Ungulate Tag Marketing Update Aza Midyear Conference 2015 Columbia, Sc

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Ungulate Tag Marketing Update Aza Midyear Conference 2015 Columbia, Sc UNGULATE TAG MARKETING UPDATE AZA MIDYEAR CONFERENCE 2015 COLUMBIA, SC Brent Huffman - Toronto Zoo Michelle Hatwood - Audubon Species Survival Center RoxAnna Breitigan - Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Species Marketing Original Goals Began in 2011 Goal: Focus institutional interest Need to stop declining trend in captive populations Target: Animal decision makers Easy accessibility 2015 Picked 12 priority species to specifically market for sustainability Postcards mailed to 212 people at 156 institutions Postcards Printed on recycled paper Program Leaders asked to provide feedback Interest Out of the 12 Species… . 8 Program Leaders were contacted by new interested parties in 2014 Sitatunga- posters at AZA meeting Bontebok- Word of mouth, facility contacted TAG Urial- Received Ungulate postcard Steenbok- Program Leader initiated contact Bactrian Wapiti- Received Ungulate postcard Babirusa- Program Leader initiated contact Warty Pigs- WPPH TAG website Arabian Oryx- Word of mouth Results Out of the 12 Species… . 4 Species each gained new facilities Bontebok - 1 Steenbok - 1 Warty Pig - 2 (but lost 1) Babirusa - 4 Moving Forward Out of the 12 Species… . Most SSP’s still have animals available . Most SSP’s are still looking for new institutions . Babirusa- no animals available . Anoa- needs help to work with private sector to get more animals . 170 spaces needed to bring these programs up to population goals Moving Forward Ideas for new promotion? . Continue postcards? Posters? Promotional items? Advertisements? Facebook? Budget? To be announced at… . 2015 Annual AZA Conference . 2015 AAZK Conference . 2016 AZA Midyear Conference New 2016 Priority Species Criteria . Must have animals available in 2016/2017 . Needs new facilities to maintain sustainable population . Must have Program Leader that is actively working on getting new facilities 2015 Marketing Profiles New for 2015 Antelope Addax Addra gazelle Bontebok Scimitar-horned oryx Slender-horned gazelle Steenbok Yellow-backed duiker Deer Chilean pudu Barasingha Red brocket Pere David’s deer 2015 Marketing Profiles 46 profiles complete! ANTELOPE & GIRAFFE - 17 (+1) CAPRINAE - 5 CATTLE & CAMEL - 2 CERVID - 6 (+4) EQUID - 3 WILD PIG, PECCARY & HIPPO - 8 More profiles? •Species selection? •What’s next? PROFILE IMPROVEMENTS Accessibility & Barriers Stewardship Challenge: current, relevant, reliable projects •Need ongoing review of organizations or projects •Think outside the box: projects with similar species, or habitat-level projects Listserv How many love all the cross postings? Should we combine the open listservs into a single AZA Ungulates listserv? TAG Chairs? AZAUngulates.org Website- we NEED content! Stats: 3000 hits!!! AZAAZAUNGULATESUNGULATES.ORG.ORG Merchandise Options Zazzle through website to order branding items. TAG Mart- Sunday & Monday 12 -1 Columbia Ballroom Posters- Limited edition available SAFE Saving Animals From Extinction TAG Top Priorities Have you started? Do you need help? Deadline: March 31st QUESTIONS? THOUGHTS? IDEAS? Thank you. Homework pending..
Recommended publications
  • Boselaphus Tragocamelus</I>
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln USGS Staff -- Published Research US Geological Survey 2008 Boselaphus tragocamelus (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) David M. Leslie Jr. U.S. Geological Survey, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgsstaffpub Leslie, David M. Jr., "Boselaphus tragocamelus (Artiodactyla: Bovidae)" (2008). USGS Staff -- Published Research. 723. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgsstaffpub/723 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the US Geological Survey at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in USGS Staff -- Published Research by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. MAMMALIAN SPECIES 813:1–16 Boselaphus tragocamelus (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) DAVID M. LESLIE,JR. United States Geological Survey, Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-3051, USA; [email protected] Abstract: Boselaphus tragocamelus (Pallas, 1766) is a bovid commonly called the nilgai or blue bull and is Asia’s largest antelope. A sexually dimorphic ungulate of large stature and unique coloration, it is the only species in the genus Boselaphus. It is endemic to peninsular India and small parts of Pakistan and Nepal, has been extirpated from Bangladesh, and has been introduced in the United States (Texas), Mexico, South Africa, and Italy. It prefers open grassland and savannas and locally is a significant agricultural pest in India. It is not of special conservation concern and is well represented in zoos and private collections throughout the world. DOI: 10.1644/813.1.
