42-602: Bison bison montanae The plains bison ( Bison bison bison ) is one of two subspecies / ecotypes of the American bison , the other being the wood bison ( B. b. athabascae ). A natural population of plains bison survives in Yellowstone National Park (the Yellowstone Park bison herd consisting of an estimated 4,800 bison) and multiple smaller reintroduced herds of bison in many places in
84-787: A buffalo herd near the Palo Duro Canyon . This herd peaked at 250 in 1933. Bison of this herd were introduced into the Yellowstone National Park in 1902 and into the larger zoos and ranches throughout the nation. A herd of around 80 of these animals lives in the Caprock Canyons State Park near Quitaque, Texas , located about 50 miles northeast of Plainview, Texas . Ted Turner owns America's largest secured bison herd in Cimarron, New Mexico 's Vermejo Park Ranch . Boy Scouts of America own
126-510: A host of other Indians and whites turned out to welcome the bison. At that time, bison had been extinct on the southern Great Plains for 30 years. The bison herd now numbers about 650 on the refuge. In fall, bison in excess of the carrying capacity of the refuge were auctioned off but this practice was ended in 2020 when the refuge joined in the Bison Conservation Initiative. The 2020 Bison Conservation Initiative by
168-525: A nuisance, some people were concerned about the demise of this "North American icon", so individual landowners and zoos took steps to protect them. Some people saved bison with the express purpose of ranching or hunting them (see Antelope Island bison herd ). Others, such as the American Bison Society , were also formed with the idea of saving the species and reintroducing them to natural range. Plains bison have since been reintroduced into
210-570: A number of locations in North America. Five main foundation herds of American bison supplied animals intended to save them from extinction. The northernmost introduction occurred in 1928 when the Alaska Game Commission brought bison to the area of present-day Delta Junction . Bison taken from this transplant were also introduced to other Alaskan locations, including Farewell and Chitina . The Delta Junction herd prospered
252-699: A private bison herd in Cimarron's Philmont Scout Ranch . In 2013, bison were reintroduced to Fort Belknap Indian Reservation from Yellowstone National Park. In 2019, a herd was established in Pleistocene Park in Northern Siberia. https://pleistocenepark.ru/animals/bison/ A herd of plains bison were successfully reintroduced to Banff National Park in Alberta in early 2017. The bison were kept under observation in an enclosed pasture of
294-647: A separate description is warranted. These distinct groups do not interbreed as they are isolated from another, but they can interbreed and have fertile offspring, e.g. in captivity. These subspecies, races, or populations, are usually described and named by zoologists, botanists and microbiologists. In a monotypic species, all populations exhibit the same genetic and phenotypical characteristics. Monotypic species can occur in several ways: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge , located in southwestern Oklahoma near Lawton , has protected unique wildlife habitats since 1901 and
336-483: A species is a binomial or binomen, and comprises two Latin words, the first denoting the genus and the second denoting the species. The scientific name of a subspecies is formed slightly differently in the different nomenclature codes. In zoology, under the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN), the scientific name of a subspecies is termed a trinomen , and comprises three words, namely
378-426: A species. Botanists and mycologists have the choice of ranks lower than subspecies, such as variety (varietas) or form (forma), to recognize smaller differences between populations. In biological terms, rather than in relation to nomenclature, a polytypic species has two or more genetically and phenotypically divergent subspecies, races , or more generally speaking, populations that differ from each other so that
420-417: A subspecies. A common criterion for recognizing two distinct populations as subspecies rather than full species is the ability of them to interbreed even if some male offspring may be sterile. In the wild, subspecies do not interbreed due to geographic isolation or sexual selection . The differences between subspecies are usually less distinct than the differences between species. The scientific name of
462-447: Is a popular destination for recreational activities. Rock climbing is overwhelmingly popular, but visitors also enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, bird and wildlife watching, and photography. The refuge has an extensive trail system, including about 15 miles of official trails. The area became popular for rock climbing beginning in the 1960s and 1970s, and has become something of a regional mecca. Though climbing has brought many visitors to
