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Geology topics

L.D. Mech

Publications and source records attributed to L.D. Mech.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
USGS1985

Chemical investigations of wolf (Canis lupus) anal-sac secretion in relation to breeding season

The volatile constituents of wolf anal-sac secretions were examined via capillary gas chromatography and compared among intact males, females, castrate males, ovariectomized females, and anosmic and pinealectomized males and females. Some chemical compounds were deemed significantly different ( t test, 95% confidence level) among the groups both during and outside of the mating season, implying that the volatile components of anal-sac secretion can be used to communicate information regarding gender or endocrine state. As a result of treating the anal sac with antibiotics, some of these compounds, including 1-octen-3-ol and indole, were implicated as being products of microbial action. In addition, short-chain carboxylic acids were investigated and essentially no significant variations were seen among the groups.

Journal of Chemical Ecology↗
USGS1985

Deposition of anal-sac secretions by captive wolves (Canis lupus)

Deposition of anal-sac secretions by captive wolves was investigated by a labelling technique using protein-bound iodine 125 and food dye. Wolves deposited secretions on some but not all scats. Adult males, especially the alpha male, deposited anal-sac secretions more frequently while defecating than did females or juveniles. Secretions sometimes also were deposited independently of defecation, suggesting a dual role in communication by these substances.

Journal of Mammalogy↗
USGS1985

Observation of a wolf killed by a deer

Wolves (Canis lupus ) probably risk injury while attempting to kill large prey (Muie, 1944; Rausch, 1967; Mech, 1970; Peterson, 1977). Rausch (1967) found that numerous wolf skulls collected in a control program had sustained injuries, probably inflicted by severe blows from moose (Alces alces ). Wolves killed by prey seldom if ever are found. The authors located only three such published records, two involving moose (MacFarlane, 1905; Stanwell-Fletcher and Stanwell-Fletcher, 1942), and one involving deer (Odocoileus virginianus ) (Frijlink, 1977). In the latter case, the wolf was rabid and apparently was killed by a blow to the head, presumably by a hoof.

Journal of Mammalogy↗
USGS1985

Yohimbine hydrochloride as an antagonist to xylazine hydrochloride-ketamine hydrochloride immobilization of white-tailed deer

Thirteen captive and one free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were immobilized one to six times each with ketamine hydrochloride and xylazine hydrochloride during winter and spring in northern Minnesota. Administration of 0.09 to 0.53 mg of yohimbine hydrochloride per kg IV after each trial reversed the immobilization. The deer raised their heads within a median time of 2.0 min, stood in 6.0 min and walked away in 9.5 min. No adverse side effects were observed for several weeks following the immobilization.

Journal of Wildlife Diseases↗
USGS1984

Home-range formation and dispersal of deer in northeastern Minnesota

Eleven white-tailed ( Odocoileus virginianus ) does and their offspring (10 male and 6 female fawns) were radio-tracked for up to 56 months (2,725 total deer locations) in Minnesota's Superior National Forest from November 1974 through August 1983. All fawns wintered in yards with their does and migrated in spring to their does' summer ranges where they then separated from the does. By 17 months of age, seven males had established new summer ranges up to 9.6 km away, whereas the other three used the same summer ranges as their does, up to at least 29 months of age. One male established a new winter range, but six others continued to use the winter ranges of their does. The female fawns used the same summer range as their does, or areas immediately adjacent, and migrated to and from the same winter ranges, some with their does, for up to 3 years of age. The one female that we followed beyond this age migrated separately to and from the same winter yard during her fifth year. The data fit a hypothesis that non-incestuous inbreeding is common in vertebrates.

Journal of Mammalogy↗
USGS1984

Movements of translocated wolves in Minnesota

From Feb. 1975-May 1978, 104 wolves ( Canis lupus ) captured at or near Minnesota farms where depredations on livestock had been reported were translocated northward and eastward for 50-317 km into extensive forests; 3 others were released westward. Nine wolves were translocated twice, and 1 three times. Information on movements was obtained by radiotracking 17 wolves and by recovery of 16 others. All radio-tagged wolves left the release areas; adults left quickly, but pups generally remained longer, behaved less decisively, and settled nearby temporarily. Wolves released together did not remain together. Initial travel of most radio-tagged adults was between south and west, the general direction to their original location. Final directions were primarily to the west and northwest, due in part to physiographic barriers. Eight adults homed, 1 twice, to capture areas that were < 64 km from release sites. Nonhoming wolves were radiotracked and/or recovered 32-351 km from their capture sites and 23-302 km from their release sites. Translocation was largely unsuccessful at keeping problem wolves out of lifestock production areas. The problem of initial travel away from release sites in wolf reintroductions probably could be minimized by transport and release of 6-9 mo. old wolves.

Minnesota↗
USGS1984

Recuperation of a severely debilitated wolf

Opportunities are rare for determining the degree to which an animal can starve and still survive. Therefore we describe here an incident in which a wild wolf ( Canis lupus ) starved almost to death and was then restored to her former free-ranging state. The incident took place in northern Lake County, Minnesota

Journal of Wildlife Diseases↗
USGS1984

Radio-triggered anesthetic-dart collar for recapturing large mammals

A re-usable, radio-triggered, anesthetic-dart collar costing about $1,200 has been developed for recapturing large, free-ranging mammals. The collar was tested successfully on captive gray wolves, white-tailed deer, a mountain lion, a black bear, and a tiger, and on wild wolves, a bear, and deer after periods of up to 32 days. The main advantage of the capture collar is that it allows frequent recapture of individuals at will and thus enhances opportunities for new physiological monitoring of wild animals.

Wildlife Society Bulletin↗
USGS1983

Wolf pack spacing: Howling as a territory-independent spacing mechanism in a territorial population

Howling is a principle means of spacing in wolf populations. The relationship between a pack's responses to howling (replies, movements) and its location within its home range, was studied using human-simulated howling in a territorial population in northeastern Minnesota. The results indicated the responses were independent of the pack's location, or the locations of the pack and playback relation to the territory center. These results indicate that howling serves as a territory-independent spacing mechanism, that will result in the use of exclusive territories when coupled with strong, year-round site attachment, but with floating, exclusive, buffer-areas about migratory packs.

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology↗
USGS1983

Blood indicators of seasonal metabolic patterns in captive adult gray wolves

Blood samples and physical data were collected weekly from a colony of gray wolves ( Canis lupus ) maintained under natural weather arid light conditions. Sampling over 33 continuous months indicated that hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cells, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and thyroxine exhibited consistent circannual patterns of variation in both males and females. Hemoglobin levels peaked at 15-16 g/dl in January in females and at 16-17 g/dl in February in males, and were lowest in August at 10.5-11.5 g/dl (P < 0.00001). The cyclic patterns of hematocrit, red blood cells, and MCHC were similarly timed. Females also had a cyclic pattern of white blood cell counts and body weight; their weight peaked in early February and was lowest in August (P < 0.001). Body temperature, urea nitrogen, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), serum glucose, and cortisol did not follow a consistent seasonal pattern.

Journal of Wildlife Management↗