ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA >

2021 , Vol. 41 >Issue 3: 321 - 329

DOI: https://doi.org/10.16829/j.slxb.150471

ORIGINAL PAPERS

Group composition and seasonal changes of Bharal(Pseudois nayaur) in Wanglang National Nature Reserve,China

  • LIU Mingxing ,
  • CHEN Xing ,
  • HOU Xingyu ,
  • LI Yunxi ,
  • JIANG Wenlong ,
  • YANG Kong ,
  • LI Sheng ,
  • GUAN Tianpei
Expand
  • 1 Institute of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610225, China;
    2 Ecological Security and Protection Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Mianyang Teachers' College, Mianyang 621000, China;
    3 Wanglang National Nature Reserve, Pingwu 622550, China;
    4 School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China

Received date: 2020-09-03

  Online published: 2021-05-27

Fold

Abstract

The Bharal(Pseudois nayaur) is a common herbivore across the Tibetan Plateau, but little is known about the population at the eastern edge of its distribution. From June 2018 to August 2019, we studied the composition and seasonal changes of bharal groups in Wanglang National Nature Reserve using passive infrared camera traps. We recorded a total of 6 623 individuals belonging to 1 921 groups, with a mean group size of 3.45±2.16. The largest group comprised 23 individuals, and the smallest groups were formed by solitary individuals(both female and male). We classified six group types based on sex and age:mixed age/sex groups, ewe-lamb groups, adult male groups, adult female groups, solitary adult males, and solitary adult females. Small herd sizes(2-5 individuals) are typical of the bharal population of Wanglang National Nature Reserve, and no significant differences in group size existed among seasons. We analyzed group composition and seasonal changes of bharal and found that mixed groups were the most frequently observed, comprising 45.3% of all observations, followed by ewe-lambs, adult male groups, adult solitary males, adult solitary females, and adult female groups. The proportion of each group type varied seasonally. In spring, the highest proportion of observations were of adult male groups(29.5%) and adult solitary males(22.6%), whereas in summer, autumn, and winter mixed(58.5%, 41.8%, and 36.7%, respectively) and ewe-lamb(21.4%, 24.7%, and 18.6%, respectively) groups predominated. Observations of the individual bharal group types varied between seasons, for example, mixed groups were most frequently observed during summer, but ewe-lamb groups showed no significant change among seasons. Changes in the local environmental conditions, as well as physiological phases and their associated resource requirements are likely the mechanisms driving these temporal changes in group types and sizes.

Key words： Group type; Group size; Ungulate; Distribution range; Camera-trapping

Cite this article

LIU Mingxing , CHEN Xing , HOU Xingyu , LI Yunxi , JIANG Wenlong , YANG Kong , LI Sheng , GUAN Tianpei . Group composition and seasonal changes of Bharal(Pseudois nayaur) in Wanglang National Nature Reserve,China[J]. ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA, 2021 , 41(3) : 321 -329 . DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.150471