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#1732766073088504-414: Is a subspecies or a full species, the species name may be written in parentheses. Thus Larus (argentatus) smithsonianus means the American herring gull ; the notation within the parentheses means that some consider it a subspecies of a larger herring gull species and therefore call it Larus argentatus smithsonianus , while others consider it a full species and therefore call it Larus smithsonianus (and
546-712: Is abbreviated as subsp. or ssp. and the singular and plural forms are the same ("the subspecies is" or "the subspecies are"). In zoology , under the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature , the subspecies is the only taxonomic rank below that of species that can receive a name. In botany and mycology , under the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants , other infraspecific ranks , such as variety , may be named. In bacteriology and virology , under standard bacterial nomenclature and virus nomenclature , there are recommendations but not strict requirements for recognizing other important infraspecific ranks. A taxonomist decides whether to recognize
588-564: Is dominated by rugged granite mountains, oak forests, and mixed grass prairies, covers 5,723 acres (23.16 km ) in the western portion of the Refuge. It is not unusual to run into deer , buffalo , elk , longhorn , and prairie dogs . Day use and limited backcountry camping is allowed with a permit from the Refuge. The area is popular with rock climbers, with formations such as Echo Dome and Crab Eyes being popular destinations. Fishing for largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie, and channel catfish
630-541: Is found here, 400 miles (640 km) from the nearest natural population in West Texas . There is no admission charge. Public use areas on the refuge total 22,400 acres (9,100 ha). The remaining 37,000-acre wildlife area (15,000 ha) is protected wildlife habitat only. A visitor center and bookstore displays art and has exhibits illustrating the four major habitats found on the refuge: Rocklands, Aquatic, Mixed-Grass Prairie, and Cross Timbers . The refuge
672-477: Is home to many species of birds, and it is one of the remaining homes of the recently delisted black-capped vireo . The refuge is ecologically diverse, with prairie, ravine, and mountain plant communities. The many exposed granite boulders make exceptional habitat for a particularly photogenic, chartreuse green lichen known as " Pleopsidium flavum ." Portions of the refuge contain scrubby forest of mixed oak varieties. A disjunct population of bigtooth maple
714-411: Is popular in the thirteen artificial lakes on the refuge. Elk and deer hunting, to cull excessive numbers, is permitted in a managed hunt every fall. Hunters are chosen by lottery and a fee is charged. A narrow winding road leads to the summit of Mount Scott , elevation 2,464 feet (751m), with a view that encompasses the whole refuge. Although the mountains rise only 800 to 1000 feet above
756-607: Is the oldest managed wildlife facility in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service system. The refuge's location in the geologically unique Wichita Mountains and its areas of undisturbed mixed grass prairie make it an important conservation area. The Wichita Mountains are approximately 500 million years old. Measuring about 59,020 acres (238.8 km ), the refuge hosts a great diversity of species: 806 plant species, 240 species of birds, 36 fish, and 64 reptiles and amphibians are present. The Wichita Forest Reserve
798-785: The Custer State Park , the Wind Cave , and the Wood Buffalo National Park bison herds and subsidiary herds descended from it in Canada. Park officials transferred plains bison from Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge to Theodore Roosevelt National Park 's South Unit in 1956 and its North Unit in 1962 for population increase. In 1969, plains bison from Elk Island National Park were released into Prince Albert National Park in Saskatchewan , creating
840-592: The Department of the Interior has five central goals: wild, healthy bison herds; genetic conservation; shared stewardship; ecological restoration ; and cultural restoration. It strengthened mechanisms for delivery of bison to Native American tribes from federal herds. In 1973, the refuge aided bison conservation by donating three bison to the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge . The refuge
882-540: The Fish and Wildlife Service . It was re-designated the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge (WMWR). United States Observances and Statutes Governing Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge The WMWR is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. There are 13 small lakes within the reserve. Two segments covering about 15% of the refuge is designated as a wilderness area . According to
