Degree Name
MS (Master of Science)
Program
Geosciences
Date of Award
5-2019
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Blaine W. Schubert
Committee Members
Joshua X. Samuels, Chris Widga
Abstract
North American black bears and brown bears can be difficult to distinguish in the fossil record due to similar dental and skeletal morphologies. Challenges identifying ursid material from Oregon Caves National Monument (ORCA) called for an accurate tool to distinguish the species. This study utilized a large database of lower tooth lengths and ratios in an attempt to differentiate black and brown bears in North America. Further, this project examined how these linear measurements differ geographically. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) found significant differences between black and brown bears from across North America for every variable studied. Stepwise discriminant analyses (DA) found lengths separated species better than ratios. When sexes were analyzed, ANOVA only found significant differences for lengths while DA found lengths and ratios could not accurately distinguish between sexes. Fossil specimens from North America, including ORCA specimens, demonstrated the utility of this study, supporting several identifications and questioning others.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Bogner, Emily, "Differentiating Black Bears (Ursus americanus) and Brown Bears (U. arctos) using Linear Tooth Measurements and Identification of Ursids from Oregon Caves National Monument" (2019). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3572. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3572
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.
Included in
Evolution Commons, Integrative Biology Commons, Other Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons, Population Biology Commons