Thesis
A comparison of nutritional and foraging ecology of sympatric mule and white-tailed deer in northeastern Washington
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2017
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/102675
Abstract
Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are the only two endemic members of the Odocoileus genus found in North America. As large, charismatic species, much research has been conducted to compare nutrition, survival, reproductive success, and habitat associations in areas with sympatric overlap of wild deer. However, there is a gap in knowledge of behavior and foraging responses of the two species under identical conditions at the same time. We hand-raised fawns of both species at the same time under the same conditions. We then transported 8, female tractable animals (4 of each species) to the Colville National Forest in northeastern Washington, an area with historical and current sympatric deer. We constructed ~0.5 ha temporary enclosures in 21 different sites within the dry Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) habitat type from June-August 2016. We recorded behavioral observations and conducted intensive foraging trials on each animal in each pen where we measured plants eaten, number of bites of each plant, bite size, and distance travelled. We collected representative diets based on foraging trials to calculate digestible energy and protein of selected diets. Overall, mule and white-tailed deer had similar behaviors across all 21 sites. Mule deer had higher bite rates (bites/min) and intake rates (g/min) and white-tailed deer walked farther while foraging and had higher digestible energy and protein of diets. Mule deer spent more time foraging so had higher overall daily energy intake and daily protein intake. Both deer also had high levels of overlap of plant use within their diets. While under identical conditions, mule deer and white-tailed deer exhibited slightly different foraging strategies and indicate potential for resource competition under identical conditions. For managers using habitat treatments to provide forage for deer species, it is important to use treatments that support a variety of plants, as well as high amounts of available forage so mule deer and white-tailed deer may be better able to co-exist.
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Details
- Title
- A comparison of nutritional and foraging ecology of sympatric mule and white-tailed deer in northeastern Washington
- Creators
- Stephanie Lynn Berry
- Contributors
- Lisa A. Shipley (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Environment, School of the (CAHNRS)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525389801842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis