Feeding Habits And Trophic Niches Of Two Sympatric Ungulates In The Central Tianshan Mountains

The Asiatic ibex(Capra sibirica)and Argali(Ovis ammon)are symatrically distributed in the Gurengou area of Tianshan Mountains,and there are currently few data on their feeding habits.In this paper,fecal microscopic analysis was used to study the seasonal changes of feeding habits and trophic niches and interspecific relationship.The results can provide reference for the sampling of fecal microanalysis methods,as well as provide important data for the conservation and management of Asiatic ibex and argali in the area and the ecological restoration of alpine pastures.The results show that:(1)Based on fecal microscopic analysis method,using 100 plant fragments observed,a minimum number of 5 vision fields per slide,5 slides per pellet and 4 pellet groups provide a reasonable compromise between precision and cost.(2)Plants belonging to 12 families,29 species(genus)and 9 families and 24 species(genus)were identified in adults of Asiatic ibex in summer and winter respectively.Of juvenile Asiatic ibex,13 families,27 species(genus)and 11 families and 25 species(genus)plants were identified in summer and winter respectively.There were a significant seasonal changes in diet composition between adults(Pearson ?2=49.954,df=31,P=0.017)and juvenile(Pearson ?2-54.323,df=30,P=0.004)of Asiatic ibex.There was a significant difference(Pearson ?2=58.001,df=33,P=0.005)in diet composition between the adults and juvenile ibexes in summer,and there was no significant difference(Pearson ?2=34.321,df=27,P=0.157)in winter.Gramineae,Cyperaceae,Leguminosae,Rosaceae and Asteraceae are the main food for Asiatic ibex.Stipa spp.,Kobresia spp.,and Poa alpina are the most commonly plant species consumed by the Asiatic ibex.(3)Plants belonging to 13 families,32 species(genus)and 11 families and 22 species(genus)were identified in adults of argali in male and female,and the adults of argali in respectively.A total of 11 families and 27 species(genus)plants were detected of adult in winter.A total of 12 families,28 species(genus)and 13 families and 28 species(genus)were observed in the juvenile argali in summer and winter respectively.There was significant differences(Pearson ?2=115.112,df=33,P=0.000)in diet composition between the male and female adults in summer.There was a significant difference between adults and juvenile in summer(Pearson ?2=56.283,df=36,P=0.017)and there was no significant difference in winter(Pearson ?2=41.190,df=33,P-0.155).Between the summer and winter,the adults(Pearson ?2=67.262,df=36,P=0.001)and the juvenile(Pearson ?2=80.681,df=30,P=0.000)in diet composition have significant changes.Gramineae,Cyperaceae,Leguminosae,Rosaceae and Asteraceae are the main food for argali.Stipa spp.,Kobresia spp.,and Poa alpina are the most common plant species consumed by argali.(4)Index of food overlaps between females and juvenile argali was the highest(0.83)and between the adult argali and the Asiatic ibex juvenile was the lowest(0.57)in summer.Index of overlaps between adult and juvenile argali was the highest(0.85)and between the adult argali and juvenile ibex(0.73)was the lowest in winter.