Diversity and Distribution of the Terrestrial Mammals of the Yukon Territory: A Review

Abstract

Slough, Brian G., and Thomas S. Jung. 2007. Diversity and distribution of the terrestrial mammals of the Yukon Territory: A review. Canadian Field-Naturalist 121(2): 119-127.The diversity and distribution of the terrestrial mammals of the Yukon has not been systematically reviewed since 1975, a time when the occurrences of many species were not well known. Since then, single species and community studies, biological collections and expert observations have increased our knowledge of the land mammals of the Yukon. Taxonomic studies have resulted in some additional species. We provide an update on the diversity and distribution of recent land mammals of the Yukon, including previously unreported range extensions, and include a revised checklist. Research in adjoining jurisdictions has contributed more hypothetical species for the Yukon. The mammalian fauna of the Yukon is in a relatively dynamic state, and human-induced changes, particularly climate warming, will undoubtedly influence mammalian diversity and distributions in the coming decades.

Distribution and community structure of chloropid flies (Diptera: Chloropidae) in Nearctic glacial and post‐glacial grasslands

“…Multiple studies have confirmed the role of Beringia as a refugium during Pleistocene glaciations (DeChaine, ; Shafer et al ., ) and efforts have been made to understand and explore diversity in the Yukon (e.g. Danks & Downes, ; Boucher & Wheeler, ; Danby, ; Slough & Mennel, ; Slough & Jung, ; Bowden & Buddle, ; Harris & Taylor, ; Danby et al ., ; Klimaszewski et al ., ).…”

Impact of rewilding, species introductions and climate change on the structure and function of the Yukon boreal forest ecosystem

“…If they have a cycle of abundance the period must be of the order of 20 years in this region, but unfortunately there are no reliable data for Kluane (see Mabille et al 2010 (Blainville, 1816)]. Grizzly bears survived the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) in coastal and Beringian refugium, and the black bear moved northward as the ice retreated at the end of the LGM (Slough & Jung 2007). The ungulate community in the region has been dynamic (Beach & Clark 2015;Jung et al 2015a), with species naturally colonizing from the south of the LGM, and species introduced or reduced by humans.…”

“…Caribou, thinhorn sheep and mountain goats have occurred in Yukon for at least the past 200 years. Moose, however, naturally colonized the Kluane area beginning in the 1930s (J. Johnson, personal communication), while mule deer have naturally colonized the Kluane area in the past 50 or so years (Slough & Jung 2007), likely in response to climate and vegetation shifts and facilitated by human reductions of large predators along corridors. Wood bison were extirpated from southwestern Yukon approximately 350 years ago, and reintroduced in 1988-1993 as part of a national recovery effort to restore them to their native range (Jung 2015(Jung , 2017.…”

Colonization of the Beaufort Coastal Plain by Beaver (<i>Castor canadensis</i>): A Response to Shrubification of the Tundra?

“…Based on accounts of mammal distribution in the region (e.g., youngman 1975; Slough and Jung 2007;macdonald and Cook 2009), distribution maps in detailed species accounts of beavers (Jenkins and Busher 1979;Baker and hill 2003), online museum records (e.g., ARCToS), and personal communication with yukon biologists and park wardens (see Acknowledgements) and local inuvialuit hunters and trappers who have had extensive experience on the Beaufort Coastal Plain in the past ≤ 40 years, beavers are not known from the Beaufort Coastal Plain in yukon. indeed, when describing the northern extent of beaver, Baker and hill (2003) commented that "they were widespread in Alaska, except along the Arctic Slope from Point hope east to the Canadian border".…”