Reproductive pauses by female caribou
Cameron RD. 1994. Reproductive pauses by female caribou. Journal of Mammalogy. 75(1):10-13
Parturition status of 53 radiocollared, female caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) of the central Arctic herd was determined through repeated observations by fixed-wing aircraft during 2-5 periods of parturition. The overall frequency of reproductive pauses for females that were initially parturient, or previously confirmed to be parturient, was 24% (ca. once every 4 years). Most pauses preceded (78%) and followed (87%) parturition events. Periodic infertility, as a response to nutritional stress, may enhance long-term reproductive performance in caribou and other ungulates.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Cameron, Raymond
- Units
- ARCN , BELA , CAKR , GAAR , KOVA , NOAT
- Keywords
- Alaska, Arctic, Caribou, Rangifer tarandus, reproductive pause