| 1. |
- Angerbjörn, Anders, et al.
(author)
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Dynamics of the Arctic Fox Population in Sweden
- 1995
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In: Annales Zoologici Fennici. ; 32:1, s. 55-68
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Arctic fox populations fluctuate widely with the abundance of prey, i.e. lemmings and voles (Arvicolinae). We have investigated the patterns and mechanisms of these fluctuations in arctic fox numbers through den inventories during 20 years (1974-1993) in Sweden. Time series analyses confirmed a four-year cyclicity in both arctic fox numbers and litter size. However, the different geographical regions were not in synchrony. The fox population in the southern parts of the distribution range has shown regular peaks during the whole period, whereas those in the northern and middle parts of Sweden have declined since 1982. In the northernmost county, also litter sizes have decreased. These differences coincided with an absence of vole and lemming peaks in the north. Experimental feeding confirmed that food availability had a direct impact on breeding success and litter size, thereby limiting the population. We conclude that the total number of arctic foxes in Sweden in 1994 is as low as 40-80 animals.
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| 2. |
- Kaikusalo, A., et al.
(author)
-
The Arctic Fox Population in Finnish Lapland During 30 Years, 1964-93
- 1995
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In: Annales Zoologici Fennici. - 0003-455X .- 1797-2450. ; 32:1, s. 69-77
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We have monitored the number of arctic foxes and microtine rodents in northern Finland for 30 years. Arctic fox densities were estimated by inventories at den sites, and microtine abundance by snap trapping. Time series analyses showed that the arctic fox population fluctuated widely but always close together with the microtines in a five year cycle. However, there was no time lag in the numerical response of foxes on microtines. The strong dependence on microtines was confirmed by analyses of faecal droppings and food remains at dens. In summer time microtines consisted in average of 45% of the diet and reindeer 30%, but during winters reindeer was the most important food source with 45% compared to 15% for microtines. There was a surprising positive correlation between number of voles and reindeer carcasses, suggesting competition or alternatively an external correlation from e.g. weather. Mean litter size of the arctic fox was also highly dependent on microtine abundance but decreased during the study period despite that food resources had not changed. Further, when microtines had high densities during two consecutive years, arctic foxes only responded to the first year. A feeding experiment resulted in an increase in number of red foxes but had no or little effect on arctic foxes. So, it is difficult to single out one explanation to the decline and second year effect. Food was probably not involved and we do not know if diseases and parasites have been involved. However, both competition and predation, primarily from the red fox, may be responsible together with climatic or weather changes.
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| 3. |
- Lidén, Kerstin, et al.
(author)
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Dietary change and stable isotopes : a model of growth and dormancy in cave bears
- 1999
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In: Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B-Biological Sciences. ; 266:1430, s. 1779-1783
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In order to discuss dietary change over time by the use of stable isotopes, it is necessary to sort out the underlying processes in isotopic variation. Together with the dietary signal other processes have been investigated, namely metabolic processes, collagen turnover and physical growth. However, growth and collagen turnover time have so far been neglected in dietary reconstruction based on stable isotopes. An earlier study suggested that cave bears (Ursus spelaeus) probably gave birth to cubs during dormancy. We provide an estimate of the effect on stable isotopes of growth and metabolism and discuss collagen turnover in a population of cave bears. Based on a quantitative model, we hypothesized that bear cubs lactated their mothers during their first and second winters, but were fed solid food together with lactation during their first summer. This demonstrates the need to include physical growth, metabolism and collagen turnover in dietary reconstruction. Whereas the effects of diet and metabolism are due to fractionation, growth and collagen turnover are dilution processes.
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| 4. |
- Nelson, D. E., et al.
(author)
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Stable isotopes and the metabolism of the European cave bear
- 1998
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In: Oecologia. ; 116:1-2, s. 177-181
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Isotopic analyses of fossil bones of the extinct European cave bear indicate that this animal was a hibernator with the same unusual metabolic processes as some modern bear species. This finding provides useful biological and archaeological information on an extinct species, and the methods themselves may prove generally useful in studies of the metabolisms of modern bears, other hibernators, and perhaps of starving animals.
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