Age-specific fecundity of the Beverly herd of barren-ground caribou

  • Donald C. Thomas Canadian Wildlife Service, 4999 - 98 Avenue, Room 210, Edmonton, Alberta T6B 2X3, Canada
  • Samuel J. Barry Canadian Wildlife Service, 4999 - 98 Avenue, Room 210, Edmonton, Alberta T6B 2X3, Canada
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7557/2.10.3.867
Keywords: age, calf production, Rangifer, reproduction, caribou, Beverly herd

Abstract

The age-specific fecundity of the Beverly herd of barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) was monitored each winter from 1979-80 through 1986-87. Fecundity in 840 females increased with age from 12% in yearlings to 86% at age 5 years and it did not decline in old (> 11 yr) females. Significant variations occurred among winters and even between two subherds in one winter. Reproductive abnormalities were detected in 2 of 840 females and a probable resorption in 1 of 420 females collected in March. Only about 5% of the fetuses were conceived late, possibly by repeat ovulators. Combining survival and fecundity data yielded age-specific calf production, which indicated that, for example, 54% of calves were born to females 3-6 years old.
Published
1990-09-01
How to Cite
Thomas, D. C., & Barry, S. J. (1990). Age-specific fecundity of the Beverly herd of barren-ground caribou. Rangifer, 10(3), 257-263. https://doi.org/10.7557/2.10.3.867
Issue
Vol 10 (1990): Special Issue No. 3
Section
Articles
Copyright (c) 2015 Donald C. Thomas, Samuel J. Barry

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