Wildlife_Ecology_Exam_Review

Age, Sex, and Life History Overview
- Examines age and sex determination in various species including amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and game birds.
- Key methodologies include:
  - Teeth radiographs (American marten and fisher)
  - Wing and tail examination (Wild Turkey, Ruffed Grouse, American Woodcock)
  - Examination of sagittal sutures for developmental stages.
Species-Specific Age and Sex Determination Techniques
- Muskrats: Determined by teeth shape, pelt primeness.
- Raccoon: Sex categorized by baculum.
- White-Tailed Deer: Age is categorized by tooth wear and eruption detailed in age classes (fawn, yearling, adult).
- Moose: Sex, age, and antler classification assessed via tooth wear and eruption.
- Bovidae: Age determined by horn characteristics.
- Puddle Ducks: Age and sex established through wing analysis.
- American Black Bear: Age determined using cementum annuli.
- Tools: Vernier calipers for precise measurements.
Life Histories of Selected Species
- White-Tailed Deer:
  - Habitat: Open forest; population rebound post-logging.
  - Social structure: Males solitary while females with offspring.
  - Lifespan: 3-6 years in the wild, 23 in captivity.
- Moose:
  - Habitat: Boreal forests; diets primarily leaves and aquatic plants.
  - Lifespan: Similar to deer; calves stay with mothers until breeding season.
- Elk:
  - Habitat: Open meadows; population reintroduced post-decline.

Habitat and Range
- Historically widespread, current range has contracted; prefers dense woods and swampy areas.
- Home ranges vary, typically 500 to 15,000 hectares, with overlaps near food.
Behavior and Activity
- Active any time, but diurnal behavior declines near human areas.
- Denning: Simple dens in winter; alternate resting under shrubs in warm.
- Carnivorean Lethargy: Unique dormancy from Nov-Apr, physiological changes including significant heart rate drop.
- Diet: Carrion, invertebrates, fruits; rarer predation on live prey.
Reproduction
- Females breed every two years; cubs are weaned by September; males can travel vast distances seeking territories.
- Lifespan: Up to 19 years in the wild.
- Mortality Factors: Young bears face malnutrition; adult mortality often human-induced.

Beaver History
- Historically widespread; populations declined due to trapping. Conservation efforts aided recovery.
Habitat Preferences
- Thrive by lakes or slow streams; favor young forests (Aspen, Willow, Alder).
Lodge and Dam Construction
- Lodges are built for insulation against predators; dams are created to maintain optimal habitat conditions.
- Keystone Species: Their engineering significantly alters the ecosystem by generating wetlands.
Feeding Behavior
- Primarily nocturnal; diets vary by season—store food underwater in winter, consume more plant matter in summer.
Reproductive Behavior
- Monogamous pairs, typical litter 2-4 kits; bonding lasts for years.

Habitat
- Prefers marshy or slow-moving waters, builds lodges above the waterline.
- Den structure adapts for protection during harsh climates.
Activity Patterns
- Constructs navigational canals and creates winter breathing holes.
Feeding and Territory
- Diet includes aquatic plants and small invertebrates.
- Territoriality marked through musky secretions.
Reproduction
- Monogamous behavior with multiple litters yearly; kits stay close to parents initially.

Age Classification Techniques
- Deer anatomy used for sex identification, particularly antler structures that indicate maturity.
- Metrics like antler length provide critical age indicators.
Moose and Raccoon Age Classes
- Differentiation made based on horn classification and baculum features in raccoons.
- Primeness of muskrats indicates ideal fur conditions for sustainable hunting practices.

Tooth Characteristics
- Muskrat teeth show differences between adults and juveniles; senior deer exhibit pronounced wear patterns.
Implications for Aging
- Aging deer provides insights into the health of populations, connecting tooth analysis to life expectancy and environmental factors.
Anatomy Terms
- Definitions for crest, cusp, enamel, dentine, and infundibulum.
- Specific age characteristics defined for fawns and young adult deer.

Frog Sexing
- Notable dimensions of tympanic membranes aid classification; adult males show distinct throats.
Reptiles
- Snakes and turtles determined using tail thickness and vent positions; hemipenes influence sexual identification.
Bird Sexing
- Plumage characteristics vary by species; physical measurements often assist with age determination.

Feather Analysis
- Age determined by feather condition—key differences observed in juvenile versus adult plumage.
Upland Game Aging Techniques
- Differences in feather molting patterns discerned between juvenile and adult birds.

Ruffed Grouse
- Age classified via outer primary shape; distinguishing characteristics noted between genders.
American Woodcock
- Size differences in bills and wings are critical for identifying sex; feather patterns in juveniles differ from adults.

Identification Methods
- Pheasant spurs assist age identification; adult features marked by maturity in coloration and morphology.
Turkey Identification
- Breeding season transformation marked in males; distinct breast features support sex determination.

Feather Diversity
- Overall feather health and morphology reveal age; tertials provide significant differentiation metrics.

Estrus Cycle Overview
- Anestrus: Sexual inactivity phase.
- Proestrus: Follicular maturation.
- Estrus: Ready for mating and male acceptance.
- Diestrus: Non-receptive phase following mating.