Salivary glands in Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) and in Norwegian reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus)

Authors

  • Svein D. Mathiesen Dept. of Arctic Veterinary Medicine; The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, N-9292 Tromsø, Norway
  • V. B. Rædergård Dept. of Arctic Veterinary Medicine; The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, N-9292 Tromsø, Norway
  • M. A. Vader Dept. of Arctic Veterinary Medicine; The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, N-9292 Tromsø, Norway
  • Ø. E. Haga Dept. of Arctic Biology, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
  • H. J. Norberg Dept. of Biology, University of Oulu, FIN-90571 Oulu, Finland
  • W. Sørmoe Dept. of Arctic Biology, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
  • N. J. C. Tyler Dept. of Biology, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7557/2.19.1.289

Keywords:

digestion, feeding strategy, seasonal variation, salivary glands, Svalbard reindeer, Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus, Rangifer tarandus tarandus, Reindeer

Abstract

The aim of this investigation was to compare the size of salivaty glands in Svalbard reindeer {Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) and in Norwegian reindeer (Rangifer t. tarandus) in relation to feeding strategy, season and reproductive status. The mean body mass (BM, standard deviation j) in adult non-lactating female Svalbard reindeer was 72.0, s = 4.2, kg (n = 8) in September and 46.7, s = 7.1, kg (« = 4) in April. The mean BM of adult non-lactating Norwegian reindeer was 67.5, s = 7.7, kg (» = 8) in September and 59.2, s = 9.6, kg (n = 9) in March. In non-lactating female Svalbard reindeer the mean combined mass of parotid glands was 82.7, s = 4.5, g in September and 58.8, s = 8.7, g in April (P < 0.05). In the Norwegian reindeer the mean combined mass of the parotid glands was 95.2, s = 14.4, g in Septembet and 68.1, s = 9.5, g in Match (P < 0.05). We wete not able to find any sub-species differences in the size of the salivaty glands which could be related to phenotypic difference in feeding strategy. Both sub-species had parotid glands sizes similar to that of intermediate ruminant types, ranging from 0.11-0.14% of BM. The larger absolute size of salivaty glands in summer compared to winter reflects the importance of high rates of production of saliva when the dry matter intake and microbial fermentation is high.

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Published

1999-04-01

How to Cite

Mathiesen, S. D., Rædergård, V. B., Vader, M. A., Haga, Ø. E., Norberg, H. J., Sørmoe, W., & Tyler, N. J. C. (1999). Salivary glands in Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) and in Norwegian reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus). Rangifer, 19(1), 25–32. https://doi.org/10.7557/2.19.1.289

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