Chapter 58, Problem 1Q

Summary Introduction

To review:

The major causes of mortality of pumas in the two-given populations.

Given:

The data shows the reasons for the mortality in a species of puma (Puma concolor) in two regions of South California (Table 1).

Table 1: The mortality in a species of puma (Puma concolor)

Mortality percentage (number of individuals)
Reason of mortality	Santa Ana mountains	Peninsular range	Total
Vehicle collision	46 (6)	19 (4)	28 (10)
Killed for public safety	0 (0)	4 (1)	3 (1)
Illegal hunting (poaching)	23 (3)	4 (1)	11 (4)
Legal hunting	0 (0)	26 (6)	17 (6)
Suspected disease	8 (1)	13 (3)	11 (4)
Confirmed disease	8 (1)	9 (2)	5 (2)
Fire	8 (1)	4 (1)	5 (2)
Intraspecies killing	0 (0)	4 (1)	3 (1)
Capture related	0 (0)	4 (1)	3 (1)
Unknown causes	15 (2)	13 (3)	14 (5)
Total	13	23	36

Introduction:

A study was conducted to determine the population of Puma in South California. It is a threatened species, which faces danger from habitat destruction and fragmentation and from human conflicts. These factors have led to the isolation of this species and decline in their number, which has ultimately contracted their gene pool. Two populations of this species are separated by highways into two regions mentioned above. The cat species was radio-collared to observe their movement from 2001 to 2013.

Explanation of Solution

There are several causes of death of pumas in the two-given population. The main reason of death in Santa Ana mountains population is due to a vehicle collision. According to the data, 46% population died because of a vehicle collision. Another major reason is illegal hunting. 23% population death was recorded because of illegal hunting. This region is better developed than the peninsular range and has a high rate of human activity. A high traffic on the highway, which these animals use to cross over to other regions leads to accidents. The species must be poached for their skin and other body parts.

The main reason of death among pumas in peninsular range population was legal hunting. It accounted for 26% death of pumas. The other reasons for death were vehicle collision, which caused 19% death and some suspected disease, which caused 13% of death. This region has a vast agricultural patch, which serves as a corridor for the wild beast. Thus, their hunting must be legalized in order to prevent the destruction of the crops. A poorly developed region harbors a number of pathogens, which may have affected the animals in this region.

Conclusion

Thus, from the given data it can be concluded that the main reason of death of pumas in the given two populations was mainly due to vehicle collision on the highway and hunting.