Vancouver Island marmot

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Vancouver Island Marmot
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Marmota
Subgenus: Petromarmota
Species: M. vancouverensis
Binomial name
Marmota vancouverensis
(Swarth, 1911)

The Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis) naturally occurs only in the high mountains of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada. This particular marmot species is large compared to some other marmots, and most other rodents. Indeed marmots as a group are the largest members of the squirrel family, with weights varying from 3 to 7 kg depending on the time of year.[2]

Although endemic to Vancouver Island, Marmota vancouverensis now also resides successfully at several captive breeding centres across Canada.[3] This is the result of an ongoing recovery program designed to prevent extinction and restore self-sustaining wild populations of this uniquely Canadian species.[4]


Contents

[edit] General description

The Vancouver Island marmot is typical of alpine-dwelling marmots in general form and physiology. However this species can be easily distinguished from other marmots by its rich, chocolate brown fur and contrasting white patches. No other marmot species naturally occurs on Vancouver Island.[5] The Vancouver Island marmot, as its name suggests, is geographically restricted to Vancouver Island, and apparently has evolved rapidly since retreat of the Cordilleran glaciation some 10,000 years before present. Marmota vancouverensis is distinct from other marmot species in terms of morphology,[6] genetics,[7] behaviour,[8] and ecology.[9]

An adult Vancouver Island Marmot typically measures 65 to 70 centimetres measured from the tip of its nose to the tip of its tail. Weights show tremendous seasonal variation. An adult female that weighs 3 kilograms when she emerges from hibernation in late April can weigh 4.5 to 5.5 kg by the onset of hibernation in late September or October. Adult males can be even larger, reaching weights of up to 7 kg. In general, marmots lose about one-third of their body mass during the six-and-a-half months in which they hibernate during winter. The body of the marmot is covered with thick hair, and the tail is fluffy and squirrel-like, accounting for about one fifth the total length of total body length. The Vancouver Island marmot has both a short head and short legs. Each foot has five digits with one claw extending from each one, with each claw having a slight curve to it, and on the bottom of each foot are a set of five or six pads. The marmot has a cheek pouch, but it is not used for anything because it lacks retractor muscles.

[edit] Life-history, habitat characteristics and population trends

Like all marmots, Vancouver Island marmots live in burrows, are obligate herbivores and hibernate for various amounts of time. Vancouver Island marmots have been documented to eat over 30 species of food plants, generally shifting from grasses in the early spring to plants such as lupines in late summer.[10] Wild Vancouver Island marmots hibernate, on average, for about 210 days of the year, generally from late September or early October until late April or early May.[11]

Vancouver Island marmots typically first breed at three or four years of age, although some have been observed to breed as two-year olds.[12] Marmots breed soon after emergence from hibernation. Gestation is thought to be approximately 30-35 days. Litter sizes average 3-4 pups, and weaned pups generally emerge above ground for the first time in early July.

Systematic marmot surveys have been conducted since 1979, with variable count effort and coverage of the Island. Suitable meadows are rare[13] compared to nearby regions of the British Columbian mainland or the Olympic peninsula of Washington State; habitat scarceness is believed to be the primary reason for the rarity of this marmot species. Most marmots live above 1000 metres elevation in meadows that face south to west. It is believed that populations expanded during the 1980s, Some natural meadows may be kept clear of invading trees by snow-creep and periodic avalanches or fire.

Causes of marmot population declines are multiple. Over the long term (i.e., periods involving thousands of years), climate changes have caused both increases and declines of open alpine habitat that constitute suitable marmot habitat.[14] Over more recent time scales, population dynamics may have been influenced by short-term weather patterns and systematic changes in the landscape. In particular, forest clearcutting at low elevations[15] likely altered dispersal patterns. Sub-adult marmots typically disperse from the subalpine meadows in which they were born. Dispersal involves traversing lowland conifer forests and valleys to other subalpine meadows. However, clearcutting has provided marmots with new open areas which constitute habitat. Unfortunately, rapid forest regeneration makes such man-made habitats unsuitable over a few years. One study concluded that clearcuts therefore act as a kind of population "sink" in which long-term reproduction and survival rates are reduced to the point of unsustainability[16] Most recent studies have shown the main cause of recent decline to be excessive predation.[17] Major predators upon Vancouver Island marmots include Golden eagles, cougars and wolves.[18]

[edit] Conservation status

The endangered Vancouver Island marmot remains one of the world's rarest mammals. In 1997 there were so few numbers of marmots on Vancouver Island that managers took the bold step of capturing some to create a "genetic lifeboat" and therefore create the possibility of restoring wild populations. The first marmots went to Toronto Zoo in 1977, but this initial effort was quickly followed by efforts made by the Calgary Zoo and Mountainview Conservation and Breeding Centre in Langley, BC. The fundamental idea was to produce new marmots in a fashion that would facilitate their eventual return to the wild.

