BIRTH RATES AND NEONATE SURVIVAL IN A PARASITE RICH MOOSE POPULATION IN VERMONT, USA

Abstract

Moose (Alces alces) populations are declining across much of their southern geographic range in North America. In Vermont and other northeastern states, measurable declines are attributed to low calf survival and reduced productivity associated with persistent winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus) parasitism. In 2017–2020, we studied 75 radio-collared female moose (38 calves and 37 adults) in Vermont to examine physiological, spatial, and temporal parameters relative to calf survival and adult productivity. Physiological measures included concentration of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCM) which reflects stress, and urea nitrogen:creatinine ratios in urine (UN:C) which proxy nutritional state. The pregnancy rate at capture across years was 0.67 (95% CI = 0.50 – 0.80), and was negatively related to presence of lungworm (Dictyocaulus spp.). The birth rate calculated as the average number of offspring delivered per adult female was <1.0 overall (2017–2020, LCI = 0.22, UCI = 0.86), similar across years, but increased with age. Logistic exposure models indicated that daily calf survival to 60 d increased as Julian birth date and days since birth increased (log odds = 0.0819, SE = 0.0215). The per capita independence rate, or rate that adult females add independent calves to the population, was negatively related to UN:C ratios and positively with fGCM. Further, this rate was related to autumnal habitat use of adult females; it was greater in home ranges characterized by large amounts of mature (canopy) evergreen forests and wetland habitats, and small amounts of mixed forests and elevation than in ranges with abundant levels of mixed forest at high elevation. We conclude that winter ticks can negatively affect moose fecundity, and efforts to reduce host (moose) density through harvest or parasite (host) abundance through habitat manipulation may improve productivity and recruitment in local moose populations.