View
0
Download
0
Category
Preview:
Citation preview
Ashwin Naidu School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona
Ashwin Naidu Lindsay Smythe Ron Thompson Melanie Culver
A brief history of mountain lions
Current concern – bighorn sheep decline
Investigating mountain lions on Kofa NWR
Current study objectives in SW AZ + P.O.A.
Why the rivers? + How you can help…
Major historical radiations -One locally distributed -One broad ranging
Culver et al. 2000
http://www.mountainlion.org/facts_biology.a
sp
Major restrictions to gene flow: 6 distinct sub-species Puma concolor couguar
Culver et al. 2000
Mountain lion GPS-tracks (AGFD data, 2007-2009)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
2000 2003 2006 2008
39W
41E
41W
44BS
45A
45B
45C
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
2000 2003 2006 2008
Total All Units
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1995 1997 2000 2003 2006 2007 2008 2009
Nu
mb
er
of
Ind
ivid
ua
ls
Population Size Estimates (USFWS)
Mule deer
Bighorn sheep
Drought Predation Disease Hunting
Number of Mountain Lions on Kofa NWR
Diet Composition of Mountain Lions and Bobcats
Mountain lion scat sample locations (red dots)
Sex ID Individual ID
DNA extraction
Species ID
1 3 54
11 Individual Mountain Lions – Captures Over Time
54
51
Prey Species Identification
Prey species identification success ~ 100%
Summary - Implications
11 individuals – Including 6 males, 2 females
Primary prey – Mule deer, Bighorn sheep
Predation risk assessment for bighorn sheep
Designation of management units
Bobcat diet – Prey species
Genetics greatly added to camera and GPS data
1. Human created barriers = gene flow barriers?
GIS models (estimate) vs. Genetic data (truth)
2. Source Population Identification
3. Population size estimate – Habitat type?
4. Diet/Food Habits – Prey selection behavior?
SPECIES
SEX
INDIVIDUALS
SOURCE POPULATIONS
RELATEDNESS – KINSHIP/PARENTAGE
DIET
Recommended