Factors affecting the distribution of dorcas gazelle

The dorcas gazelle Gazella dorcas was very common and widespread in Tunisia. Nowadays, only some small isolated populations still survive in the desert areas of the southern part of the country. Factors affecting the distribution of this species in Tunisia have never been investigated despite the importance of such investigations for elaborating long-term conservation plans for the remaining wild populations. Using data on gazelle occurrence and on a set of habitat and human variables collected in south-eastern Tunisia, we aimed to identify the factors affecting gazelle distribution in this area. In particular, we investigated the relevance of habitat versus human factors for gazelle occurrence probability. As predicted, we found that human variables were the most relevant factors shaping the distribution patterns of gazelles in the studied area. Gazelles tended to avoid areas where agricultural development has occurred but did not seem to be disturbed by livestock. Overall, our results suggest that the occurrence probability of dorcas gazelle in southern Tunisia was mainly dependent on human presence and land use, rather than habitat characteristics. The recent intensification of agriculture in the more remote areas of southern Tunisia may thus constitute a serious threat to the conservation of this endangered species.     

Population status and habitat preference of Soemmerring’s gazelle in Alledeghi Wildlife Reserve,Eastern Ethiopia

This study was undertaken to determine the current population size, structure and habitat preference of Soemmerring's gazelle [Nanger soemmerringii (Cretzschmar 1828)] in the Alledeghi Wildlife Reserve, NE Ethiopia. Animals were counted, both during dry and wet seasons, along 12 line transects each in three habitat types (grassland, tree‐scattered grassland and bushland) in 2015/16. Habitat type had nonsignificant effect on mean population density of Soemmerring's gazelle, but wet season mean density was significantly higher than dry season mean density. Estimated weighted mean (±95% CI) population density of the species in the reserve was 1.90 (±0.17) and 5.99 (±0.370) individuals/km² during the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Total population size of the species in the Alledeghi Wildlife Reserve was estimated at 826 ± 77 and 2,562 ± 158 individuals during the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Over half of the total population of Soemmerring's gazelle was represented by adult females during both seasons. Seasonal habitat preference of Soemmerring's gazelle was statistically significant, with greater preference for grassland habitat during wet season and for bushland habitat during dry season. In conclusion, this study has provided valuable data that will be used as a baseline for future population monitoring.     

Reproductive strategies in female Mountain and Dorcas gazelles (Gazella gazella gazella and Gazella dorcas)

Observations of reproduction in four gazelle populations in the semi–arid and arid habitats of Israel during three years have revealed intra– and interspecific differences. In the eastern Lower Galilee of northern Israel, female Mountain gazelles (Gazella gazella gazella) reproduce during every month of the year, conceive first at six months of age and exercise long parental care. Females of a population 80 km to the north (Upper Galilee) maintain a seasonal reproductive pattern, conceive first at 18 months of age and have a short parental care period. The latter pattern is similar to the Dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas) females of the southern Negev Desert. Interspecific similarities in reproduction of these two populations is attributed to the lack of free water during lactation in both environments where females rely on water available in plant tissue only. The importance of the daily accessibility to water during lactation in female gazelles is discussed. It is suggested that the timing of births and the ability of female gazelles to conceive while lactating are not species-specific characteristics but simply a matter of short-term adaptation to changing environmental conditions common understanding today that animal reproductive strategies are a function of prevailing environmental conditions.     

Patterns and diversity in locomotor activity in spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata)

In a population, the individuals exhibit temporal spacing of their behaviours to avoid conflict with the environment and conspecific. In the present study, we have analysed the diversity in activity patterns in spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata) under laboratory conditions. Birds (n = 101) kept under 12L:12D and constant temperature conditions during summer and winter solstices of the year were monitored for their locomotor activity. All birds showed diurnal activity and exhibited different patterns such as unimodal (U), bimodal (B), trimodal (T) and amodal (A). Of these, U and B showed their subtypes (unimodal morning, UM; unimodal evening, UE; bimodal morning, BM; bimodal morning-evening, BME; bimodal evening, BE) also. The offset but not the onset of activity differed significantly among different types. These activity patterns appeared to be season independent. The results suggest that the diverse activity patterns in munia could be the result of “environmental imprinting” which may have ecological significance.     

