DOCSLIB.ORG

Why Should We Save the Wild Relatives of Domesticated Animals?

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Why Should We Save the Wild Relatives of Domesticated Animals? Why should we save the wild relatives of domesticated animals? K ENT H. REDFORD and N IGEL D UDLEY In his opus on the pheasants of the world, published in the domestic animals? Unlike the case for crops, here the atten- early s, the zoologist William Beebe wrote that his obser- tion has focused almost exclusively on domestic breeds: vations on wild red jungle fowl, the progenitor of domestic Florida Cracker cattle, Ossabaw Island pigs, Black Welsh chickens, in the jungles of Asia, suggested ‘an infusion of Mountain sheep, La Fleche chickens, and many others. the blood of native village birds’ into the genome of these Committees report, NGOs fundraise, herders are studied wild relatives (Beebe, –,inLawler,). Roll forward and incentivized, and global treaties create enabling condi- almost a century and in , Lawler reported in his wonder- tions. All for breeds of already domesticated animals, which ful book on the history of chickens that most if not all red jun- are in real danger of disappearing, but not for the wild rela- gle fowl have incorporated genes from domestic chickens tives themselves. (Lawler, ). Yet the IUCN Red List categorizes the red jun- The global community appears to be largely blind to gle fowl, Gallus gallus as being of Least Concern because of its the plight of vitally important species such as banteng, large range and sizeable population (IUCN, ). guar, wild yak, guanaco, wild ass, Mexican subspecies All domesticated animals originated from wild ancestors. of wild turkeys, wild pigs and wild Bactrian camels. Many of these wild ancestors—such as the wild ass, the ances- Furthermore, species vital in laboratory experiments are tor of the donkey—are in danger of extinction. Some are al- also disappearing, such as the axolotl (Vance, ), categor- ready extinct, as with the wild relative of the dromedaries, ized by IUCN as Critically Endangered in the wild. gone , years ago. Others are in danger of being hollowed To our knowledge there has been no systematic investiga- out genetically, as with chickens. The danger of extinction tion of the distribution and status of wild relatives of domes- through genetic swamping from domestic breeds is poorly ticated animals. A short article suggested that the documented but appears to be occurring with wild yaks, conservation status of these species was considerably worse Bactrian camels, jungle fowl, and perhaps other species. than that of most other mammals and birds (McGowan, This should not be a surprise as modern genomic studies ), but this assessment was based on the IUCN Red List, have concluded that the domestication process involved which does not consider the genetic integrity of a species. As thousands of years of interbreeding between domestic stock this may be a major threat for some livestock relatives their and their wild relatives—partially to avoid the need for her- conservation status may be even worse than hitherto assumed. ders to maintain males, partially because of poor husbandry, In FAO’s Commission on Genetic Resources for and partially to continue to maintain desirable traits common Food and Agriculture issued a report on the state of the in the wild species (Almathen et al., ). world’s animal genetic resources (Scherf & Pilling, ). The global community has long recognized the impor- Wild relatives receive next to no attention but the report’s tance of conserving the wild relatives of domesticated plants. logic for domestic breeds is equally compelling for wild re- International organizations conserve crop germplasm, pro- latives: ‘Livestock production systems face many challenges. grammes work with traditional crop breeders to conserve The precise demands that will be placed on the livestock of landraces and traditional cropping practices, protected the future are difficult to predict. However, coping with cli- areas have been established to conserve crop wild relatives, mate change, new disease challenges, restrictions on the and international treaties and agreements help achieve all of availability of natural resources and changing market de- these activities, particularly under the auspices of the Food mands will require a diverse range of AnGR [animal genetic and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the UN. resources for food and agriculture]’. So if there are compelling reasons for saving the wild re- In the Committee on World Food Security endorsed latives of domestic plants, what about the wild relatives of (ILRI, ) recommendations on roles for livestock in sus- tainable agricultural development for food security and nu- trition (HLPE, ). Yet the focus was on domestic breeds. KENT H. REDFORD Archipelago Consulting, 198 Danforth Street, Portland, Maine The international community is starting to take notice, 04102, USA, Department of Environmental Studies, University of New England, however. There is reference made to wild relatives in Aichi Biddeford, Maine, USA, and Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia. E-mail [email protected] Biodiversity Target of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, ): ‘By , the genetic diversity of cul- NIGEL DUDLEY Equilibrium, Bristol, UK, and School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia tivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and of Oryx, 2018, 52(3), 397–398 © 2018 Fauna & Flora International doi:10.1017/S0030605318000601 Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. IP address: 170.106.40.40, on 27 Sep 2021 at 05:46:17, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605318000601 398 Kent H. Redford & Nigel Dudley wild relatives, including other socio-economically as well as approaches, along with policy recommendations to the agri- culturally valuable species, is maintained, and strategies cultural and conservation communities. With this informa- have been developed and implemented for minimizing gen- tion, there will be a realistic chance of addressing this critical etic erosion and safeguarding their genetic diversity’. The but so far undervalued ecosystem service. same reference is found in the Sustainable Development Goals (UN, ): ‘Goal . End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable References agriculture.... By maintain the genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated ani- ALMATHEN, F., CHARRUAU, P., MOHANDESAN, E., MWACHARO, J.M., mals and their related wild species...’ (our emphasis). OROZCO-TERWENGEL, P., PITT, D. et al. () Ancient and Many but not all of the policies aimed at crop wild rela- modern DNA reveal dynamics of domestication and cross- tives could be adapted for what could collectively become continental dispersal of the dromedary. Proceedings of the National known as livestock wild relatives. For example, FAO has Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, , –. – laid out a framework for integrating genetic diversity into BEEBE,W.( ) A Monograph of the Pheasants. Wiherby, London, UK. national climate change adaptation planning (FAO, ) BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL () Gallus gallus.InThe IUCN Red List and this could serve for animals as well as plants. The of Threatened Species. Http://www.iucnredlist.org/details// model is clearly present in numerous recent pieces setting . [accessed February ]. global conservation priorities for crop wild relatives (e.g. CASTAÑEDA-ÁLVAREZ, N.P., KHOURY, C.K., ACHICANOY, H.A., Castañeda-Álvarez et al., ). These treatments include BERNAU, V., DEMPEWOLF, H., EASTWOOD, R.J. et al. ( ) Global conservation priorities for crop wild relatives. Nature Plants, , doi. consideration of how climate change will affect their org/./NPLANTS... conservation. CBD () Convention on Biological Diversity. Https://www.cbd.int/ However, whereas conservation strategies for crop wild [accessed April ]. relatives can rely on a mixture of gene banks and the FAO (FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION)() Voluntary maintenance of live plants in protected areas or similar, Guidelines to Support the Integration of Genetic Diversity into for livestock the emphasis will necessarily be on maintaining National Climate Change Adaptation Planning. Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture healthy breeding populations, either captive or, preferably, Organization of The United Nations Rome, Italy. in the wild. Protected areas can play a critical role HLPE (HIGH LEVEL PANEL OF EXPERTS)() Sustainable (Rosenthal, ), as is the case for crop wild relatives. agricultural development for food security and nutrition: what roles The need to prevent domestic crossbreeding may require ei- for livestock? A report by the High Level Panel of Experts on Food ther different management within protected areas or per- Security and Nutrition of the Committee on World Food Security, Rome, Italy. haps maintenance of captive breeding stock. Experience ILRI (INTERNATINAL LIVESTOCK RESEARCH INSTITUTE)() with reintroduction of Przewalski’s horse into the wild, Livestock for food security and nutrition—Committee on World clawed back from a global population of just individuals, Food Security policy recommendations. Https://news.ilri.org// shows that conservation strategies work (Xia et al., ). //livestock-for-food-security-and-nutrition-committee-on- So what should be done? We have identified a serious world-food-security-policy-recommendations [accessed February ]. omission in conservation practice and global food security
Load more

Recommended publications
  • An Analysis of Male-Male Aggression in Guanaco Male Groups Paul E
    Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Retrospective Theses and Dissertations Dissertations 1-1-1982 An analysis of male-male aggression in guanaco male groups Paul E. Wilson Iowa State University Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd Part of the Agriculture Commons Recommended Citation Wilson, Paul E., "An analysis of male-male aggression in guanaco male groups" (1982). Retrospective Theses and Dissertations. 17460. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd/17460 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Dissertations at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Retrospective Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. An analysis of male-male aggression in guanaco mal~ groups by Paul E. Wilson, Jr. A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Major: Animal Ecology Signatures have been redacted for privacy Signatures have been redacted for privacy Iowa State University Ames, Iowa 1982 1 417353 ii TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE ABSTRACT • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1 INTRODUCTION • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 3 METHODS • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 7 Study Area • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 7 Male Identification and Age Classes • • • • • • • • • 8 Male Group Dynamics • •
    [Show full text]
  • South American Camelids – Origin of the Species
    SOUTH AMERICAN CAMELIDS – ORIGIN OF THE SPECIES PLEISTOCENE ANCESTOR Old World Camels VicunaLLAMA Guanaco Alpaca Hybrids Lama Dromedary Bactrian LAMA Llamas were not always confined to South America; abundant llama-like remains were found in Pleistocene deposits in the Rocky Mountains and in Central America. Some of the fossil llamas were much larger than current forms. Some species remained in North America during the last ice ages. Llama-like animals would have been a common sight in 25,000 years ago, in modern-day USA. The camelid lineage has a good fossil record indicating that North America was the original home of camelids, and that Old World camels crossed over via the Bering land bridge & after the formation of the Isthmus of Panama three million years ago; it allowed camelids to spread to South America as part of the Great American Interchange, where they evolved further. Meanwhile, North American camelids died out about 40 million years ago. Alpacas and vicuñas are in genus Vicugna. The genera Lama and Vicugna are, with the two species of true camels. Alpaca (Vicugna pacos) is a domesticated species of South American camelid. It resembles a small llama in superficial appearance. Alpacas and llamas differ in that alpacas have straight ears and llamas have banana-shaped ears. Aside from these differences, llamas are on average 30 to 60 centimeters (1 to 2 ft) taller and proportionally bigger than alpacas. Alpacas are kept in herds that graze on the level heights of the Andes of Ecuador, southern Peru, northern Bolivia, and northern Chile at an altitude of 3,500 m (11,000 ft) to 5,000 m (16,000 ft) above sea-level, throughout the year.
