Alces (A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose)
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THE STUDY OF MOOSE BEHAVIOR ON THE KOSTROMA MOOSE FARM
No full textWe studied 35 adult farm moose-cows, about 50 wild bulls (in the breeding season), and more than 250 newborn and developing calves. We used the “Los-2” radio-tracking system, the “Los-3” radio-telemetry system, radio-communication between experimenters, photo, film, and video recording of behavior, and magnetic recordings of moose vocalizations. Various aspects of moose behavior and corresponding changes of their heart rate and breathing rate were studied during 1977 to 1990 on the Kostroma experimental moose farm. The results and advantages of farms for the study of animal behavior are listed and discussed. Findings include work with specific time intervals, first behavioral reactions, bonding behaviors, and passive and active defensive mechanisms. The time interval from a calf’s birth to first standing varied from 12 to 58 minutes. The developmental sequence of the first functional behavior in a newborn calf is not preprogrammed genetically but is determined by the actual circumstances of the newborn
MOOSE AND FOREST PROBLEMS IN RUSSIA
No full textThis article presents an analysis of the moose–forest relationship in Russia characterized by utilization of land by humans and its consequences for moose and the forest. It provide a general overview of the research approaches regarding Russia’s damaged forests by moose. In the early 1950s, the moose population increased sharply, primarily due to enlargement of the cutover area and the ensuing increased forage resource. Devastation to pine and oak are emphasized amid a backdrop of damage to silviculture that cost millions of rubles. Other northern countries were undergoing similar destruction by moose to their forests. Three main research approaches are distinguished: determination of the damage by moose to stands, estimation of the effects of moose on the structure of forest phytocenoses, and the effects of moose on the productivity of particular plant species and forest phytocenoses. This well documented article correlates various moose population densities with specific effects on different ecosystems and emphasizes the fact that trophic activity of moose is one of several factors affecting the structure and succession of forest phytocenoses of various natural zones
NUTRIENT COMPOSITION OF MILK FROM DOMESTICATED TAIGA MOOSE DURING THE LACTATION PERIOD
No full textChanges in the concentrations of mineral and organic substances in moose milk during lactation were examined in relation to lactation stage and nutritional (dry matter) intake by domesticated taiga moose. Initial increases in nutrient and fat concentrations were documented in the milk during the lactation peak in June (lactation days 1–25), concurrent with the availability of high quality forage. Subsequent measures of mineral element concentrations in moose milk gradually decreased (lactation days 26–100)
FAECES AS INDICATORS OF MOOSE ACTIVITY AND ROLE IN ECOSYSTEMS
No full textFaeces can serve as a significant index of spatial distribution of moose and provide estimates of moose population composition. Using faeces of moose to gather data for determining forage pressure and level of removal of plants, territorial distribution, population density, traces of activity, and other population indices can be regarded as a simple and reliable method for investigation of moose ecology
EVALUATION OF THE STATE AND PRODUCTIVITY OF MOOSE POPULATIONS USING LESLIE MATRIX ANALYSES
No full textWe examined the use of a Leslie Matrix analysis for estimating moose (Alces alces) population parameters and allowable harvests from a moose population near Leningrad, Russia, during 1959 – 1975. Leslie Matrix analysis indicated that moose fecundity and mortality exhibited cyclic fluctuations
MOOSE IN LATVIA AND INTENSIVE GAME MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
No full textHistorical population trends of moose in Latvia and current information on moose population size, sex and age ratios, annual increment rates, and mortality factors are presented. The authors review moose antler quality, interspecific competition, food habits, and discuss forest damage by moose. A management framework for regulating moose harvests in accordance with carrying capacity, under conditions of intensive forestry, is outlined
USE OF TELEMETRY TO STUDY BEHAVIOR OF DOMESTICATED MOOSE
No full textA telemetry system was designed to assist in the study of moose behavior at the Kostroma moose farm in Russia. Two telemetry systems were used to locate instrumented animals and to capture physiological data from some. The activity rhythm of moose could be generalized from records of heart and respiration rates without the need for visual observation. Microcomputer software was designed to process heart–rate data previously recorded on a strip chart
THE HORSESHOE POSTURE IN MOOSE - A REACTION TO PERCEIVED THREATS
No full textA behaviour pattern of bull moose was noted when confronted with aircraft during surveys and occasionally on the ground when threatened. The pattern is called the horseshoe posture and involves shifting of the back hooves toward the front hooves with the legs now forming a triangle with the abdomen. The pattern was noted in yearling, teen, prime, and senior bulls, but not cows. No head tilting was noted as described for caribou during the rut, but there was rubbing together of the tarsal glands. Bulls did not exhibit the horseshoe posture when confronted with an artificial head and antlers
NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF WILLOWS FOR MOOSE: EFFECTS OF TWIG AGE AND DIAMETER
No full textAlaskan moose (Alces alces gigas) consume willow (Salix spp.) as a fundamental component of their winter diet. We collected Barclay willow (S. barclayi) from 5 nearby sites (15-80 m apart) on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, USA, during winter 1999-2000. We tested effects of diameter and age of twigs on nutritional quality of willows for moose. Smaller-diameter twigs had higher in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), and protein content, but lower fiber content (P < 0.001) than larger twigs. An inverse relationship occurred between the age of twigs and protein content (P < 0.001), with older-aged twigs containing less protein. Accordingly, age of twigs was negatively related to fiber content (P = 0.002). Conversely, no relation existed between age of twigs and IVDMD (P = 0.34). Tannin content (P < 0.001) and age of twigs (P = 0.04) varied among sites, with older twigs possessing more tannins than younger ones. No difference in tannins, however, occurred between diameter categories of twigs (P = 0.48). Digestible energy differed between diameter categories (P = 0.02) and among ages of twigs (P = 0.02), as well as among collection sites (P < 0.001). Thus, structural components of the twig to support growth were more important in affecting digestibility, whereas age of the twig was more influential in determining nitrogen and tannin content. The relation between twig age and tannin content, however, was the inverse of that expected. More research is needed to understand how quality of winter browse interacts with additional factors, such as predation risk, population density, and allometric differences between sexes, to affect diet selection and foraging behavior of moose and other large herbivores
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES OF ORGANS DURING ONTOGENY OF MOOSE (ALCES ALCES) COMPARED TO DOMESTICATED RUMINANTS
No full textThe ontogenesis of body mass, the skeleton, organs of the alimentary tract, and the endocrine system of moose (Alces alces), cattle, sheep, and goats were studied in the Ivanovo region using morphological and ontogenetic methods. We noted that changes in the rates of growth and development of body mass and some organs were connected with their functional characteristics in different periods of development. Histological studies showed that decline in growth rate of all the organs were accompanied by an increase in complexity in their structural organization. Moose had earlier formation of thyroid and adrenal glands, thymus, ossification centers in the skeleton, and of characteristic structures in the organs of the alimentary tract in comparison with domestic animals