Canjun Xia

Grouping pattern of the goitered gazelle, Gazella subgutturosa (Cetartiodactyla: Bovidae) in Kazakhstan

Abstract The group size and composition of goitered gazelles were investigated over several years in Kazakhstan. Most gazelles formed groups of one to three individuals all year round. This small herd size recorded in our study area was probably a consequence of the feeding ecology of the goitered gazelle, which is a very selective ruminant of small body size. With respect to group composition, female and male groups were the most often noted (52.0% and 37.9%), while mixed herds and groups of yearlings were considerably rarer (4.6% and 5.5%). Moreover, mixed groups were the largest groups (mean±SE: 5.29±0.25 individuals per group), followed by female groups (2.40±0.03), male groups (2.14±0.05), and yearling herds (1.49±0.05). In addition, the grouping pattern varied seasonally and corresponded very closely to the yearly breeding cycle of the goitered gazelle. Nevertheless, it remains consistent with what is known of the grouping pattern of other gazelles.

Seasonal diet of Khulan (Equidae) in Northern Xinjiang, China

Abstract The natural diet of khulan (Equus hemionus Pallas, 1775) was observed over the period of a year in northern Xinjiang, China, using faecal analysis. The winter food habits of the khulan and domestic sheep were also compared. The faecal analysis method demonstrated that khulan ate 46 species of plants during the year. Diets varied seasonally, with the widest food breadth in winter (0.43) and the least in summer (0.10). Chenopodiaceae and Poaceae were major foods of khulan, and during spring, forbs were quite important as well. In contrast, Stipa glareosa was preferred during spring and summer, but consumed less during autumn and winter. Shrubs dominated the khulans natural diet during autumn and winter. The dietary overlap between khulan and domestic sheep was 48.3% during winter. As a grazer living in arid environments, khulan ate more shrubs than other equids living in grassland, and their winter diet was an adaptation to avoid competition from domestic sheep. The number of sheep in the reserve should be reduced to lessen the pressure of competition.

Diet of Gazella subgutturosa (Güldenstaedt, 1780) and food overlap with domestic sheep in Xinjiang, China

Abstract. The natural diet of goitred gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) was studied over the period of a year in northern Xinjiang, China using microhistological analysis. The winter food habits of the goitred gazelle and domestic sheep were also compared. The microhistological analysis method demonstrated that gazelle ate 47 species of plants during the year. Chenopodiaceae and Poaceae were major foods, and ephemeral plants were used mostly during spring. Stipa glareosa was a major food item of gazelle throughout the year, Ceratoides latens was mainly used in spring and summer, whereas in autumn and winter, gazelles consumed a large amount of Haloxylon ammodendron. Because of the extremely warm and dry weather during summer and autumn, succulent plants like Allium polyrhizum, Zygophyllum rosovii, Salsola subcrassa were favored by gazelles. In winter, goitred gazelle and domestic sheep in Kalamaili reserve had strong food competition; with an overlap in diet of 0.77. The number of sheep in the reserve should be reduced to lessen the pressure of competition.

Diurnal time budget of goitred gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa Güldenstaedt, 1780) in Xinjiang, China

Abstract It is considered that four factors influence ungulate activity budget: (a) seasonal biomass and quality, (b) temperature, (c) yearly life cycle, and (d) livestock movements and human activity. In order to test them, the diurnal time budget of goitred gazelles was studied using the focal sampling method in Xinjiang Province (China) during a two-year period (2007–2009). According to our results, in all seasons goitred gazelles spent more than half (up to 68.9%) of their daytime feeding on pastures, and more than one-third resting in spring, autumn, and especially summer (up to 42.1%); in winter their resting time decreased to 29.0% for males and 19.0% for females. Though other activities were very important in the gazelles’ lives, the diurnal time budget for these activities was low (<8.0%). Goitred gazelles showed a trimodal feeding activity in most seasons, and a bimodal in summer (females). Females in summer and males during rutting season devoted more significant time to other activities (suckling, moving, courting and agonistic behaviour). However, the portion of time was still notably lower than for feeding and resting.

Seasonal and sexual variation in vigilance behavior of goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) in western China

Animals receive benefits from social behavior. As part of a group, individuals spend less time having to be vigilant. This phenomenon, called the “group size effect,” is considered the most dominant factor in an animal’s demonstrated level of vigilance. However, in addition to group size, many other social and environmental factors also influence the degree of vigilance, including the season of the year and the sex of the individual. In our study, we examined the vigilant behavior of goitered gazelles in the Xinjiang Province in western China to test whether and how seasons, the yearly breeding cycle, and group size affect vigilance. According to our results, we found that seasonal factors were not a substantial influence on a gazelle’s level of vigilance, while group size had a tangible effect. In comparison, the yearly breeding cycle (a natural phenomenon) was the most powerful factor: it significantly changed the degree of vigilance in females during birthing and males during rut. Anthropogenic factors (unnatural phenomena) were also potential causes of increased vigilance in both sexes during winter.

The energy-maintenance strategy of goitered gazelles Gazella subgutturosa during rut

In many polygynous ruminant species, males decrease their food intake considerably during the rut. To explain this phenomenon of rut-reduced hypophagia, two main hypotheses, the Foraging-Constraint Hypothesis and Energy-Saving Hypothesis, have been proposed. In our research, we assessed the behavioral strategy of goitered gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa) through the rutting period. According to our findings, male goitered gazelles spent less time feeding during the rut compared to pre- and post-rut feeding times, but then maximized their energy intake during the rutting season when they were not engaged in rut-related behaviors. Females, in contrast, did not change their time budgets across the different stages of the rut. Therefore, rut-induced hypophagia is mainly arising from the constraints of rut-related behaviors for male goitered gazelles, so that the Foraging-Constraint Hypothesis better explains their strategy during rut.