References

Benjamini Y,Yekutieli D.2001.The control of the false discovery rate in multiple testing under dependency.The Annals of Statistics,29(4):1165-1188.
Bergman C,Fryxell J,Gates C,Fortin D.2008.Ungulate foraging strategies:Energy maximizing or time minimizing?Journal of Animal Ecology,70(2):289-300.
Bond M,Lee D,Ozgul A,K nig B.2019.Fission-fusion dynamics of a megaherbivore are driven by ecological,anthropogenic,temporal,and social factors.Oecologia,191(9):335-347.
Cao L R,Liu Z S,Wang X M,Hu T H,Zhai H,Hou J H.2005.Winter group size and composition of blue sheep(Pseudois nayaur) in the Helan Mountains,China.Acta Theriologica Sinica,25(2):200-204.
Chen W L,Chen L M,Ma W H,Li Y,Ge B M.2013.Group type and distribution of Budorcas taxicolor tibetana in rutting season.Sichuan Journal of Zoology,32(6):841-845.(in Chinese).
Chen X,Zhao L J,Hu X X,Luo C P,Liang C P,Jiang S W,Liang L,Zheng W C,Guan T P.2019.Impact of livestock terrain utilization patterns on wildlife:a case study of Wanglang National Nature Reserve.Biodiversity Science,27(6):630-637.(in Chinese).
Chen X,Zhao L J,Hu X X,Liu M X,Luo C P,Jiang S W,Gu X D,Guan T P.2020.The seasonal activity patterns of bharal (Pseudois nayaur) in forest-meadow mosaic habitat.Chinese Journal of Zoology,55(6):692-701.
Goldenberg S,Wittemyer G.2019.Elephant behavior toward the dead:A review and insights from field observations.Primates,61(1):119-128.
Guan T P,Ge B M,Mcshea W J,Li S,Song Y L,Stewart C M.2013.Seasonal migration by a large forest ungulate:A study on takin(Budorcas taxicolor) in Sichuan Province,China.European Journal of Wildlife Research,59(1):81-91.
Hu J C.2007.Mammalogy.Beijing:Chinese Education Press.(in Chinese).
Hu L.2013.Activity rhythms of red deer and roe deer and group pattern of red deer by camera trapping.Master thesis.Beijing:Beijing Forestry University.(in Chinese).
Hu X X,Zheng W C,Li J Q,Li S,Yang H,Chen X,Guan T P.2018.Preliminary survey on mammal and bird diversity at Siguniang Mountains National Nature Reserve,Sichuan,China.Biodiversity Science,26(12):1325-1331.(in Chinese).
Huang P L,Xiao W H,Yang H T,Zhou B,Zhao X D,Wu H Y,Feng L M,Wang T M.2015.Activity patterns and group behaviors of slka deer(Cervus nippon mantchuricus).Journal of Beijing Normal University(Natural Science),5(12):498-503.(in Chinese).
Jarman P J.1974.The social organisation of antelope in relation to their ecology.Behaviour,48(3/4):215-267.
Khattak R H,Ali H,Rehman E,Nawaz M.2019.Population structure of blue sheep(Pseudios nayaur) in Shimshal Valley Gilgit-Baltistan Pakistan.Pakistan Journal of Zoology,52(2):699-707.
Korte L M.2008.Variation of group size among African buffalo herds in a forest-savanna mosaic landscape.Journal of Zoology,275(3):229-236.
Kosovich J J,Hulleman C S,Barron K E,Getty S.2014.A practical measure of student motivation:establishing validity evidence for the expectancy-value-cost scale in Middle School.The Journal of Early Adolescence,35(5-6):790-816.
