Does Predation Influence the Seasonal and Diel Timing of Moose Calving in Central Ontario, Canada?

ABSTRACT: Birth synchrony is well documented among ungulates and is hypothesised to maximize neonate survival, either by minimizing the risk of predation through predator swamping or by synchronising birthing with increased seasonal food availability. We used encapsulated vaginal implant transmitters to locate and capture neonatal moose calves and document the seasonal and diel timing of parturition in two adjacent study areas with different predation pressure in central Ontario, Canada. We tested the hypothesis that predation promotes earlier and more synchronous birth of moose calves. Across both areas, proportionately more births occurred during the afternoon and fewer than expected occurred overnight. Mean date of calving averaged 1.5 days earlier and calving was also more synchronous in the stu

SUBMITTER: Patterson BR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4833312 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature