Download Lecture 14: Large Game Taxonomy

Large Game
Taxonomy
and Ecology
Bovidae
Mountain Goat (Oreamnos americanus); High elevation (~> 13000 ft)
grazer of alpine and subalpine areas that eats vegetation such as mosses,
liches, grasses, forbs, etc. Extremely agile and sure-footed climber. 100-300 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; 150-300 lbs.
Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis); two subspecies are listed as endangered;
Males (rams) known for butting heads during mating; 150-300 lbs; inhabit dry,
mountainous areas w/ little snow, feed in meadows and valleys; very susceptible to
domestic livestock diseases such as pneumonia and scabies.
Cervidae (deer family)
Moose (Alces alces); largest cervid at 500-1500 lbs,
solitary, inhabits wetlands, forests with cool climates,
primarily eats aquatic plants and tree saplings; palmate
antlers
Elk (Cervus canadensis); 2nd largest cervid at 400-800
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 (2nd largest).
Some populations are migratory in Arctic (e.g.
Porcupine herd). 150-600 lbs. Eat lichens, willow trees,
grasses.
Cervidae (deer family)
White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus); North
America’s most popular game species; 75-350 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 30-35 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 (150400 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.
Antilocapridae
Pronghorn Antelope (Antilocapra americana);
Only species left in the entire family Antilocapridae; small (75-200 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, 2nd fastest land mammal given it coevolved with the now extinct
American cheetah. Poor jumper, so has trouble with fences that disrupt some
migratory populations.
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
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 10-20.
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.
Felidae (Cat Family)
•
Bobcat/Wildcat (Lynx rufus)
Small, habitat generalist cat of 10-50 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 20-75 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
Felidae (Cat Family)
• Jaguar (Panthera onca); largest cat in
the Americas at 150-350 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.
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 70-150 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.