Li S,Mcshea W J,Wang D,Gu X,Zhang X,Zhang L,Shen X.2020.Retreat of large carnivores across the giant panda distribution range.Nature Ecology & Evolution,4(10):1-5.
Li S,Wang D J,Xiao Z S,Li X H,Wang T M,Feng L M,Wang Y.2014.Camera-trapping in wildlife research and conservation in China:review andoutlook.Biodiversity Science,22(1):685-695.(in Chinese).
Li X Q.2006.The group characteristices of blue sheep(Pseudois nayaur) in Helan Mountain.Master thesis.Shanghai:East China Normal University.(in Chinese).
Li X Q,Liu Z S,Wang X M,Cui D Y,Li Z G,Hu T H.2007.Group characteristics of blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) during rutting season in the Helan Mountains,China.Acta Theriologica Sinica,27 (1):39-44.(in Chinese).
Lian X M,Su J P,Zhang T Z,Cao Y F.2005.The characteristics of social groups of the Tibetan antelope(Pantholops hodgsonii) in the Kekexili region.Acta Theriologica Sinica,25(6):1341-1346.(in Chinese).
Liu G K,Zhou Q C,Yang Z S,Long S,Pan L,Zeng G W,Li K J, Tang L.2010.Comparative study on group characteristics of dwarf blue sheep (Pseudois schaeferi) in spring and winter.Acta Ecologica Sinica,30(9):2484-2490.(in Chinese).
Liu P.2019.Comparing the activity pattern and group patterns of red deer(Cervus elaphus alashanicus) and blue sheep (Pseudios nayaur) using camera-traps in Helan Mountains.Master thesis.Harbin:Northeast Forestry University.(in Chinese).
Liu Z S,Li X Q,Wang X M,Li Z G,Hu T H,Zhai H.2009a.Seasonal variations in group types and sizes of blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) in the Helan Mountains,China.Acta Ecologica Sinica,29(6):2782-2788.(in Chinese).
Liu Z S,Hu T H,Wang L J.2009b.Helan Mountain Vertebrate.Yinchuan:Ningxia People's Publishing House.(in Chinese).
Long S,Zhou C Q,Wang W K,Pan L,Hu J C.2009.Diurnal behavioral rhythm,time budgets and group behavior of dwarf blue sheep in summer.Zoological Research,30(6):687-693.(in Chinese).
Main M.2008.Reconciling competing ecological explanations for sexual segregation in ungulates.Ecology,89(3):693-704.
Oli M K,Rogers M E.1996.Seasonal pattern in group size and population composition of blue sheep in Manang,Nepal.Journal of Wildlife Management,60(4):797-801.
Roberts G.1996.Why individual vigilance declines as group size increases.Animal Behaviour,51(5):1077-1086.
Sah P,Leu S T,Cross P C,Hudson P J,Bansal S.2017.Unraveling the disease consequences and mechanisms of modular structure in animal social networks.Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences,114(16):4165-4170.
Shang X T,Luo C P,Li B,Zheng Y,Zhou Z Q,Zhang L,Li S.2020.Diversity and fauna composition of birds in the Wanglang National Nature Reserve,Sichuan.Sichuan Journal of Zoology,39(1)93-106.(in Chinese).
Schaller G B.1977.Mountain Monarchs:Wild Sheep and Goats of the Himalaya.Chicago:University of Chicago Press.
Schaller G B.1998.Wildlife of the Tibetan Steppe.Chicago:University of Chicago Press.