    [Show full text]
  • Guanaco Lama Guanicoe
    Guanaco Lama guanicoe Class: Mammalia Order: Cetartiodactyla Family: Camelidae Characteristics: The guanaco is the largest wild member of the camelid family in South America. Guanacos have a long slender neck, and thin long legs. Their thick wool coat is light brown or tan on top of the body, and white on the underbelly and legs. The head is a grey of black color but the lips and ears are white. Guanacos, like other camelids have large pads on the soles of their hooves. The pads help the guanaco to maneuver on rocky terrain. Guanacos measure in at 43-45 inches tall at the shoulders, or less than 4 feet. (Arkive) This camelid can weigh up to 265 pounds. (San Diego Zoo) Behavior: Guanacos tend to live in herds or social groups throughout the Range & Habitat: year. During the breeding season the groups are broken up into family groups, Found in desert grassland, pampas, male groups, and small solitary male groups. The family groups consist of one shrubland, and forest, the guanaco male with several females and young. In winter, females may leave to form can be found at elevations up to female herds or they may remain in large mixed-sex herds of 500 individuals. 13,000 feet. They have a large range Guanacos communicate visually and through vocalizations, especially alarm from north of Peru to southern calls to warn of danger. Odor is also important for the males to mark their Chile, including Argentina, Bolivia territory with dung piles. The males use their enlarged canines to chase, bite, and Paraguay.
    [Show full text]
  • Sexual Selection and Extinction in Deer Saloume Bazyan
    Sexual selection and extinction in deer Saloume Bazyan Degree project in biology, Master of science (2 years), 2013 Examensarbete i biologi 30 hp till masterexamen, 2013 Biology Education Centre and Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University Supervisor: Jacob Höglund External opponent: Masahito Tsuboi Content Abstract..............................................................................................................................................II Introduction..........................................................................................................................................1 Sexual selection........................................................................................................................1 − Male-male competition...................................................................................................2 − Female choice.................................................................................................................2 − Sexual conflict.................................................................................................................3 Secondary sexual trait and mating system. .............................................................................3 Intensity of sexual selection......................................................................................................5 Goal and scope.....................................................................................................................................6 Methods................................................................................................................................................8
    [Show full text]
  • Prospects for Rewilding with Camelids
    Journal of Arid Environments 130 (2016) 54e61 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Arid Environments journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jaridenv Prospects for rewilding with camelids Meredith Root-Bernstein a, b, *, Jens-Christian Svenning a a Section for Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark b Institute for Ecology and Biodiversity, Santiago, Chile article info abstract Article history: The wild camelids wild Bactrian camel (Camelus ferus), guanaco (Lama guanicoe), and vicuna~ (Vicugna Received 12 August 2015 vicugna) as well as their domestic relatives llama (Lama glama), alpaca (Vicugna pacos), dromedary Received in revised form (Camelus dromedarius) and domestic Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) may be good candidates for 20 November 2015 rewilding, either as proxy species for extinct camelids or other herbivores, or as reintroductions to their Accepted 23 March 2016 former ranges. Camels were among the first species recommended for Pleistocene rewilding. Camelids have been abundant and widely distributed since the mid-Cenozoic and were among the first species recommended for Pleistocene rewilding. They show a range of adaptations to dry and marginal habitats, keywords: Camelids and have been found in deserts, grasslands and savannas throughout paleohistory. Camelids have also Camel developed close relationships with pastoralist and farming cultures wherever they occur. We review the Guanaco evolutionary and paleoecological history of extinct and extant camelids, and then discuss their potential Llama ecological roles within rewilding projects for deserts, grasslands and savannas. The functional ecosystem Rewilding ecology of camelids has not been well researched, and we highlight functions that camelids are likely to Vicuna~ have, but which require further study.