    [Show full text]
  • Damaliscus Pygargus Phillipsi – Blesbok
    Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi – Blesbok colour pattern (Fabricius et al. 1989). Hybridisation between these taxa threatens the genetic integrity of both subspecies (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). Assessment Rationale Listed as Least Concern, as Blesbok are abundant on both formally and privately protected land. We estimate a minimum mature population size of 54,426 individuals (using a 70% mature population structure) across 678 protected areas and wildlife ranches (counts between 2010 and 2016). There are at least an estimated 17,235 animals (counts between 2013 and 2016) on formally Emmanuel Do Linh San protected areas across the country, with the largest subpopulation occurring on Golden Gate Highlands National Park. The population has increased significantly Regional Red List status (2016) Least Concern over three generations (1990–2015) in formally protected National Red List status (2004) Least Concern areas across its range and is similarly suspected to have increased on private lands. Apart from hybridisation with Reasons for change No change Bontebok, there are currently no major threats to its long- Global Red List status (2008) Least Concern term survival. Approximately 69% of Blesbok can be considered genetically pure (A. van Wyk & D. Dalton TOPS listing (NEMBA) None unpubl. data), and stricter translocation policies should be CITES listing None established to prevent the mixing of subspecies. Overall, this subspecies could become a keystone in the Endemic Yes sustainable wildlife economy. The common name, Blesbok, originates from ‘Bles’, the Afrikaans word for a ‘blaze’, which Distribution symbolises the white facial marking running down Historically, the Blesbok ranged across the Highveld from the animal’s horns to its nose, broken only grasslands of the Free State and Gauteng provinces, by the brown band above the eyes (Skinner & extending into northwestern KwaZulu-Natal, and through Chimimba 2005).
    [Show full text]
  • The Eastern Cape –
    The Eastern Cape – Revisited By Jeff Belongia A return to South Africa’s Eastern Cape was inevitable – the idea already firmly planted in my mind since my first visit in 1985. Africa, in general, has a wonderful yet strange control over the soul, and many writers have tried to express the reasoning behind it. I note this captivation and recognize the allure, and am too weak to resist. For me, Africa is what dreams are made of – and I dream of it daily. Dr. Martin Luther King was wise when he chose the phrase, “I have a dream.” He could have said, “I have a strategic plan.” Not quite the same effect! People follow their dreams. As parents we should spend more time teaching our children to dream, and to dream big. There is no Standard Operating Procedure to get through the tough times in life. Strength and discipline are measured by the depth and breadth of our dreams and not by strategic planning! The Catholic nuns at Saint Peter’s grade school first noted my talents. And they all told me to stop daydreaming. But I’ve never been able to totally conquer that urge – I dream continually of the romance of Africa, including the Eastern Cape. The Eastern Cape is a special place with a wide variety of antelope – especially those ‘pygmy’ species found nowhere else on the continent: Cape grysbok, blue duiker, Vaal rhebok, steenbok, grey duiker, suni, and oribi. Still not impressed? Add Cape bushbuck, mountain reedbuck, blesbok, nyala, bontebok, three colour phases of the Cape springbok, and great hunting for small cats such as caracal and serval.
