, D. 1999. Genetic relationships of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) in the Prudhoe Bay region of Alaska: Inference from microsatellite DNA, mitochondrial DNA, and field observations. Journal of Heredity 90:622-628.
17. Cwynar, L.C., and Spear, R.W 1995. Paleovegetation and paleoclimatic changes in the Yukon at 6 ka BP Géographie physique et Quaternaire 49:29-35.
18. Environment Canada. 2011. Management plan for the northern mountain population of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in Canada [proposed]. Species at Risk Act Management Plan Series. Ottawa: Environment Canada.
19. Fasgri, K., Iversen, J., Kaland, P.E., and Krzywinski, K. 1989. Textbook of pollen analysis, 4th ed. New Jersey: The Blackburn Press.
20. Farnell, R., Hare, G.P, Blake, E., Bowyer, V., Schweger, C, Greer, S., and Gotthardt, R. 2004. Multidisciplinary investigations of alpine ice patches in southwest Yukon, Canada: Paleo-environmental and paleobiological investigations. Arctic 57:247-259.
21. Fischer, L.A., and Gates, C.C. 2005. Competition potential between sympatric woodland caribou and wood bison in southwestern Yukon, Canada. Canadian Journal of Zoology 83:1162-1173.
22. Gardener, C.J., Mclvor, J.G., and Jansen, A. 1993. Passage of legume and grass seeds through the digestive tract of cattle and their survival in faeces. Journal of Applied Ecology 30:63-74.
23. Gauthier, D.A., and Theberge, J.B. 1986. Wolf prédation in the Burwash caribou herd, southwest Yukon. Rangifer Special Issue 1:137-144.
24. Grimm, E.C 1993. TILIA v2.0 (computer software). Springfield: Illinois State Museum Research and Collections Center.
25. Hoste, H, Chilton, N.B., Gasser, R.B., and Bevendge, I. 1995. Differences in the second internal transcribed spacer (ribosomal DNA) between five species of Trichostrongylus (Nematoda: Trichostrongylidae). International Journal for Parasitology 25:75-80.
26. Hughes, J., Albon, S.D, Irvine, R. J., and Woodm, S. 2009. Is there a cost of parasites to caribou? Parasitology 136:253-265.
27. Ion, P.G., and Kershaw, G.P. 1989. The selection of snowpatches as relief habitat by woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), Macmillan Pass, Selwyn/Mackenzie Mountains, N.W.T., Canada. Arctic and Alpine Research 21:203-211.
28. Kapp, R.O., Davis, O.K., and King, JE. 2000. Guide to pollen and spores, 2nd ed. College Station: The American Association of Stratigraphie Palynologists.
29. Kershaw, G.P. 1984. Tundra plant communities of the Mackenzie Mountains, Northwest Territories: Floristic characteristics of long-term surface disturbances. In: Olson, R., Hastings, R., and Geddes, J., eds. Northern ecology and resource management: Memorial essays honouring Don Gill. Edmonton: The University of Alberta Press. 239-309.
30. Kropf, M., Mead, J.I., and Anderson, R.S. 2007. Dung, diet, and the paleoenvironment of the extinct shrub-ox (Euceratherium collinum) on the Colorado Plateau, USA. Quaternary Research 67:143-151.
31. Kuzyk, G.W, Russell, DE., Farnell, R.S., Gotthardt, R.M., Hare, G.P, and Blake, E. 1999. In pursuit of prehistoric caribou on Thandlat, southern Yukon. Arctic 52:214-219.
32. Larter, N.C., and Nagy, J.A. 2004. Seasonal changes in the composition of diets of Peary caribou and muskoxen on Banks Island. Polar Research 23(2):131-140.
33. Letts, B., Fulton, T.L., Stiller, M., Andrews, T.D, MacKay, G., Popko, R., and Shapiro, B. 2012. Ancient DNA reveals genetic continuity in mountain woodland caribou of the Mackenzie and Selwyn Mountains, Northwest Territories, Canada. Arctic 65(Suppl. l):80-94.
34. MacDonald, G.M. 1983. Holocene vegetation history of the Upper Natla River Area, Northwest Territories, Canada. Arctic and Alpine Research 15:169-180.