    [Show full text]
  • Lama Guanicoe) Caused by Winter Stress in Southern Patagonia
    ARTICLE IN PRESS Quaternary International 180 (2008) 38–51 Taphonomic and archeological aspects of massive mortality processes in guanaco (Lama guanicoe) caused by winter stress in Southern Patagonia Juan Bautista Belardia,Ã, Diego Rindelb aUniversidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral—CONICET, Unidad Acade´mica Rı´o Gallegos, Lisandro de la Torre 1070 (9400), Rı´o Gallegos, Santa Cruz, Argentina bCONICET—Instituto Nacional de Antropologı´a y Pensamiento Latinoamericano, 3 de Febrero 1070 (1426), Ciudad Auto´noma de Buenos Aires, Argentina Available online 1 September 2007 Abstract The taphonomic and archeological implications of massive mortality patterns of guanaco (Lama guanicoe) populations due to winter stress are discussed, considering both local and regional scales. The presentation has its focus in the Lake Cardiel basin, Southern Patagonia, Argentina. Winter stress is not an unusual event in Patagonian ecosystems and it produces a seasonal and predictable output: a huge number of dead guanacos in certain loci. Five faunal assemblages formed in 2000 are discussed, three in rock shelters and two at open-air settings, considering guanaco individuals/bone preservation, age and sex structure, death positions, degree of interment, carnivore damages, trampling marks, and the association between guanaco individuals/bones and archeological material (mainly lithic artifacts). Conditions exist for the commingling of naturally formed guanaco bone assemblages and archeological materials. The taphonomic signature of this mortality pattern is analysed, and criteria developed that allow identification of the potential mixture between archeological material and modern guanaco bones. From an archeological point of view, the potential scavenging opportunities brought by these guanaco mortality events to hunter- gatherer populations are explored.
    [Show full text]
  • Guanaco ARTIODACTYLA Family: Camelidae Genus: Lama Species: Guanicoe
    Guanaco ARTIODACTYLA Family: Camelidae Genus: Lama Species: guanicoe Range: Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, and Argentina Habitat: Arid and semi-arid mountainous regions including elevations up to 13,000’ Niche: terrestrial, diurnal, herbivorous Wild diet: grasses, shrubs, herbs, flowers, lichens, fungi, and cacti Zoo diet: Life Span: (Wild) 20 – 25 years (Captivity) 28 – 33 years Sexual dimorphism: M larger than F Location in SF Zoo: Puente al sur APPEARANCE & PHYSICAL ADAPTATIONS: Guanacos are slender animals with pale brown backs, white undersides, short tails, large heads, very long necks, and big, pointed ears. They have a thick, wooly coat that can be light brown, brownish yellow, or a rusty red. Their belly, rump, and the backs of the long legs are usually white; the head, ears, and nape of the neck are gray. These colors help the guanaco blend in with its grassland and desert habitats. To protect its neck from harm, the guanaco has developed thicker skin on its neck. Guanacos have large eyes with thick lashes to protect them from dust and dirt kicked up by heavy winds. They have two padded toes on each foot that help with footing on rocky trails or gravel slopes. Their feet are best described as “squishy”. Their upper lip is split in two and can be used like fingers to help draw in food. The guanaco lick all the nutrients and dew from desert cacti. They are ruminants with a three-chamber stomach. Guanacos don’t need to drink any water, getting all the moisture they need from the food they eat.