Genetic diversity and relations of the Goitered gazelle (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gazella subgutturosa</Emphasis>) groups from Uzbekistan,Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan: Analysis of the D-loop of mitochondrial DNA

Polymorphism of the nucleotide sequence of a hypervariable fragment of the D-loop (985 bp) of mtDNA in 76 Goitered gazelles of subspecies Gazella subgutturosa subgutturosa from Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan was studied. The genetic similarity of gazelles from Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan has been identified. The population of gazelles from Shirvanskaya steppe reserve (Azerbaijan) is unique and strictly isolated from other groups studied. A high haplotypic (H = 0.9649 ± 0.0091) and relatively low nucleotide diversity (π = 0.0212 ± 0.0105) were noted for all investigated groups of gazelle based on this mtDNA fragment, which is probably related to ecological peculiarities of the species and the history of formation of regional populations.     

Food preferences and tooth wear in the sand gazelle (Gazella marica)

Food preferences of the sand gazelle (Gazella marica) from the Mahazat as-Sayd Protected Area in Saudi Arabia were evaluated using focal animal sampling in conjunction with an eco-morphological method examining two parameters of tooth wear, i.e., occlusal relief and cusp shape. Observations of live, free-ranging animals (n = 53) showed that sand gazelles generally consumed more grass (58.4%) than browse (41.6%). However, during the dry season, gazelles spent significantly more time browsing (51.0%) and less time grazing (49.0%) than under wet conditions (browsing: 17.6%; grazing: 82.4%). Thus, consistent with predictions, sand gazelles are intermediate feeders but shift towards browsing when grass is scarce. The mesowear signature of the sand gazelle is consistent with a grazing signal in other ruminants. In other words, the browse component of the diets of live animals was not reflected in the tooth wear. This could have occurred because browse is less abrasive than grass, but more likely because all food types are heavily abrasive in this dusty habitat. We conclude that the sand gazelle population in Mahazat as-Sayd encounters a highly abrasive diet, which has implications for their ability to meet nutritional demands.     

Post-mortem semen cryopreservation and characterization in two different endangered gazelle species (Gazella gazella and Gazella dorcas) and one subspecies (Gazella gazelle acaiae)

Both Gazella gazella and Gazella dorcas are endangered species with continually dwindling population size, yet basic knowledge on their spermatozoa is missing. Semen collected post-mortem (PM) from the cauda epididymis of five adult gazelles (three Gazella gazella gazella, one Gazella gazella acaiae and one G. dorcas) was cryopreserved using directional freezing of large volumes (8 mL) with egg-yolk-free extender. Sperm size measurements and SYBR-14/propodium iodide (PI) viability stain validation for use in gazelles were conducted. Post-thaw characterization included motility, viability, acrosome damage evaluation, computerized motility characterization and morphology and sperm motility index (SMI) was calculated. Extracted sperm motility was 71.67+/-11.67% (mean+/-S.E.M.). Post-thaw motility ranged between 15% and 63%, viability was 57.49+/-3.24%, intact acrosome was detected in 63.74+/-2.6% (median 64.8%, upper/lower quartiles 71.79%, 61.82%), and normal morphology ranged between 41% and 63%. Motility characterization showed two sub-groups-highly active and progressively motile spermatozoa with SMI of 62.75+/-0.38 and low activity and poorly progressive with SMI of 46.16+/-1.53. Our results indicate that PM preservation of gazelle spermatozoa with satisfactory post-thaw viability is possible and cryobanking is achievable.     

Case studies in antelope aggression control using a GnRH agonist

Maintaining surplus captive male antelope in bachelor groups can result in aggression in some species, leading to injury or death. Suppressing endogenous testosterone using gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs has been used in primates to control aggressive behavior, but little information is available on the use of GnRH analogs in nondomestic ruminant species. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a slow‐release GnRH agonist (deslorelin) on circulating hormone concentrations, semen and sperm characteristics and behavior in male gerenuk, dorcas gazelle, and scimitar horned oryx. Body weight, testicular volume, circulating hormone concentrations, ejaculate traits, and behavior were recorded before and during deslorelin treatment. A GnRH challenge (with serial blood sampling) was administered to gerenuk and dorcas gazelles before and during GnRH analog treatment. Quantitative behavioral data were collected for gerenuk and dorcas gazelles for 30 min three times a week, starting 1 month before deslorelin treatment, and the mean incidence of combined aggressive behaviors (supplanting, foreleg kicking, sparring, marking, and mounting) was compared before and during deslorelin treatment. No statistical difference (P>0.05) in body weight, semen volume, sperm concentration, percent sperm motility, percent sperm plasma membrane integrity, or percent normal sperm morphology was found before or during deslorelin treatment. The characteristic rise in luteinizing hormone (LH), occurring ～10 min following administration of a GnRH challenge in untreated males, was not evident during deslorelin treatment, although tonic LH concentrations were maintained. No differences (P>0.05) in the mean incidence of any aggressive behavioral traits in gerenuk or dorcas gazelle were detected before and during deslorelin. The absence of a GnRH‐induced increase in serum LH in treated males indicated that deslorelin suppressed pituitary responsiveness to endogenous GnRH, but that the continued tonic production of LH was sufficient to maintain testosterone production, aggressive behavior, and subsequent semen production. Zoo Biol 21:435–448, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Daily activity of captive giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) at the wolong reserve