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#1732766073088924-728: The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge near Lawton, Oklahoma . The herd was started in 1907 with stock from the New York Zoological Park, now known as the Bronx Zoo and located in the Bronx Park . Fifteen animals were shipped to Oklahoma, where bison had already become extinct due to excessive hunting and overharvesting by non-native commercial buffalo hunters from 1874 to 1878. Some of these specimens have been released in other areas of
966-421: The shortgrass prairies of Canada since their near extinction at the turn of the 20th century. According to the national agency Parks Canada, the entire breeding population of these wild and "semiwild" bison is descended from just eight individuals that survived the period of near extinction, due to overhunting and tuberculosis infecting the herd. A herd of about 650 of these animals lives in, and can be seen at,
1008-495: The Sturgeon River bison herd. At a population around 300 animals, they form a free herd able to wander where they please. The bison are spread throughout Prince Albert National Park's southwestern corner, as well as some crown and private land in the area. In 2006, plains bison from Elk Island National Park in Alberta were released into Saskatchewan's Grasslands National Park . This marks the first time they have wandered
1050-531: The U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 240 species of birds, 50 species of mammals, 64 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 36 species of fish have been documented. Several species of large native mammals make their home at the refuge: plains bison , also known as the American bison, elk , white-tailed deer graze the prairies along with Texas longhorn cattle preserved for their cultural and historic importance. Bison, longhorns, and elk were introduced after
1092-628: The United States as well as southern portions of the Canadian Prairies . At least 25 million American bison were once spread across the United States and Canada, but by the late 1880s, the total number of bison in the United States had been reduced to fewer than 600 , most of which lived on private ranches. The last known free-roaming population of bison consisted of fewer than 30 in the area that later became Yellowstone National Park. Although farmers and ranchers considered bison to be
1134-576: The United States, such as Paynes Prairie in Florida . Only one southern plains bison herd was established in Texas . A remnant of the last of this relict herd had been saved in 1876. "Molly" Goodnight had encouraged her rancher husband, Charles Goodnight , to save some of the last bison which were taking refuge in the Texas Panhandle . By saving these few plains bison, she was able to establish
1176-546: The Yellowstone Park bison herd; yet, they are all of the same subspecies Bison bison bison . Currently, over 500,000 bison are spread over the United States and Canada, but most of these are on private ranches, and some of them have small amounts of hybridized cattle genes. Significant public bison herds that do not appear to have hybridized domestic cattle genes are the Yellowstone Park, the Henry Mountains,
1218-486: The animal's brains and then smoked, are used in clothing, moccasins, tipi covers, calendars , and artwork. Subspecies In biological classification , subspecies ( pl. : subspecies) is a rank below species , used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics ( morphology ), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species have subspecies, but for those that do there must be at least two. Subspecies
1260-453: The binomen followed by the name of the subspecies. For example, the binomen for the leopard is Panthera pardus . The trinomen Panthera pardus fusca denotes a subspecies, the Indian leopard . All components of the trinomen are written in italics. In botany , subspecies is one of many ranks below that of species, such as variety , subvariety , form , and subform. To identify the rank,
1302-489: The establishment of the refuge. Merriam's elk , the original subspecies of elk in this area, is extinct, so the elk in the refuge are Rocky Mountain elk . The ancestors of the herd were imported from Jackson Hole, Wyoming in 1911. The elk herd is the largest in Oklahoma at about 1,000 and the white tailed deer number about 450. These ungulates are no longer considered endangered. Many smaller mammal species also live in
Plains bison - Misplaced Pages Continue