    [Show full text]
  • Cic Pheonotype List Caprinae©
    v. 5.25.12 CIC PHEONOTYPE LIST CAPRINAE © ARGALI 1. Altai Argali Ovis ammon ammon (aka Altay Argali) 2. Khangai Argali Ovis ammon darwini (aka Hangai & Mid Altai Argali) 3. Gobi Argali Ovis ammon darwini 4. Northern Chinese Argali - extinct Ovis ammon jubata (aka Shansi & Jubata Argali) 5. Northern Tibetan Argali Ovis ammon hodgsonii (aka Gansu & Altun Shan Argali) 6. Tibetan Argali Ovis ammon hodgsonii (aka Himalaya Argali) 7. Kuruk Tagh Argali Ovis ammon adametzi (aka Kuruktag Argali) 8. Karaganda Argali Ovis ammon collium (aka Kazakhstan & Semipalatinsk Argali) 9. Sair Argali Ovis ammon sairensis 10. Dzungarian Argali Ovis ammon littledalei (aka Littledale’s Argali) 11. Tian Shan Argali Ovis ammon karelini (aka Karelini Argali) 12. Kyrgyz Argali Ovis ammon humei (aka Kashgarian & Hume’s Argali) 13. Pamir Argali Ovis ammon polii (aka Marco Polo Argali) 14. Kara Tau Argali Ovis ammon nigrimontana (aka Bukharan & Turkestan Argali) 15. Nura Tau Argali Ovis ammon severtzovi (aka Kyzyl Kum & Severtzov Argali) MOUFLON 16. Tyrrhenian Mouflon Ovis aries musimon (aka Sardinian & Corsican Mouflon) 17. Introd. European Mouflon Ovis aries musimon (aka European Mouflon) 18. Cyprus Mouflon Ovis aries ophion (aka Cyprian Mouflon) 19. Konya Mouflon Ovis gmelini anatolica (aka Anatolian & Turkish Mouflon) 20. Armenian Mouflon Ovis gmelini gmelinii (aka Transcaucasus or Asiatic Mouflon, regionally as Arak Sheep) 21. Esfahan Mouflon Ovis gmelini isphahanica (aka Isfahan Mouflon) 22. Larestan Mouflon Ovis gmelini laristanica (aka Laristan Mouflon) URIALS 23. Transcaspian Urial Ovis vignei arkal (Depending on locality aka Kopet Dagh, Ustyurt & Turkmen Urial) 24. Bukhara Urial Ovis vignei bocharensis 25. Afghan Urial Ovis vignei cycloceros 26.
    [Show full text]
  • Vega Etal Procroyalsocb Synchronous Diversification
    Canterbury Christ Church University’s repository of research outputs http://create.canterbury.ac.uk Please cite this publication as follows: Frantz, Laurent A. F., Rudzinski, A., Mansyursyah Surya Nugraha, A., Evin, A., Burton, J., Hulme-Beaman, A., Linderholm, A., Barnett, R., Vega, R., Irving-Pease, E., Haile, J., Allen, R., Leus, K., Shephard, J., Hillyer, M., Gillemot, S., van den Hurk, J., Ogle, S., Atofanei, C., Thomas, M., Johansson, F., Haris Mustari, A., Williams, J., Mohamad, K., Siska Damayanti, C., Djuwita Wiryadi, I., Obbles, D., Mona, S., Day, H., Yasin, M., Meker, S., McGuire, J., Evans, B., von Rintelen, T., Hoult, S., Searle, J., Kitchener, A., Macdonald, A., Shaw, D., Hall, R., Galbusera, P. and Larson, G. (2018) Synchronous diversification of Sulawesi’s iconic artiodactyls driven by recent geological events. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. Link to official URL (if available): http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2017.2566. This version is made available in accordance with publishers’ policies. All material made available by CReaTE is protected by intellectual property law, including copyright law. Any use made of the contents should comply with the relevant law. Contact: [email protected] Synchronous diversification of Sulawesi’s iconic artiodactyls driven by recent geological events Authors Laurent A. F. Frantz1,2,a,*, Anna Rudzinski3,*, Abang Mansyursyah Surya Nugraha4,c,*, , Allowen Evin5,6*, James Burton7,8*, Ardern Hulme-Beaman2,6, Anna Linderholm2,9, Ross Barnett2,10, Rodrigo Vega11 Evan K. Irving-Pease2, James Haile2,10, Richard Allen2, Kristin Leus12,13, Jill Shephard14,15, Mia Hillyer14,16, Sarah Gillemot14, Jeroen van den Hurk14, Sharron Ogle17, Cristina Atofanei11, Mark G.
