Bison

About this book

Bison: Mating and Conservation in Small Populations examines life and mating in small populations by using the North American Bison as a case study. Berger and Cunningham's research reveals insights on the past and present behavior and ecology of the continent's largest terrestrial mammal. The two authors employ historical data and new findings, collected over a five-year period, to resolve such complex questions as: How does nondispersal affect population? What happens when only a small proportion of the males mate? To what extent does a lack of predators affect behavior? Why do animals in particular areas experience morphological malformations? How much genetic diversity has been lost since the nineteenth century? The authors also discuss the consequences of mating failures, lineage differences in growth and morphological anomalies, and mechanisms that facilitate birth synchrony. Rich in natural history, theory, and practice, Bison: Mating and Conservation in Small Populations delves into behavioral ecology, mate choice, endangered species management, and the conservation of ecosystems.