| dc.description.abstract | This report evaluates biological material from reindeer harvested in Svalbard and discusses
application areas for research and management. A collection of lower jaws located at the
University of Oslo (UiO) covers most of the period 1984–2009. Some material is, however,
currently missing from the collection. The available samples have been analysed for jaw length
and age (based on tooth set and counts of cementum annuli) by the Norwegian Institute for
Nature Research (NINA). A subset of the material has also been analysed previously (by different
personnel) for molar height and dressed weight. The hunting material has broad applicability for
research and management and represents an important resource for studying jaw lengths (i.e.
body growth) in relation to climate, population density, hunting area, and sex and age structure of
the harvested population. Based on preliminary analyses, there is clear variation between
subpopulations and also clear climate signals in body growth. Though limited by a smaller
sample size, similar information can be obtained from molar heights (e.g. tooth wear variation
with sex, age, and climate) and dressed weights. Furthermore, the hunting statistics reflect
spatiotemporal variation in sex-age distribution (of harvested animals) that could be of great
interest for the management of this species on Svalbard. A standardised procedure for collection
and handling of the material, including continuous sample analysis, is highly recommended. | no_NO |
