Group Behaviour And Conservation Genetics Of Bharal (Pseudois Nayaur) In Helan Mountain, China

The group structure, size and sex ratio of blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) were studied from Nov. to Dec, 2003, and from April to June,2004, in Helan Mountain of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China. We scanned mountain slopes with a pair of binoculars and observed with a variable magnification (20- 60 ×) spotting-scope. A total of 218 groups from 1 370 blue sheep were observed in spring and 310 groups from 1 337 individuals in early winter. Taken together the results presented here and the data from 1994, 1995 and 1996 during the field research, the group behaviour was studies. In doing so, we consulted the literatures about blue sheep; In the meantime, Mitochondrial DNA (mfDNA) D-loop region sequences (5' hypervariable region, 554bp) from 71 samples of Blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) collected from six study localities throughout Ningxia Helan Mountain Nature Reverse, were investigated to analyse distribution patterns of genetic variability, elucidate matrilineal structure throughout Ningxia Helan mountain and investigate population history. This work represent the first analysis of blue sheep mitochondrial control region DNA to be performed from population genetic perspective. The results are baseline genetic information as a proactive approach to assist in developing effective management strategies. The major results and conclusions are as follows:1, In spring, female group (40.3%, n=88) is the main group type, However, mixed group (49.7%, n=154) and female group (48.4%, n=150) were predominated in early winter. The percentage of female group and its stability were not quite different in spring and early winter ( |U| <1.96, P > 0.05),while frequencies of observed mixed group and male group varied seasonally significantly ( |U| >2.58, P<0.01 ) .2, The mean size of social group was 5.57±5.38 (n=218) in spring and 4.29±5.48 (n=310) in early winter. No significantly difference was found in average group size between spring and early winter (P > 0.05). The main social units in blue sheep were: female groups, male groups and mixed groups. The average group size in spring and early winter for female group is 2.91±1.23 and 2.6±1.1, 6.51±6.17 and 2.3±0.5 for male group, 7.97±6.44 and 5.8±6.4 for mixed group respectively. The average group size for the three group categories did not varied seasonally. In both seasons, Mixed groups were the largest and most variational, wheres female groups were small and of...