STATUS OF REINTRODUCTIONS OF THREE LARGE HERBIVORES IN RUSSIA

Reintroductions of muskoxen (Ovibus moschatus), European bison (Bison bonasus), and moose (Alces alces) have occurred recently in Russia. Although the process of capturing and moving muskoxen was problematic in remote areas, the reintroduction of animals from Canada and the USA successfully restored this extirpated species, and the current population in northern Russia serves as a source for further transplants. European bison populations were stagnant and suffered from inbreeding in Russia prior to reintroduction of captive animals from throughout Europe. The population in Orlovskoye Polesie National Park has experienced population growth with improved genetic potential. Of concern is that reintroductions in other areas of Russia were unsuccessful and the global population of European bison is not improving. Moose from the Penzhina River area in Russia were successfully reintroduced to the Kamchatka Peninsula where they were absent for >400 years. The population is growing and dispersing across the peninsula from the transplant sites, and is among the largest physically in Eurasia

FRAGMENTATION OF EURASIAN MOOSE POPULATIONS DURING PERIODS OF POPULATION DEPRESSION

Changes in the distribution of Eurasian moose (Alces alces) populations during the Pleistocene and Holocene eras were analyzed from historical and contemporary literature. We focused on how range boundaries varied, suitable habitat was fragmented, and how local and regional populations were isolated, especially during periods of population depression. We discuss how the occurrence and duration of isolation of local populations likely influenced the genetic structure of Eurasian moose. We question the geographic division of certain subspecies, and suggest that our analysis be used to reinterpret and revise genetic structure of Eurasian moose populations

Colonizing the High Arctic : Mitochondrial DNA reveals common origin of Eurasian archipelagic reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)

Funding: The study was supported by the ERC Advanced Grant “Arctic Domus” ERC AdG 295458 based at the University of Aberdeen (http://www.arcticdomus.org/). Funding was recieved by DGA. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Challenges and science-based implications for modern management and conservation of European ungulate populations

Wildlife management systems face growing challenges to cope with increasingly complex interactions between wildlife populations, the environment and human activities. In this position statement, we address the most important issues characterising current ungulate conservation and management in Europe. We present some key points arising from ecological research that may be critical for a reassessment of ungulate management in the future. Ecosystem . Population sustainability . Science-basedmanagement .Wildlifemanagement .Adaptive managemen

Species-specific responses of Late Quaternary megafauna to climate and humans

Despite decades of research, the roles of climate and humans in driving the dramatic extinctions of large-bodied mammals during the Late Quaternary remain contentious. We use ancient DNA, species distribution models and the human fossil record to elucidate how climate and humans shaped the demographic history of woolly rhinoceros, woolly mammoth, wild horse, reindeer, bison and musk ox. We show that climate has been a major driver of population change over the past 50,000 years. However, each species responds differently to the effects of climatic shifts, habitat redistribution and human encroachment. Although climate change alone can explain the extinction of some species, such as Eurasian musk ox and woolly rhinoceros, a combination of climatic and anthropogenic effects appears to be responsible for the extinction of others, including Eurasian steppe bison and wild horse. We find no genetic signature or any distinctive range dynamics distinguishing extinct from surviving species, underscoring the challenges associated with predicting future responses of extant mammals to climate and human-mediated habitat change.This paper is in the memory of our friend and colleague Dr. Andrei Sher, who was a major contributor of this study. Dr Sher died unexpectedly, but his major contributions to the field of Quaternary science will be remembered and appreciated for many years to come. We are grateful to Dr. Adrian Lister and Dr. Tony Stuart for guides and discussions. Thanks to Tina B. Brandt, Dr. Bryan Hockett and Alice Telka for laboratory help and samples and to L. Malik R. Thrane for his work on the megafauna locality database. Data taken from the Stage 3 project was partly funded by Grant #F/757/A from the Leverhulme Trust, together with a grant from the McDonald Grants and Awards Fund. We acknowledge the Danish National Research Foundation, the Lundbeck Foundation, the Danish Council for Independent Research and the US National Science Foundation for financial suppor

Frequencies of CR haplotype clusters in the sampled reindeer populations.

<p>Frequencies of haplotypes belonging to sub-cluster <b>Ic</b>, <b>Id</b>, <b>Ie</b> and cluster <b>II</b> in all seven populations. Haplotypes that did not cluster with any of the previously described clusters were placed in cluster <b>I</b>. Haplotype frequencies are calculated from the 400 bp long fragment for all populations, except haplotype frequencies in the ancient material from Franz Josef Land, which were calculated from the 190 bp long fragment. Haplotype frequencies show that <b>Ic</b> haplotypes are common on Svalbard, Novaia Zemlia and in the ancient material from Franz Josef Land. <b>Ic</b> haplotypes are also found in the Pechora- and Peza River populations, but are absent in the domestic reindeer population sampled on Kolguev.</p

Sampling locations and phylogenetic network showing genealogical relationships in the CR between reindeer populations.

<p>Map of Northern Eurasia, with focus on the Eurasian Arctic archipelagos, showing the geographic origin of the samples (a) and a MJ network of the 122 CR sequences (400 bp) (b). Five previously described haplotype clusters (<b>Ic</b>, <b>Id</b>, <b>Ie</b>, and <b>II</b>) [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0165237#pone.0165237.ref026" target="_blank">26</a>, <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0165237#pone.0165237.ref069" target="_blank">69</a>] are identified. The MJ network show haplotype sharing between Svalbard (turquoise), Novaia Zemlia (green) and Pechora River (pink) within sub-cluster <b>Ic</b>. Including the Franz Josef Land samples (asterisk) show that 13 of the 15 ancient samples sequenced were identical to the most common haplotype found on Svalbard and on Novaia Zemlia. We also found one individual with a haplotype belonging to sub-cluster <b>Ie</b>, and one haplotype that is unique for Franz Josef Land. The map (a) is printed here for the first time under a CC BY license, with permission of the cartographer Allessandro Pasquini.</p

Muskox status, recent variation, and uncertain future

Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) are an integral component of Arctic biodiversity. Given low genetic diversity, their ability to respond to future and rapid Arctic change is unknown, although paleontological history demonstrates adaptability within limits. We discuss status and limitations of current monitoring, and summarize circumpolar status and recent variations, delineating all 55 endemic or transl ocated populations. Acknowledging uncertainties, global abundance is ca 170 000 muskoxen. Not all populations are thriving. Six populations are in decline, and as recently as the turn of the century, one of these was the largest population in the world, equaling ca 41% of today’s total abundance. Climate, disease s, and anthropogenic changes are likely the principal drivers of muskox population change and result in multiple stressors that vary temporally and spatially. Impacts to muskoxen are precipitated by habitat loss/degradation, altered vegetation and species associations, pollution, and harvest. Whi ch elements are relevant for a specific population will vary, as will their cumulative interactions. Our summaries highlight the importance of harmonizing existing data, intensifying long-term monitoring efforts including demographics and health assessments, standardizing and implementing monitoring protocols, and increasing stakeholder engagement/contributions. Abundance Circumpolar Drivers Ovibos Population status TrendspublishedVersio