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

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Major restrictions to gene flow: 6 distinct sub-species Puma concolor couguar

Culver et al. 2000

Mountain lion GPS-tracks (AGFD data, 2007-2009)

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44BS

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2000 2003 2006 2008

Total All Units

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1995 1997 2000 2003 2006 2007 2008 2009

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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

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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