Thursday, June 01, 2006
Mountain Lion Research
POPULATION GENETICS OF MOUNTAIN LION IN TEXAS
Researchers: Jan Janecka, John Young (Texas Parks and Wildlife), Michael Tewes
Several important population parameters that must be taken into consideration for management of mountain lions in Texas are the stability and size of the population and population structure. The goal of this project is to examine population genetics of mountain lions in Texas. This study will provide information on population subdivision, gene flow, and population history that will be useful for management decisions. This project is being conduct with support and funding from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
In a previous study, Walker et al. (2000) found evidence that mountain lions in Texas have reduced genetic variation compared to other regions of the country. In addition, they found that mountain lions from south and west Texas regions represent two subpopulations with reduced gene flow. However, due to the limited sample size they were unable to make clear management recommendations.
We will use microsatellite loci to examine population parameters and structure of mountain lions in Texas. We will address the following objectives: (1) characterize population structure in Texas, (2) estimate the level of geneflow between metapopulations, and (3) examine if the mountain lion population has recently expanded or been reduced.
Interspecific competition between jaguars and pumas: A REVIEW
Aaron M. Haines
The jaguar (Panthera onca) and puma (Puma Concolor) are both large high trophic level carnivores that coexist throughout Central and most of South America. Many studies have been conducted that have theorized about methods of coexistence exhibited by sympatric jaguars and pumas. By reviewing the literature, I assessed if habitat and/or prey are partitioned between jaguars and pumas. Many studies support the concept of prey portioning between pumas and jaguars where the species are sympatric. In addition, it is hypothesized that pumas in the tropics have a smaller body size to select smaller prey items to minimize competition with jaguars. However, evidence may suggest that puma size throughout its range may simply reflect the fact that they have evolved to concentrate on various prey species regardless of competition with jaguars. However, current anthropogenic effects can potentially cause changes between jaguar and puma coexistence. Jaguars may suffer more from declining prey populations caused by man because of predator/prey relationships in Neotropical environments, and the jaguar’s dependence on diverse Neotropical prey species. However, the more adaptable puma may fair better under current anthropogenic effects being more a generalist and able to adapt quicker by sustaining itself on smaller and more diverse prey species.
