Persistence of Mountain Sheep in Arizona

Authors

P. R. Krausman
Rich Carl Etchberger, Utah State UniversityFollow
R. M. Lee

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

The Southwestern Naturalist

Volume

41

Publication Date

1996

First Page

399

Last Page

402

Abstract

We used data for mountain sheep (Ovis canadensis) in Arizona to examine the theory that populations with <50 individuals will become extinct. We found no significant difference in extinction rate between populations with <50 individuals (n= 12; four extinctions) and populations with>50 individuals (n = 8; two extinctions). We question three assumptions of the theory: 1) that different races of mountain sheep respond in a similar manner regardless of habitats, 2) the criteria used to define a population, and 3) the accuracy of population estimates.

Recommended Citation

KRAUSMAN, P. R., R. C. ETCHBERGER, and R. M. LEE. 1996. Persistence of mountain sheep in Arizona. Southwest. Nat. 41:399-402.