Phantom Subspecies: The Wood Bison, <i>Bison bison</i> "<i>athabascae</i>" Rhoads 1897 Is Not a Valid Taxon, but an Ecotype

. The proposal that the “hybrid bison” of Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP) be exterminated and replaced with “wood bison” has no taxonomic,justification. The subspecies Bison bison arhubuscae Rhoads 1897 is based on inadequate descriptions and taxonomically, invalid criteria - i.e., body size and morphornetrics. Its accepted pelage features are based on studies of the same herd of Nyarling River (NR) bison from Elk Island National Park (EINP). These pelage features, assumed to be ecotypic confinement effects, which NR bison share with EINP bull elk and moose. In bison the display hair acts analogous to deer antlers, which reflect their bearers’ access to highquality food during their growth. NR bison in captivity, in the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary (MBS), and the original wood bison are “northern plains bison.” Nor are WBNP bison distinguishable from MBS bison. A “wood bison” phenotype, was also described as diagnostic for southern plains bison (B. b. bison Lmaeus 1758); the northern plains bison was named E. b. montanue Krumbiegel 1980. Consequently, E. b. arhubuscae = B. b. bison, as the latter has priority. Yet captive and introduced NR athubuscue = montanue. Some WBNP bison resemble E. priscus, supporting the view that B. bison evolved as a hybrid between,American,and Siberian large-homed bison. Hybridization in large mammals,need not be a tragedy for conservation. Key words: wood bison, plains bison, taxonomy, phenotype plasticity, ecotype, display organs, morphometry, subspecies, conservation mud. Le plan visant l’extermination du *bison hybriden du parc national Wood Buffalo (PNWB) et son remplacement par le *bison des bois, n’a aucune justification du point de vue taxonomique. La souseswe,Bison bison athabuscue Rhoads 1897 se fonde sur des descriptions inadkquates et sur des crithres qui ne sont pas valides du point de taxonomique, $I savoir la taille et la morphomttrie. Les attributs reconnus du pelage s’appuient sur des etudes du m&me troupeau de la rivibre Nyarling (RN) dans le parc national Elk Island (PNEI). Ces attributs du pelage, que I’on suppose gene- tiquement determines, dsul‘tent de la limitation des eCotypes, qui affecte le bison de la RN tout comme le caribou et l’orignal mae du PNEI. Chez le bison, la hure (pelage de parade) joue un r6le analogue & celui des andouillers chez le cerf, tous deux refletant I’accbs des animaux & une alimentation t&s nutritive durant leur croissance. Le bison de la RN en captivit6 dans la Reserve de bisons Mackenzie (RBM) et le bison des bois d’origine sont des abisons des plaines septentrionalesu. On ne peut plus faire de distinction entre le bison du PNWB et le bison de la RBM. On a aussi deCrit un phenotype de <

ReadCiteExport

Add to List

The content you want is available to Zendy users.

Already have an account? Click here to sign in.

Sign up to Zendy

Having issues? You can contact us here