Abstract: Abstract Using dental microwear textural analysis, we aim to
explore variations in feeding habits within and between wild
reindeer populations (Rangifer tarandus) in Norway.
Specimens from the two wild reindeer areas of Knutshø and
Hardangervidda were hunted between late August and the end
of September 2014, and found to share very similar topological
and ecological characteristics (continental alpine tundra).
Despite the homogenisation of plant resources at the end of the
snow-free period, dental microwear textural analysis on cheek
teeth indicates differences in feeding behaviors between the two
populations, in that reindeer from Knutshø might display a more
Bgrazing^ signal than the ones from Hardangervidda. Such differences
in dental microwear textures reflect the differences in
feeding habits that could be linkedwith differences in population
density of reindeer. The Knutshø reindeer density is lower than
at Hardangervidda, where primary food resources like grasses,
sedges, and lichens are less abundant. Analyses also show the
differences in gender for the population of Knutshø, but more
studies are necessary for the clearest interpretation of data. Our
results emphasize the need to explore local variations at amonthly
time frame in order to better assess the versatility of dental
microwear textures before applying this kind of analysis to either
extant or extinct multi-population scales.
Fuente: Mammal Research, 2017, 62, 111-120
Editorial: Spinger
Año de publicación: 2017
Nº de páginas: 10
Tipo de publicación: Artículo de Revista
DOI: 10.1007/s13364-016-0304-y
ISSN: 2199-2401,2199-241X