    [Show full text]
  • List of 28 Orders, 129 Families, 598 Genera and 1121 Species in Mammal Images Library 31 December 2013
    What the American Society of Mammalogists has in the images library LIST OF 28 ORDERS, 129 FAMILIES, 598 GENERA AND 1121 SPECIES IN MAMMAL IMAGES LIBRARY 31 DECEMBER 2013 AFROSORICIDA (5 genera, 5 species) – golden moles and tenrecs CHRYSOCHLORIDAE - golden moles Chrysospalax villosus - Rough-haired Golden Mole TENRECIDAE - tenrecs 1. Echinops telfairi - Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec 2. Hemicentetes semispinosus – Lowland Streaked Tenrec 3. Microgale dobsoni - Dobson’s Shrew Tenrec 4. Tenrec ecaudatus – Tailless Tenrec ARTIODACTYLA (83 genera, 142 species) – paraxonic (mostly even-toed) ungulates ANTILOCAPRIDAE - pronghorns Antilocapra americana - Pronghorn BOVIDAE (46 genera) - cattle, sheep, goats, and antelopes 1. Addax nasomaculatus - Addax 2. Aepyceros melampus - Impala 3. Alcelaphus buselaphus - Hartebeest 4. Alcelaphus caama – Red Hartebeest 5. Ammotragus lervia - Barbary Sheep 6. Antidorcas marsupialis - Springbok 7. Antilope cervicapra – Blackbuck 8. Beatragus hunter – Hunter’s Hartebeest 9. Bison bison - American Bison 10. Bison bonasus - European Bison 11. Bos frontalis - Gaur 12. Bos javanicus - Banteng 13. Bos taurus -Auroch 14. Boselaphus tragocamelus - Nilgai 15. Bubalus bubalis - Water Buffalo 16. Bubalus depressicornis - Anoa 17. Bubalus quarlesi - Mountain Anoa 18. Budorcas taxicolor - Takin 19. Capra caucasica - Tur 20. Capra falconeri - Markhor 21. Capra hircus - Goat 22. Capra nubiana – Nubian Ibex 23. Capra pyrenaica – Spanish Ibex 24. Capricornis crispus – Japanese Serow 25. Cephalophus jentinki - Jentink's Duiker 26. Cephalophus natalensis – Red Duiker 1 What the American Society of Mammalogists has in the images library 27. Cephalophus niger – Black Duiker 28. Cephalophus rufilatus – Red-flanked Duiker 29. Cephalophus silvicultor - Yellow-backed Duiker 30. Cephalophus zebra - Zebra Duiker 31. Connochaetes gnou - Black Wildebeest 32. Connochaetes taurinus - Blue Wildebeest 33. Damaliscus korrigum – Topi 34.
    [Show full text]
  • Wool and Other Animal Fibers in South America
    Proceedings of the Symposium on Natural Fibres 43 Wool and other animal fibers in South America Roberto Cardellino, Delta Consultants, Uruguay* and Joaquín Mueller** INTRODUCTION The South American sub-continent is a vast and variable area that includes 12 independent countries and many different ecological conditions, from tropical areas in the north to temperate climates in the centre and semi-desert conditions in the south. (Map 1). Map 1 – South America Table 1 – The importance of animal fi bers in South America Production in kgs Wool 143 700 000 Alpaca 4 055 595 Llama 3 342 866 Mohair 825 000 Vicuña 5 580 Guanaco 1 500 Source: Cardellino,R. based on SAGPyA, SUL, ODEPA, IICA, IWTO Wool is by far the most important ani- mal fi ber in South America; however other animal fi bers like alpaca, llama, and mohair are also produced in large quantities, whereas vicuña, guanaco, angora and cashmere have a great potential for development but the amount produced at present is low (Table 1). The production of wool and other specialty of fi bers is concentrated in the Southern Cone of the sub-continent (Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and south of Brazil), where climate is temperate or deserted. Further north, with the exception of the Altiplano region, (the highlands of the Andes mountains), the production of these animal fi bers is not possible due to the tropical climatic conditions. * Delta Consultants, Director ** National Institute for Agriculture Technology, INTA 44 Proceedings of the Symposium on Natural Fibres Map 2 – South America: sheep producing areas THE PRODUCTION OF WOOL The main areas in South America producing wool are shown in Map 2.