Daytime activity patterns of captive giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) (n = 21) were observed for 2 week periods during October 1991 and January, April, and July 1992. A daytime bimodal activity pattern was seen with increased activity coinciding with feeding times at 1000 and 1600 h. The animals spent an average of 40 ± 10% of their time sleeping, 21 ± 10% resting, 25 ± 11% eating, 13 ± 9% walking, and 1 ± 3% interacting with other giant pandas. Adult females were less active than males or juveniles. During July, giant pandas were less active during the daytime than during other seasons of the year. There was no difference in activity patterns between pregnant and non-pregnant females. Two infants had similar activity patterns to the adults by the time they were 6 months old. Comparison with wild giant pandas (n = 5) at the Wolong Nature Reserve revealed similar bimodal activity cycles, although the time of peak activity differed and foraging/feeding time was greater for wild pandas than for captive animals. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

道路对三江源国家公园黄河源园区藏野驴和藏原羚种群数量及其栖息地的影响

为探究道路对三江源国家公园黄河源园区藏野驴(Equus kiang)和藏原羚(Procapra picticaudata)种群数量及其栖息地的影响,于2020年冷季采用截线取样法在黄河源园区进行实地调查.通过设置4种不同等级的道路情景,使用MaxEnt模型评价藏野驴和藏原羚的生境适宜性,模拟了不同等级道路变量情景下两种...     

喀斯特生境中猕猴的活动节律和时间分配

2006年9月至2007年8月,在广西弄岗国家级自然保护区选择一群猕猴(Macaca mulatta)作为观察对象,采用瞬时扫描取样法收集相关的行为数据,以日活动节律和活动时间分配为切人点,探讨猕猴对喀斯特石山生境的行为适应策略.结果表明,猕猴的日活动节律表现为上午和下午的觅食高峰,中午进入长时间的休息期.这可能与白天...     

Wild Gazelles of the Southern Levant: Genetic Profiling Defines New Conservation Priorities

The mountain gazelle (Gazella gazelle), Dorcas gazelle (Gazella Dorcas) and acacia gazelle (Gazella arabica acacia) were historically abundant in the southern Levant, and more specifically in Israel. Anthropogenic and natural changes have caused a rapid decline in gazelle populations, raising concerns about their conservation status and future survival. The genetic profile of 111 wild gazelles from Israel was determined based on three regions of mitochondrial DNA (control region, Cytochrome b and 12S ribosomal RNA) and nine nuclear microsatellite markers. Genetic analysis of the mountain gazelle population, the largest known population of this rare species, revealed adequate diversity levels and gene flow between subpopulations. Nevertheless, ongoing habitat degradation and other human effects, such as poaching, suggest the need for drastic measures to prevent species extinction. Dorcas gazelles in Israel displayed inbreeding within subpopulations while still maintaining considerable genetic diversity overall. This stable population, represented by a distinctive genetic profile, is fragmented and isolated from its relatives in neighboring localities. Based on the genetic profile of a newly sampled subpopulation in Israel, we provide an alternative hypothesis for the historic dispersal of Dorcas gazelle, from the Southern Levant to northern Africa. The small acacia gazelle population was closest to gazelles from the Farasan Islands of Saudi Arabia, based on mitochondrial markers. The two populations did not share haplotypes, suggesting that these two populations may be the last remnant wild gazelles of this species worldwide. Only a dozen acacia gazelles survive in Israel, and urgent steps are needed to ensure the survival of this genetically distinctive lineage. The genetic assessments of our study recognize new conservation priorities for each gazelle species in the Southern Levant.     