35. MacDonald, G.M. 1987. Postglacial vegetation history of the Mackenzie River Basin. Quaternary Research 28:245-262.
36. MacDonald, G.M., and Ritchie, J.C. 1986. Modern pollen spectra from the Western Interior of Canada and the interpretation of Late Quaternary vegetation development. New Phytologist 103:245-268.
37. Mead, J.I., Agenbroad, L.D., Phillips, A.M., Ill, and Middleton, L.T. 1987. Extinct mountain goat (Oreamnos harringtoni) in southeastern Utah. Quaternary Research 27:323-331.
38. Meulendyk, T., Moorman, B.J., Andrews, T.D., and MacKay, G. 2012. Morphology and development of ice patches in Northwest Territories, Canada. Arctic 65(Suppl. 1):43-58.
39. McAndrews, J.H., Berti, A.A., and Norris, G. 1973. Key to the Quaternary pollen and spores of the Great Lakes region. Toronto: Royal Ontario Museum Life Sciences Miscellaneous Publication.
40. McLoughlin, RD, Dzus, E., Wynes, B., and Boutin, S. 2003. Declines in populations of woodland caribou. Journal of Wildlife Management 67:755-761.
41. Miller, PA., Giesecke, T., Hickler, T., Bradshaw, R.H.W., Smith, B., Seppa, H., Valdes, PI, and Sykes, M.T. 2008. Exploring climatic and biotic controls on Holocene vegetation change in Fennoscandia. Journal of Ecology 96:247-259.
42. Moe, D. 1983. Palynology of sheep's faeces: Relationship between pollen content, diet, and local pollen rain. Grana 22:105-113.
43. Olsen, B., MacDonald, M., andZimmer, A. 2001. Co-management of woodland caribou in the Sahtu Settlement Area: Workshop on research, traditional knowledge, conservation and cumulative impacts. Special Publication 1. Tulita, Northwest Territories: Sahtu Renewable Resources Board.
44. Oosenbrug, S.M., andTheberge, J.B. 1980. Altitudinal movements and summer habitat preferences of woodland caribou in the Kluane Ranges, Yukon Territory. Arctic 33:59-72.
45. Putman, R. J. 1984. Facts from faeces. Mammal Review 14:79-97.
46. Quayle, J.F., and Kershaw, G.P 1996. Use of summer habitat by caribou on the north slope of a mountain near the Macmillan Pass, N.W.T. Rangifer Special Issue 9:311-318.
47. Rasmussen, P. 1993. Analysis of goat/sheep faeces fromEgolzwil 3, Switzerland: Evidence for branch and twig foddering of livestock in the Neolithic. Journal of Archaeological Science 20:479-502.
48. Reimer, P.J., Baillie, M.G.L., Bard, E., Bayhss, A., Beck, JW, Blackwell, P.G., and Bronk Ramsey, C, et al. 2009. IntCal09 and Marine09 radiocarbon age calibration curves, 0-50,000 years cal BP Radiocarbon 51:1111-1150.
49. Richard, H. 1986. Analyse pollinique des niveaux archéologiques et des coprolithes. In: Pétrequin, P., éd. Les sites littoraux néolithiques de Clairvaux-les-Lacs, Jura. I: Problématique générale. L'example de la station III. Paris: Edition de la Maison des Sciences de l'Homme.
50. Ritchie, J.C. 1984. A Holocene pollen record of boreal forest history from the Travaillant Lake area, Lower Mackenzie River Basin. Canadian Journal of Botany 62:1385-1392.
51. Ritchie, J.C., Hadden, K.A., and Gajewski, K. 1987. Modern pollen spectra from lakes in Arctic western Canada. Canadian Journal of Botany 65:1605-1613.
52. Rowe, J.S. 1972. Forest regions of Canada. Ottawa: Canadian Forest Service.
53. Russell, DE., Martell, A.M., and Nixon, W.A.C. 1993. Range ecology of the Porcupine caribou herd in Canada. Rangifer Special Issue 8. Harstad, Norway: Nordic Council for Reindeer Research. 167 p.