    [Show full text]
  • General Information for the Potential Camelid Owner
    Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service VTMD-9122 General Information for the Potential Camelid Owner Melanie Boileau, DVM,MS, DACVIM Assistant Professor, Large Animal Service Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets OSU Veterinary Medical Hospital are also available on our website at: http://osufacts.okstate.edu Elisabeth J. Giedt, D.V.M., M.B.A. Director of Continuing Education, Extension and Community Engagement Center for Veterinary Health Sciences Oklahoma State University Native to the Andes Mountains, llamas and alpacas thrive at altitudes of 8,000 feet to 16,000 feet in areas of severe cold, gale force winds, and sparse and seasonable vegetation. In their native habitat, llamas are used primarily as a source of fiber, meat and labor, while alpacas are used as a fiber and food animal. The genus Lama and Vicugna are a member of the Ca- melidae family. The Lama and Vicugna genus are comprised of four different species which are collectively known as South American camelids or New World camelids. The llama and alpaca have been domesticated longer than any other species of animal, with the possible exception of dogs. 1. Llama — Lama glama 2. Alpaca — Vicugna pacos 3. Guanaco — Lama guanicoe Llamas and Alpacas are easy to train and work with. 4. Vicuña — Vicugna vicugna Both llamas and alpacas are almost odorless, and easy to care for and are easy to train and work with, due to their Currently, llamas and alpacas are very popular. There generally quiet and docile nature. They graze and browse very are more than 164,000 animals in the U.S. They are being efficiently.
    [Show full text]
  • Pilot Study: Effects of Human Presence on Guanaco Spatial Ecology
    PILOT STUDY: EFFECTS OF HUMAN PRESENCE ON GUANACO SPATIAL ECOLOGY by Olivia Feldman A capstone submitted to Johns Hopkins University in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Sciences and Policy Baltimore, Maryland May 2020 © 2020 Olivia Feldman All Rights Reserved ABSTRACT The guanaco, or Lama guanicoe, plays an important role in maintaining Patagonian ecosystems: it is a main food source for apex and meso predators and its movement and grazing patterns preserve vegetation and insect biodiversity (Cheli et al. 2016, Baldi et al. 2016). Throughout South America, grazing competition with sheep and widespread hunting almost drove the guanaco to extinction (Baldi et al. 2001). In Argentina, guanaco populations have recovered to levels of “Least Concern,” but they are still regarded as a pest species by ranchers and their populations are highly fragmented and vulnerable to reduced genetic diversity and local extinction (Baldi et al. 2016, Schroeder et al. 2014). It is still unclear the extent to which human activities or competition with sheep affect guanaco spatial preferences, and previous studies have generally not separated impacts due to hunting and competition. The purpose of this study is to look at whether human presence alters guanaco spatial distributions more than current research suggests in unprotected areas. I looked at the spatial patterns of guanacos at a ranch in the Patagonian province of Chubut, Argentina, using camera traps to count the presence/absence of guanacos in different areas of the property. I created two null models in ArcGIS based on expert and local knowledge and scientific literature to predict guanaco spatial patterns; and performed statistical comparisons between predicted guanaco encounter rates and observed guanaco encounter rates at each camera site.
    [Show full text]
  • Social Structure in a Family Group of Guanaco (Lama Guanicoe
    Behavioural Processes 98 (2013) 92–97 Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect Behavioural Processes journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/behavproc Social structure in a family group of Guanaco (Lama guanicoe, Ungulate): Is female hierarchy based on ‘prior attributes’ or ‘social dynamics’? a b c,d a,∗ Loreto A. Correa , Beatriz Zapata , Horacio Samaniego , Mauricio Soto-Gamboa a Instituto de Ciencias Ecológicas y Evolutivas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Chile b Unidad de Etología y Bienestar Animal Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de ciencias silvoagropecuarias, Universidad Mayor, Chile c Instituto de Biodiversidad, Conservación y Territorio, Facultad de Ciencias Forestales y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Austral de Chile, Chile d Centro de Investigacion´ en Complejidad Social (CICS), Universidad del Desarrollo, Chile a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t Article history: Social life involves costs and benefits mostly associated with how individuals interact with each other. Received 15 November 2012 The formation of hierarchies inside social groups has evolved as a common strategy to avoid high costs Received in revised form 7 May 2013 stemming from social interactions. Hierarchical relationships seem to be associated with different fea- Accepted 10 May 2013 tures such as body size, body condition and/or age, which determine dominance ability (‘prior attributes’ hypothesis). In contrast, the ‘social dynamic’ hypothesis suggests that an initial social context is a deter- Keywords: minant in the formation of the hierarchy, more so than specific individual attributes. Hierarchical rank Dominance places individuals in higher positions, which presumably increases resource accessibility to their benefit, Hierarchical system including opportunities for reproduction.
    [Show full text]