1344-414: The horns, bow strings and thread from the sinew , waterproof containers from the bladder, paint brushes from the tail and bones with intact marrow, and cooking oil from tallow. Skulls can be used ceremonially as altars. Rawhide is used for parfleches , shield covers, and moccasin soles. Hides with the fur are used for blankets, wraps, and warm clothing. Tanned hides , the finest of which are tanned with
1386-520: The most, with a population of several hundred throughout the late 20th century. This herd is popular with hunters interested in hundreds of pounds of high-quality meat, but has been a problem for farming operations in the area. Though American bison generally prefer grasslands and plains habitats, they are quite adaptable and live in conditions ranging from desert, as in the case of the Henry Mountains bison herd , to forested areas, such as those of
1428-407: The park until the summer of 2018, after which they have been allowed to roam free. Observation is to be continued until 2022 according to Parks Canada . Besides using the meat, fat, and organs for food, plains tribes have traditionally created a wide variety of tools and items from bison. These include arrow points, awls , beads, berry pounders, hide scrapers, hoes, needles from bones, spoons from
1470-467: The rank of variety are taken to be names of subspecies (see International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes ). As in botany, subspecies is conventionally abbreviated as "subsp.", and is used in the scientific name: Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii . In zoological nomenclature , when a species is split into subspecies, the originally described population is retained as the "nominotypical subspecies" or "nominate subspecies", which repeats
1512-555: The refuge failed in its attempt to reintroduce the American pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, and the prairie chicken. The conservation of bison has become an ongoing, diverse effort. and the refuge was important in saving the American buffalo from extinction. In 1907 the American Bison Society transported 15 bison, six bulls and nine cows, from the Bronx Zoo . On arrival, the Comanche leader Quanah Parker and
1554-497: The refuge, including the nine-banded armadillo , bassarisk , and the black-tailed prairie dog . Other species that have been reintroduced include the river otter , burrowing owls and the prairie dog. Although these species were not listed as "endangered," USFWS policy is to assure that species that once were native to these mountains would always be found there. According to the Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture ,
1596-731: The refuge, some controversy exists over the use of fixed anchors , bolts and other permanently placed objects on the rock face. The refuge has joined with The Access Fund and the Wichita Mountains Climbers Coalition to promote responsible use of the Wichitas' resources. Rock climbing routes are found on Mt. Scott, the refuge's second highest summit, as well as areas such as the Narrows and the Charon's Garden Wilderness Area. The Charon's Garden Wilderness Area
1638-418: The same name as the species. For example, Motacilla alba alba (often abbreviated M. a. alba ) is the nominotypical subspecies of the white wagtail ( Motacilla alba ). The subspecies name that repeats the species name is referred to in botanical nomenclature as the subspecies " autonym ", and the subspecific taxon as the "autonymous subspecies". When zoologists disagree over whether a certain population
1680-563: The subspecific name must be preceded by "subspecies" (which can be abbreviated to "subsp." or "ssp."), as in Schoenoplectus californicus subsp. tatora . In bacteriology , the only rank below species that is regulated explicitly by the code of nomenclature is subspecies , but infrasubspecific taxa are extremely important in bacteriology; Appendix 10 of the code lays out some recommendations that are intended to encourage uniformity in describing such taxa. Names published before 1992 in
1722-425: The user of the notation is not taking a position). A subspecies is a taxonomic rank below species – the only such rank recognized in the zoological code, and one of three main ranks below species in the botanical code. When geographically separate populations of a species exhibit recognizable phenotypic differences, biologists may identify these as separate subspecies; a subspecies is a recognized local variant of
Plains bison - Misplaced Pages Continue
1764-668: Was established by the United States General Land Office in Oklahoma on July 4, 1901, with 57,120 acres (231.2 km ). After the transfer of federal forests to the U.S. Forest Service in 1905, it became a National Forest on March 4, 1907, as Wichita National Forest. On June 4, 1936, the Wichita Forest designation was abolished and transferred to the Bureau of Biological Survey, a precursor to
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