Diet and diseases of Zion Canyon mule deer, Zion National Park, Utah

Many mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in Zion Canyon, Zion National Park appear to be in poor condition. In this study diet composition, nutritional value of the diet, prevalences of diseases and parasites, and herd composition were examined for further evidence of poor condition. Analysis of forage plants indicated a nutritionally adequate diet. This conclusion was also supported by serum chemistry results. Serum titer levels did not reveal any current infections, however, high eosinophil levels in 84% of animals tested were likely due to parasitism. Cysticeri of two species of Taenia, adult Elaeophora schneideri, and Sarcocystis hemionilatrantis were isolated in necropsies of two deer. Recruitment rates in Zion Canyon mule deer are indicative of healthy animals, however data presented here suggest the population has a greater proportion of older animals than other herds. Succession of canyon vegetation is presented here as the probable cause of historical changes in herd size.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biological Science

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Year

1992

Author dc:creator

• Cunningham, Brenda

Statement dc:rights

• IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

https://oasis.library.unlv.edu/rtds/201

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:oasis.library.unlv.edu:rtds-1200