青海湖地区普氏原羚的种群结构

普氏原羚是中国的特有动物。 1986年在青海湖地区仅发现 35 0只普氏原羚 ,分布于鸟岛、湖东 克图和元者 3个种群之中。 1996～ 1998年 7月至 8月 ,我们沿设定的 10条样线对青海湖地区的普氏原羚进行了考察。调查样线总长度为 37 5 5km。观察记录距样线两侧 10 0m以内普氏原羚足迹链和狼足迹链、粪堆和尿迹。同时记录观察样线两侧 6 0 0m以内的普氏原羚个体 ,记录群体大小、性别和年龄 ,然后 ,计算单位样带面积上普氏原羚和狼的密度。 1997年湖东 克图种群雄羚占 2 9%、雌羚占 5 0 %和幼羚占 2 1% ;元者种群雄羚占 2 9%、雌羚占 43%和幼羚占 2 7%。狼捕食是 1997年湖东 克图种群数量下降的主要原因。在湖东 克图沙漠中 ,1996年普氏原羚群体大小为 9 0± 6 9只 (平均数±方差 ) ,密度为 3 19± 3 5 9只 /km2 ,而 1997年为 4 2± 3 9只 /km2 ,密度为 1 14± 1 0 9只 /km2 。 1997年冬季猎狼后 ,湖东 克图种群数量回升到 2 14± 3 13只 /km2 ,幼羚占群体的2 7%。     

Seasonal Variation in the Activity Patterns and Time Budgets of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trachypithecus francoisi</Emphasis> in the Nonggang Nature Reserve,China

Activity patterns and time budgets are 2 important aspects of animal behavior that researchers use to investigate ecological influences on individual behavior. We collected data on activity patterns and time budgets in 1 group of François’ langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi) from August 2003 to July 2004 in the Nonggang Nature Reserve, Guangxi Province, China, via instantaneous scan sampling method with 15-min intervals. The diurnal activity pattern of François’ langurs showed morning and afternoon feeding peaks, with a midday resting peak. Seasonal change was apparent in the activity pattern: 2 significant feeding peaks occurred in the dry season and only 1 significant feeding peak in the rainy season. The group spent an average of 51.5% of the daytime resting. Feeding and moving accounted on average for 23.1% and 17.3% of the activity budget, respectively. Subjects spent little time on social activities, averaging 2% for grooming and 5.5% for playing. Their time budgets showed significant seasonal variation: they spent a greater proportion of time on feeding and less time on resting and grooming in the dry season than in the rainy season. They also differed among different sex-age classes: immatures spent more time playing, whereas adults devoted more time to resting, feeding, and grooming. Correlations between time budgets and food items or food availability clearly indicated that François’ langurs might adopt an energy-maximizing strategy when preferred foods were scarce in the dry season.     

四川省石渠县藏原羚秋季取食行为特征

20 0 3年 8～ 10月 ,用固定观察和扫描取样法对四川石渠县藏原羚 (Procaprapicticaudata)的取食行为进行了研究。设置 4 0个 2 0m× 2 0m的样地 ,测量藏原羚的 13个取食生境因子。利用单个样本的Kolmogorov Smirnovtest检验 ,呈正态分布的用参数检验 ,否则用非参数检验。结果显示 :(1)藏原羚主要以集群的形式取食 ,集群大小为 6 8头 (n =4 9) ,最大群为 34头 ;雄性群具有小集群的倾向 (即除存在独雄外 ,2～ 3头一群的群体数占 33 33% ,n =9) ,母子群也以小集群为主 ,两母子为一群的集群占 5 3% (n =15 ) ,但是没有发现<4头的雌性群。 (2 )藏原羚的取食时间以晨昏为主 ,取食高峰在早晨 (8:0 0～ 9:0 0 )和傍晚 (17:0 0～ 18:0 0 ) ,两者各占该时间段全部活动的 5 4 %以上。 (3)藏原羚更喜欢选择蒿草属、火绒草属和棘豆属中数种营养高的植物为食 ,比例高达 80 %以上。 (4) 13个生境因子的聚类和主成分分析表明 :前 4个主成分累积贡献率达到 71% ,能够反映藏原羚主要的取食生境特征 ;影响藏原羚取食生境选择的主要因子分为植物营养度 (特定的植被类型和中等的植被高度 )、干扰度 (隐蔽条件好、人为和动物干扰小 )、水源 (离水源较近和避风性良好 )3个方面。     

Diurnal activity budget of African buffalo (Syncerus caffer Sparrman, 1779) in Chebera Churchura National Park,Ethiopia

