Possible negative effects of adult male mortality on female grizzly bear reproduction

摘要: We studied 2 grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) populations to test 3 hypotheses on the effects of adult male mortality female reproduction. The “no effect” hypothesis predicts that reproduction should be higher in population with superior overall diet quality, regardless males. “increased reproduction” hunted because lowered numbers competitive or cannibalistic “decreased lower increased immigration by potentially infanticidal, nonsire males subsequent reduced survival cubs, and/or sexual segregation resulting production cubs. Reproduction rates were 0.46 a Kananaskis, Alberta and 0.74 non-hunted Selkirk Mountains Idaho British Columbia. Mean litter size was smaller Kananaskis than Selkirks (1.40 vs 2.22) but age at first parturition earlier (5.50 7.30 years). birth intervals not different between populations. Age mothers, total density associated differences reproduction, avoidance (sexual segregation) immigrant food-rich habitats were. Our results are inconsistent consistent hypothesis. Higher hunting older coincided Kananaskis. Adult females avoided those their appeared suffer as result.