ANALYSIS OF FEMALE FERTILITY OF THE TAIMYR WILD REINDEER POPULATION (RANGIFER TARANDUS)

摘要

Results of studies on the seasonal dynamics of female fertility in the Taimyr wild reindeer population over the year are presented, namely, potential fertility of animals of different reproductive cohorts, based on data for April and May; implemented fertility after calving, based on data for July; and actual fertility data for the period from August to November. There was a significant difference between potential and actual fertility. Thus, by the beginning of the autumn-winter period the proportion of females of all age classes together with calves under one year is significantly reduced due to high infant calf mortality. The timing of puberty in tundra wild reindeer females, as well as parameters of population fertility depending on age and specific conditions of individual reproductive seasons are considered and analyzed. We also consider the causes of pauses in the reproduction of the species and the possible number of offspring of females of different reproductive status. In addition, we present an assessment of the level of reproduction of the Taimyr wild reindeer population in the first decade of the 21st century.