    [Show full text]
  • Prion Protein Gene (PRNP) Variants and Evidence for Strong Purifying Selection in Functionally Important Regions of Bovine Exon 3
    Prion protein gene (PRNP) variants and evidence for strong purifying selection in functionally important regions of bovine exon 3 Christopher M. Seabury†, Rodney L. Honeycutt†‡, Alejandro P. Rooney§, Natalie D. Halbert†, and James N. Derr†¶ †Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4467; ‡Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2258; and §National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Peoria, IL 61604-3999 Communicated by James E. Womack, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, September 1, 2004 (received for review December 19, 2003) Amino acid replacements encoded by the prion protein gene indel polymorphism has not been observed within the octapep- (PRNP) have been associated with transmissible and hereditary tide repeat region of ovine PRNP exon 3 (8, 10–20), whereas spongiform encephalopathies in mammalian species. However, an studies of cattle and other bovine species have yielded three indel association between bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and isoforms possessing five to seven octapeptide repeats (20–31). bovine PRNP exon 3 has not been detected. Moreover, little is Despite the importance of cattle both to agricultural practices currently known regarding the mechanisms of evolution influenc- worldwide and to the global economy, surprisingly little is known ing the bovine PRNP gene. Therefore, in this study we evaluated about PRNP allelic diversity for cattle collectively and͞or how the patterns of nucleotide variation associated with PRNP exon 3 this gene evolves in this lineage. In addition, although several for 36 breeds of domestic cattle and representative samples for 10 nondomesticated species of Bovinae contracted transmissible additional species of Bovinae.
    [Show full text]
  • The Ecology of Large Herbivores Native to the Coastal Lowlands of the Fynbos Biome in the Western Cape, South Africa
    The ecology of large herbivores native to the coastal lowlands of the Fynbos Biome in the Western Cape, South Africa by Frans Gustav Theodor Radloff Dissertation presented for the degree of Doctor of Science (Botany) at Stellenbosh University Promoter: Prof. L. Mucina Co-Promoter: Prof. W. J. Bond December 2008 DECLARATION By submitting this dissertation electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my own, original work, that I am the owner of the copyright thereof (unless to the extent explicitly otherwise stated) and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. Date: 24 November 2008 Copyright © 2008 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved ii ABSTRACT The south-western Cape is a unique region of southern Africa with regards to generally low soil nutrient status, winter rainfall and unusually species-rich temperate vegetation. This region supported a diverse large herbivore (> 20 kg) assemblage at the time of permanent European settlement (1652). The lowlands to the west and east of the Kogelberg supported populations of African elephant, black rhino, hippopotamus, eland, Cape mountain and plain zebra, ostrich, red hartebeest, and grey rhebuck. The eastern lowlands also supported three additional ruminant grazer species - the African buffalo, bontebok, and blue antelope. The fate of these herbivores changed rapidly after European settlement. Today the few remaining species are restricted to a few reserves scattered across the lowlands. This is, however, changing with a rapid growth in the wildlife industry that is accompanied by the reintroduction of wild animals into endangered and fragmented lowland areas.
    [Show full text]
  • Animals of Africa
    Silver 49 Bronze 26 Gold 59 Copper 17 Animals of Africa _______________________________________________Diamond 80 PYGMY ANTELOPES Klipspringer Common oribi Haggard oribi Gold 59 Bronze 26 Silver 49 Copper 17 Bronze 26 Silver 49 Gold 61 Copper 17 Diamond 80 Diamond 80 Steenbok 1 234 5 _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ Cape grysbok BIG CATS LECHWE, KOB, PUKU Sharpe grysbok African lion 1 2 2 2 Common lechwe Livingstone suni African leopard***** Kafue Flats lechwe East African suni African cheetah***** _______________________________________________ Red lechwe Royal antelope SMALL CATS & AFRICAN CIVET Black lechwe Bates pygmy antelope Serval Nile lechwe 1 1 2 2 4 _______________________________________________ Caracal 2 White-eared kob DIK-DIKS African wild cat Uganda kob Salt dik-dik African golden cat CentralAfrican kob Harar dik-dik 1 2 2 African civet _______________________________________________ Western kob (Buffon) Guenther dik-dik HYENAS Puku Kirk dik-dik Spotted hyena 1 1 1 _______________________________________________ Damara dik-dik REEDBUCKS & RHEBOK Brown hyena Phillips dik-dik Common reedbuck _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________African striped hyena Eastern bohor reedbuck BUSH DUIKERS THICK-SKINNED GAME Abyssinian bohor reedbuck Southern bush duiker _______________________________________________African elephant 1 1 1 Sudan bohor reedbuck Angolan bush duiker (closed) 1 122 2 Black rhinoceros** *** Nigerian
    [Show full text]
  • NUTRITIONAL ANALYSIS of ANOA (Bubalus Depressicornis and Bubalus Quarlesi) FOOD PLANTS in TANJUNG PEROPA WILDLIFE RESERVE, SOUTHEAST SULAWESI
    Media Konservasi Vol. 16, No. 2 Agustus 2011 : 92 ± 94 NUTRITIONAL ANALYSIS OF ANOA (Bubalus depressicornis and Bubalus quarlesi) FOOD PLANTS IN TANJUNG PEROPA WILDLIFE RESERVE, SOUTHEAST SULAWESI (Analisis Kandungan Nutrisi Pakan Anoa Bubalus spp. di Suaka Margasatwa Tanjung Peropa Sulawesi Tenggara) ABDUL HARIS MUSTARI1) 1)Department of Forest Resources Conservation, Faculty of Forestry Bogor Agricultural University ([email protected]) Diterima 24 Jannuary 2011/Disetujui 27 Juli 2011 ABSTRAK Sebanyak 46 jenis tumbuhan dan dua jenis buah dikumpulkan dari habitat asli anoa (insitu) di Suaka Margasatwa Tanjung Peropa Sulawesi Tenggara. Analisis kandungan nutrisi makanan anoa diketahui dengan menggunakan metode Proximate Analyses. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa persentase kandungan nutrisi makanan anoa di habitat aslinya bervariasi. Kandungan protein bervariasi 5,58 -21,60 (rataan 12,70; SD 4,34), sementara kandungan serat kasar bervariasi dari 14,68 sampai 62,68 (rataan 36,93; SD 12,07). Persentase Ektrak Ether adalah 0,91-11,5 (rataan 2,38; SD 1,75). Persentase kandungan NFE (Nitrogen-Free Extractives) berkisar 0,76 dan 52,31 (rataan 24,64; SD 15,20), dan kandungan energi kasar adalah 2419-3583 kal/gram (rataan 3093; SD 282,82). Kata kunci: Anoa, Bubalus spp., kandungan nutrisi. INTRODUCTION METHODS Very little is known about the dietary ecology of Study site these animals in their natural habitats because of their This study was conducted in Kalobo Forest of secretive nature and their occupation of the most remote Tanjung Peropa wildlife reserve from 2000 to 2003. The tropical rain forests on the island including lowland wildlife reserve situated between 1220 45‘ ± 1220 45‘ forests, rocky-cliff forests and mountainous forests.
    [Show full text]
  • The Saola Or Spindlehorn Bovid Pseudoryx Nghetinhensis in Laos
    ORYX VOL 29 NO 2 APRIL 1995 The saola or spindlehorn bovid Pseudoryx nghetinhensis in Laos George B. Schaller and Alan Rabinowitz In 1992 the discovery of a new bovid, Pseudoryx nghetinhensis, in Vietnam led to speculation that the species also occurred in adjacent parts of Laos. This paper describes a survey in January 1994, which confirmed the presence of P. ngethinhensis in Laos, although in low densities and with a patchy distribution. The paper also presents new information that helps clarify the phylogenetic position of the species. The low numbers and restricted range ofP. ngethinhensis mean that it must be regarded as Endangered. While some admirable moves have been made to protect the new bovid and its habitat, more needs to be done and the authors recommend further conservation action. Introduction area). Dung et al. (1994) refer to Pseudoryx as the Vu Quang ox, but, given the total range of In May 1992 Do Tuoc and John MacKinnon the animal and its evolutionary affinities (see found three sets of horns of a previously un- below), we prefer to call it by the descriptive described species of bovid in the Vu Quang local name 'saola'. Nature Reserve of west-central Vietnam The village of Nakadok, where saola horns (Stone, 1992). The discovery at the end of the were found, lies at the end of the Nakai-Nam twentieth century of a large new mammal in a Theun National Biodiversity Conservation region that had been visited repeatedly by sci- Area (NNTNBCA), which at 3500 sq km is the entific and other expeditions (Delacour and largest of 17 protected areas established by Jabouille, 1931; Legendre, 1936) aroused in- Laos in October 1993.