54. Scott, L., and Cooremans, B. 1992. Pollen in recent Procavia (hyrax), Petromus (dassie rat) and bird dung in South Africa. Journal of Biogeography 19:205-215.
55. Scott, L., and Woodborne, S. 2006. Pollen analysis and dating of Late Quaternary faecal deposits (hyraceum) in the Cederberg, Western Cape, South Africa. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology 144:123-134.
56. Scott, L. 2007. Vegetation history inferred from pollen in Late Quaternary faecal deposits (hyraceum) in the Cape winter-rain region, and its bearing on past climates in South Africa. Quaternary Science Reviews 26:941-953.
57. Scott, L., Fernández Jalvo, Y., Carrión, J.S., and Brink, J. 2003. Preservation and interpretation of pollen in hyaena coprolites: Taphonomic observations from Spain and southern Africa. Paleontologia Africana 39:83-91.
58. Shank, CC, Wilkinson, RE, and Penner, DE. 1978. Diet of Peary caribou, Banks Island, N.W.T. Arctic 31:125-132.
59. Slater, D.S. 1985. Pollen analysis of postglacial sediments from Eildun Lake, District of Mackenzie, N.W.T., Canada. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 22:663-674.
60. Sparks, D.R., and Malechek, J.C. 1968. Estimating percentage dry weight in diets using a microscopic technique. Journal of Range Management 21:264-265.
61. Stien, A., Irvine, R.J., Ropstad, E., Halvorsen, O., Langvatn, R., and Albon, S.D. 2002. The impact of gastrointestinal nematodes on wild reindeer: Experimental and cross-sectional studies. Journal of Animal Ecology 71:937-945.
62. Stockmarr, J. 1971. Tablets with spores used in absolute pollen analysis. Pollen et Spores 13:615-621.
63. Stuiver, M., Reimer, P. J, and Reimer, R. 2005. CALIB 6.0. http://calib.qub.ac.uk/calib/manual.
64. Szeicz, J.M., MacDonald, G.M., and Duk-Rodkm, A. 1995. Late Quaternary vegetation history of the central Mackenzie Mountains, Northwest Territories, Canada. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 113:351-371.
65. Thomas, D.C., and Kroeger, P. 1981. Digestibility of plants in ruminai fluids of barren-ground caribou. Arctic 34:321-324.
66. Thompson, R.S., VanDevender, T.R., Martin, P.S., Foppe, T, and Long, A. 1980. Shasta ground sloth (Nothrotheriops shastensis Hoffstetter) at Shelter Cave, New Mexico: Environment, diet, and extinction. Quaternary Research 14:360-376.
67. Todd, JW, and Hansen, R.M. 1973. Plant fragments in the feces of bighorns as indicators of food habits. Journal of Wildlife Management 37:363-366.
68. van der Knapp, W.O. 1989. Past vegetation and reindeer of Edgeøya (Spitsbergen) between c. 7900 and c. 3800 BP, studied by means of peat layers and reindeer faecal pellets. Journal of Biogeography 16:379-394.
69. Vardy, S.R., Warner, B.G, and Aravena, R. 1998. Holocene climate and the development of subarctic peatland near Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada. Climatic Change 40:285-313.
70. Weaver, J.L. 2008. Conserving caribou landscapes in the Nahanni trans-border region: Using fidelity to seasonal ranges and migration routes. Wildlife Canada Conservation Report 4. Toronto: Wildlife Conservation Society.
71. Wiken, E.B., Compiler. 1986. Terrestrial ecozones of Canada. Ecological Land Classification Series 19. Hull, Quebec: Environment Canada.
72. Wilmshurst, J.M., and McGlone, M.S. 2005. Origin of pollen and spores in surface lake sediments: Comparison of modern palynomorph assemblages in moss cushions, surface soils and surface lake sediments. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology 136:1-15.
73. Yll, R., Camón, J.S., Marra, A.C., and Bonfliglio, L. 2006. Vegetation reconstruction on the basis of pollen in Late Pleistocene hyena coprolites from San Teodoro Cave (Sicily, Italy). Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 237:32-39.