In 1998 a new model for species recovery was born involving the government, private industry and public donors. A census in late 2003 resulted in a count of only 21 wild marmots known to be present on Vancouver Island. After these findings, marmots were released from captivity in different places to try to get the population back up to a reasonable number.


These marmots are still classified as endangered.[19] The cumulative captive breeding program has steadily grown, with 162 individuals in captivity and 60 pups born in 2007 alone. A number of individuals have been released to Strathcona Provincial Park, Mount Cain, Mount Washington and more southern mountains. In 2003, 2004, and 2005 the Toronto Zoo released marmots into the wild.[20] More releases are expected in the upcoming years to increase the wild population, estimated at 90 individuals in 2007.

[edit] Related species

The closest relatives of the Vancouver Island Marmot are the Hoary Marmot (Marmota caligata) and the Olympic Marmot (Marmota olympus).[21] Vancouver Island Marmots are distinguished from other marmots by their behaviour, genetics, ecology and unique appearance. They have-dark brown to nearly black fur, white markings on their faces, chest, and body.

[edit] Popular culture

Search Wikinews Wikinews has related news: Newspaper campaigns to elevate Vancouver Olympic character from sidekick status

Because of their endangered status, Vancouver Island Marmots have become a conservation symbol in British Columbia. Mukmuk, the "sidekick" to the three official mascots for the 2010 Winter Olympics, is portrayed as a member of the species.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Nagorsen, D.W. & NatureServe (Cannings, S. & Hammerson, G.) (2008). Marmota vancouverensis. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
  2. ^ Barash D.P. 1989. Marmots: social behavior and ecology. Stanford University Press, Stanford
  3. ^ Bryant, A.A. 2007. Recovery efforts for Vancouver Island marmots, Canada. In: Soorae PS (ed) Re-introduction news, vol 26. IUCN/ SSC Re-Introduction Specialist Group, Abu Dhabi, pp 30–32. "see here for pdf version". http://www.iucnsscrsg.org/download/RNews26.pdf. Retrieved 2009-07-14. 
  4. ^ Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Team. 2008. Recovery Strategy for the Vancouver Island Marmot (Marmota vancouverensis) in British Columbia. Prepared for the B.C. Ministry of Environment, Victoria, BC. 25 pp."see here for pdf version". http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/recovery/rcvrystrat/vi_marmot_rcvry_strat_2008%20.pdf. Retrieved 2009-07-13. 
  5. ^ Nagorsen, D.W. 1987. Marmota vancouverensis. Mammalian Species. 270:1-5 "10.2307/3503862". doi:10.2307/3503862. 
  6. ^ Cardini, A., Thorington, R.W. Jr, and Polly, P.D. 2007. Evolutionary acceleration in the most endangered mammal of Canada: speciation and divergence in the Vancouver Island marmot (Rodentia, Sciuridae). Journal of Evolutionary Biology. 20(5):1833-1846 "10.1111/j.1420-9101.2007.01398.x". doi:10.1111/j.1420-9101.2007.01398.x. 
  7. ^ Kruckenhauser, L., W. Pinsker, E. Haring and W. Arnold. 1999. Marmot phylogeny revisited: molecular evidence for a diphyletic origin of sociality. Journal of Zoology, Systematics and Evolutionary Research. 37:49-56 "10.1046/j.1439-0469.1999.95100.x". doi:10.1046/j.1439-0469.1999.95100.x. 
  8. ^ Blumstein D.T. 1999. Alarm calling in three species of marmots. Behaviour. 136:731–757 "10.1163/156853999501540". doi:10.1163/156853999501540. 
  9. ^ Bryant, A.A. 1998. Metapopulation ecology of Vancouver Island marmots (Marmota vancouverensis). PhD dissertation, University of Victoria (Victoria, BC). 125 pp.
  10. ^ Martell, A.M. and R.J. Milko. 1986. Seasonal diets of Vancouver Island marmots. Canadian Field-Naturalist. 100: 241-245.