Scott C,Paul S,David C.2014.Effects of predation risk on group size,vigilance,and foraging behavior in an African ungulate community.Behavioral Ecology,25(4):773-784.
Sumpter D J.2010.Collective Animal Behavior.Princeton,NJ:Princeton University Press.
Sun R Y.2001.Principles of Animal Ecology.Beijing:Beijing Normal University Publishing House.(in Chinese).
Wang X M,Li M,Tang S X,Liu Z X.1998.A preliminary study of some characters of blue sheep population ecology in spring.Acta Theriologica Sinica,18(1):27-33.(in Chinese).
Wang M Y,Shen N,Chen C,Xu W X,Han L,Yang W K.2020.Effects of road on diurnal group pattern and vigilance behavior in goitered gazelle.Chinese Journal of Ecology,39(3):937-943.
Yu Y Q,Guo S T,Bai Q S,Li Z G,Hu T H,Lu H J.2004.The sea-sonal change of blue sheep population structure in Helanshan Mountains.Acta Theriologica Sinica,24(3):200-204.
Zhang R Z.2011.Zoogeography of China.Beijing:Science Press.(in Chinese).
Zhu X S,Wang M Y,Yang W K,Blank D A.2016.Social structure of Asiatic ibex(Capra sibirica) in Middle Tien Shan,Xinjiang.Acta Theriologica Sinica,36(1):55-63.(in Chinese).
王小明,李明,唐绍祥,刘志霄.1998.春季岩羊种群生态学特征的初步研究.兽类学报,18(1):27-33.
龙帅,周材权,王维奎,潘立,胡锦矗.2009.矮岩羊夏季活动节律、时间分配和集群行为.动物学研究,30(6):687-693.
朱新胜,汪沐阳,杨维康,David Blank.2016.新疆天山中部北山羊社群结构.兽类学报,36(1):56-63.
刘国库,周材权,杨志松,龙帅,潘立,曾国伟,李开俊,唐伦.2010.冬春季矮岩羊集群特征比较.生态学报,30(9):2484-2490.
刘振生,李新庆,王小明,李志刚,胡天华,翟昊.2009a.贺兰山岩羊(Pseudois nayaur)集群特征的季节变化.生态学报,29(6):2782-2788.
刘振生,胡天华,王力军.2009b.贺兰山脊椎动物.银川:宁夏人民出版社.
刘鹏.2019.基于红外相机技术的贺兰山同域分布阿拉善马鹿和岩羊活动规律、集群行为的比较研究.哈尔滨:东北林业大学硕士学位论文.
孙儒泳.2001.动物生态学原理.北京:北京师范大学出版社.
李晟,王大军,肖治术,李欣海,王天明,冯利民,王云.2014.红外相机技术在我国野生动物研究与保护中的应用与前景.生物多样性,22(6):685-695.
李晟之.2018.王朗志:四川王朗国家级自然保护区志(1965-2015).成都:四川科学技术出版社.
李新庆,刘振生,王小明,崔多英,李志刚,胡天华.2007.发情交配期贺兰山岩羊的集群特征.兽类学报,27(1):39-44.
李新庆.2006.贺兰山岩羊集群特征.上海:华东师范大学硕士学位论文.
连新明,苏建平,张同作,曹伊凡.2005.可可西里地区藏羚的社群特征.生态学报,25(6):1341-1346.
余玉群,郭松涛,白庆生,李志刚,胡天华,吕海军.2004.贺兰山岩羊种群结构的季节性变化.兽类学报,24(3):200-204.
张荣祖.2011.中国动物地理.北京:科学出版社.
陈万里,谌利民,马文虎,李英,葛宝明.2013.四川羚牛繁殖期集群类型及海拔分布.四川动物,32(6):841-845.
陈星,赵联军,胡茜茜,罗春平,梁春平,蒋仕伟,梁磊,郑维超,官天培.2019.基于地形的牲畜空间利用特征及干扰评价——以王朗国家级自然保护区为例.生物多样性,27(6):630-637.
陈星,赵联军,胡茜茜,刘明星,罗春平,蒋仕伟,古晓东,官天培.2020.岩羊在森林-草甸交错生境活动的季节特征.动物学杂志,55(6):692-701.
尚晓彤,罗春平,李斌,郑勇,周智强,张立,李晟.2020.四川王朗国家级自然保护区鸟类多样性与区系组成.四川动物,39(1):93-106.
汪沐阳,晟男,陈晨,徐文轩,韩雷,杨维康.2020.道路交通对鹅喉羚昼间集群特征和警戒行为的影响.生态学杂志,39(3):937-943.
胡茜茜,郑维超,李佳琦,李晟,杨晗,陈星,官天培.2018.四姑娘山国家级自然保护区鸟兽多样性初步调查.生物多样性,26(12):1325-1331.
胡锦矗.2007.哺乳动物学.北京:中国教育出版社.
胡磊.2013.基于红外自动相机技术的马鹿和狍活动节律与马鹿集群行为.北京:北京林业大学硕士学位论文.
曹丽荣,刘振生,王小明,胡天华,翟昊,侯建海.2005.贺兰山保护区冬季岩羊集群特征的初步分析.兽类学报,25(2):200-204.
黄沛琳,肖文宏,杨海涛,周博,赵小丹,武红艳,冯利民,王天明.2015.东北梅花鹿种群活动节律和集群行为研究.北京师范大学学报(自然科学版),5(12):498-503.
Options
Outlines

/

〈 〉

　青公网安备 63010402000199号 青ICP备05000010号-2
Copyright © ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA, All Rights Reserved.
Tel: +86-971-6143617　Fax: +86-971-6143282　E-mail: slxb@nwipb.cas.cn
Powered by Beijing Magtech Co., Ltd.