One of the fundamental questions in animal ecology concerns the activity pattern of animals and the environmental and intrinsic factors that influence such dynamics. This study tested the hypotheses that activity time budgets of the African buffalo appeared to vary by season and times of day and predicted that buffalo would express unequal proportion of time for different activity patterns during the wet and dry seasons in Chebera Churchura National Park (CCNP). An investigation on the diurnal activity budget of the African buffalo was carried out during the wet and dry seasons of 2012–2014 in the Chebera Churchura National Park, Ethiopia, using focal‐animal sampling method. Buffalo spent a greater proportion of the time in feeding and resting/ruminating activities in both the wet and dry seasons. Feeding and resting (lying down and standing) were the predominant activities (87.14% of the diurnal active period), 48.95% time spent feeding during the dry season and 44.91% during the wet season. There was a significant decrease in feeding and an increase in resting from dry seasons to wet seasons. Daytime grazing and resting periods during the wet season were estimated to be 5.39 h and 4.98 h, respectively. Morning and the late afternoon activity peaks were more pronounced during the dry season than the wet season. Therefore, feeding and resting time was influenced by the time of day and the seasons. But there were no significant difference in time allocation for other activities in both the wet and dry seasons. The study has implications for understanding animal activity budget across species, particularly relationships between temperature and season.     

黄羊（Procapra gutturosa）在中国分布的变迁及其资源持续利用

历史上黄羊曾广布于中国的北部,目前黄羊只分布在我国内蒙古北部的中蒙边境一带。环境的变迁、人类活动的干扰及盲目捕猎是黄羊分布区缩小的重要原因。建议尽快建立黄羊自然保护区,使黄羊在我国有一安歇、繁衍的良好栖息地,最终使黄羊资源得到科学合理的利用。     

Relationships between the thermal environment and activity of Piute ground squirrels (Spermophilus mollis)

(1) We examined relationships between ground squirrel activity and operative temperature (T_e) in two habitats in southwestern Idaho, USA to determine how activity patterns are tied to environmental conditions and how habitat can mediate the thermal environment. (2) Midday environmental conditions were too hot throughout much of the active season for Piute ground squirrels to remain active in a grassland habitat. (3) Ground squirrels were most active in grassland at a T_e of approximately 25°C and showed a strong bimodal activity pattern during the latter half of their active season (after 15 April). (4) Suitable aboveground microclimates existed throughout most of the season in sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) habitats and ground squirrels remained active throughout the day. (5) The availability of cooler microhabitats may make sagebrush a better habitat than grassland for Piute ground squirrels, especially during the latter portion of the active season and in hotter than normal years.     

普氏原羚的活动规律与生境选择

普氏原羚生活在沙漠与干旱草原生态交错区(Ecotone)。青海湖畔沙漠中植被盖度较高, 沙地沙蒿群落中普氏原羚活动较多, 而沙地柏群落中普氏原羚活动较少。普氏原羚在沙地和距离沙地2～3 km以内的地域内活动, 利用起伏沙丘作为隐蔽生境。草原中的芨芨草群落、冷蒿—紫花针茅群落是普氏原羚的主要取食场所。普氏原羚具晨昏型活动规律, 在傍晚和清晨取食, 其活动避开牛羊的取食时间。普氏原羚常常聚群活动, 它们在繁殖期、育幼期和交配期形成大小不同的群体。群体的类型包括同性群、混合群和单一个体群。非繁殖季节普氏原羚雌雄分群活动。目前在人为活动影响下, 普氏原羚很难进行季节性迁移。     

Dietary Overlap of Przewalski's Gazelle,Tibetan Gazelle,and Tibetan Sheep on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Abstract: We studied food composition and overlap among sympatric Przewalski's gazelle (Procapra przewalskii), Tibetan gazelle (P. picticaudata), and Tibetan domestic sheep (Ovis aries) in the Upper Buha River, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, using microscopic fecal analysis. The 2 gazelles forage mainly on plants from Leguminosae and Compositae families and domestic sheep feed mainly on Gramineae and Cyperaceae. The dietary overlap index between the 2 gazelles and Tibetan domestic sheep increased from 0.43 to 0.58 during the plant-growing period to 0.76–0.77 during the plant-withering period, which indicated competition for foods intensified during the food-limited season. Although the 2 gazelle ate similar diets, they might avoid food competition by occupying different foraging areas. We suggest reducing numbers of overwintering Tibetan domestic sheep on pastures to lessen survival pressure on the endangered gazelles during winters.