  11. ^ Bryant, A.A., and M. McAdie. 2003. Hibernation ecology of wild and captive Vancouver Island marmots (Marmota vancouverensis). Pages 159 - 166 in R. Ramousse, D. Allaine and M. Le Berre (editors): Adaptive Strategies and Diversity in Marmots. International Marmot Network, Lyon, France."see here for PDF version". 
  12. ^ Bryant A.A. 1996. Reproduction and persistence of Vancouver Island marmots (Marmota vancouverensis) in natural and logged habitats. Canadian Journal of Zoology. 74:678–687"10.1139/z96-076". doi:10.1139/z96-076. 
  13. ^ Milko, R.J., and A.M. Bell. 1986. Subalpine meadow vegetation of south central Vancouver Island. Canadian Journal of Botany. 64: 815-821"10.1139/b86-106". doi:10.1139/b86-106. 
  14. ^ Hebda, R.J., O. McDadi and D. Mazzucchi. 2005. History of habitat and the decline of the Vancouver Island Marmot (Marmota vancouverensis). Proceedings of the Species at Risk 2004 Pathways to Recovery Conference, Victoria, B.C. Edited by T.D. Hooper."see here for PDF version". http://www.llbc.leg.bc.ca/public/PubDocs/bcdocs/400484/hebda_edited_final_feb_8.pdf. Retrieved 2009-07-13. 
  15. ^ Wilson, E.O: "The Future of Life", p. 52. Little, Brown, 2002
  16. ^ Bryant A.A. 1996. Reproduction and persistence of Vancouver Island marmots (Marmota vancouverensis) in natural and logged habitats. Canadian Journal of Zoology. 74:678–687"10.1139/z96-076". doi:10.1139/z96-076. 
  17. ^ Bryant, A.A., and R.E. Page. 2005. Timing and causes of mortality in the endangered Vancouver Island Marmot (Marmota vancouverensis). Canadian Journal of Zoology. 83: 674-682. "10.1139/z05-055". doi:10.1139/z05-055. 
  18. ^ Aaltonen, K., A.A. Bryant, J.A. Hostetler and M.K. Oli. 2009. Reintroducing endangered Vancouver Island marmots: Survival and cause-specific mortality rates of captive-born versus wild-born individuals. Biological Conservation. In press. "10.1016/j.biocon.2009.04.019". doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2009.04.019. 
  19. ^ COSEWIC. 2008. COSEWIC assessment and updated status report on the Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis) in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, Ottawa. "see here for PDF version". http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/document/dspDocument_e.cfm?documentID=1650. Retrieved 2009-07-13. 
  20. ^ "Toronto Zoo > Conservation > Mammals". http://www.torontozoo.com/conservation/mammals.asp. Retrieved 2009-09-22. 
  21. ^ Steppan, S.J., Akhverdyan, M.R., Lyapunova, E.A., Fraser, D.G., Vorontsov, N.N., Hoffmann, R.S., and Braun, M.J. 1999. Molecular phylogeny of the marmots (Rodentia: Sciuridae): Tests of evolutionary and biogeographic hypotheses. Systematic Biology. 48: 715-734 "10.1080/106351599259988". doi:10.1080/106351599259988. 

[edit] Further Reading

  • Bryant, Andrew, with Don Blood. "Vancouver Island marmot". http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/marmot.pdf. Retrieved 14 July 2009. . Species at Risk series, B.C. Ministry of Environment, Victoria, February 1999. 6 pp. Note: this contains some good photographs and a reasonably complete overview of the species.
  • Champan, Joseph A., and George A. Feldhamer, eds. Wild Mammals of North America. The John Hopkins UP, 1982.
  • Markels, Alex. "'Last stand". http://www.audubonmagazine.org/features0405/endangered-species.html. Retrieved 14 July 2009.  Audubon Magazine, May 2004.
  • Michael, Huchins, ed. "Vancouver Island Marmot." Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopidia. 16 vols. Gale, 2004.
  • Thorington, R. W. Jr. and R. S. Hoffman. 2005. Family Sciuridae. Pp. 754–818 in Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.
  • Wilson, Don E., and Sue Ruff, eds. The Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals. Washington: Smithsonian Institution, 1999.
  • "Vancouver Island Marmot." World Book Encyclopedia. 13th ed. Chicago: World Book Incorporated, 2008.
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