    [Show full text]
  • New Data on Large Mammals of the Pleistocene Trlica Fauna, Montenegro, the Central Balkans I
    ISSN 00310301, Paleontological Journal, 2015, Vol. 49, No. 6, pp. 651–667. © Pleiades Publishing, Ltd., 2015. Original Russian Text © I.A. Vislobokova, A.K. Agadjanian, 2015, published in Paleontologicheskii Zhurnal, 2015, No. 6, pp. 86–102. New Data on Large Mammals of the Pleistocene Trlica Fauna, Montenegro, the Central Balkans I. A. Vislobokova and A. K. Agadjanian Borissiak Paleontological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Profsoyuznaya ul. 123, Moscow, 117997 Russia email: [email protected], [email protected] Received September 18, 2014 Abstract—A brief review of 38 members of four orders, Carnivora, Proboscidea, Perissodactyla, and Artio dactyla, from the Pleistocene Trlica locality (Montenegro), based on the material of excavation in 2010–2014 is provided. Two faunal levels (TRL11–10 and TRL6–5) which are referred to two different stages of faunal evolution in the Central Balkans are recognized. These are (1) late Early Pleistocene (Late Villafranchian) and (2) very late Early Pleistocene–early Middle Pleistocene (Epivillafranchian–Early Galerian). Keywords: large mammals, Early–Middle Pleistocene, Central Balkans DOI: 10.1134/S0031030115060143 INTRODUCTION of the Middle Pleistocene (Dimitrijevic, 1990; Forsten The study of the mammal fauna from the Trlica and Dimitrijevic, 2002–2003; Dimitrijevic et al., locality (Central Balkans, northern Montenegro), sit 2006); the MNQ20–MNQ22 zones (Codrea and uated 2.5 km from Pljevlja, provides new information Dimitrijevic, 1997); terminal Early Pleistocene improving the knowledge of historical development of (CrégutBonnoure and Dimitrijevic, 2006; Argant the terrestrial biota of Europe in the Pleistocene and and Dimitrijevic, 2007), Mimomys savinipusillus biochronology. In addition, this study is of interest Zone (Bogicevic and Nenadic, 2008); or Epivillafran in connection with the fact that Trlica belongs to chian (Kahlke et al., 2011).
    [Show full text]
  • Accounting for Intraspecific Variation Transforms Our Understanding of Artiodactyl Social Evolution
    ACCOUNTING FOR INTRASPECIFIC VARIATION TRANSFORMS OUR UNDERSTANDING OF ARTIODACTYL SOCIAL EVOLUTION By Monica Irene Miles Loren D. Hayes Hope Klug Associate Professor of UC Foundation Associate Professor of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science (Chair) (Committee Member) Timothy Gaudin UC Foundation Professor of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science (Committee Member) ACCOUNTING FOR INTRASPECIFIC VARIATION TRANSFORMS OUR UNDERSTANDING OF ARTIODACTYL SOCIAL EVOLUTION By Monica Irene Miles A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Degree of Master of Science: Environmental Science The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chattanooga, Tennessee December 2018 ii Copyright © 2018 By Monica Irene Miles All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT A major goal in the study of mammalian social systems has been to explain evolutionary transitions in social traits. Recent comparative analyses have used phylogenetic reconstructions to determine the evolution of social traits but have omitted intraspecific variation in social organization (IVSO) and mating systems (IVMS). This study was designed to summarize the extent of IVSO and IVMS in Artiodactyla and Perissodactyla, and determine the ancestral social organization and mating system for Artiodactyla. Some 82% of artiodactyls showed IVSO, whereas 31% exhibited IVMS; 80% of perissodactyls had variable social organization and only one species showed IVMS. The ancestral population of Artiodactyla was predicted to have variable social organization (84%), rather than solitary or group-living. A clear ancestral mating system for Artiodactyla, however, could not be resolved. These results show that intraspecific variation is common in artiodactyls and perissodactyls, and suggest a variable ancestral social organization for Artiodactyla.
    [Show full text]