Identification of Individuals of Two Takin Subspecies Using Biological and Ecological Criteria in Eastern Himalayas of China
Author:
Wang Yuan1234ORCID, Lv Yonglei256, Wang Guanglong2, Liu Feng2, Ji Yingxun7, Liu Zheng8, Zhao Wanglin9, Liu Wulin2, Dun Zhu Pu Bu2, Jin Kun134
Affiliation:
1. Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China 2. Tibet Autonomous Region Research Institute of Forestry Inventory and Planning, Lhasa 850000, China 3. Research Institute of Natural Protected Area, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China 4. Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Conservation of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing 100091, China 5. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100000, China 6. Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100083, China 7. Forestry and Grassland Bureau of Linzhi City, Tibet Autonomous Region, Linzhi 860010, China 8. Forestry and Grassland Bureau of Medog County, Tibet Autonomous Region, Medog 860799, China 9. Medog Earth Landscape and Earth System Comprehensive Observation and Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Medog 860799, China
Abstract
Limited background data are available on the Mishmi takin (Budorcas taxicolor taxicolor) and Bhutan takin (Budorcas taxicolor whitei) subspecies in the Eastern Himalayas of China because of the lack of systematic field investigations and research. Therefore, mature-animal ecological methods were used to evaluate these takin subspecies’ phenotypic characteristics, distribution range, activity rhythm, and population size. From 2013 to 2022, 214 camera traps were installed for wild ungulate monitoring and investigation in all human-accessible areas of the Eastern Himalayas, resulting in 4837 distinguishable takin photographs. The external morphological characteristics were described and compared using visual data. Artificial image correction and related technologies were used to establish physical image models based on the differences between subspecies. MaxEnt niche and random encounter models obtained distribution ranges and population densities. Mishmi takins have a distribution area of 17,314 km2, population density of 0.1729 ± 0.0134 takins/km2, and population size of 2995 ± 232. Bhutan takins have a distribution area of 25,006 km2, population density of 0.1359 ± 0.0264 takins/km2, and population size of 3398 ± 660. Long-term monitoring data confirmed that the vertical migration within the mountain ecosystems is influenced by climate. Mishmi takins are active at 500–4500 m, whereas Bhutan takins are active at 1500–4500 m. The two subspecies were active at >3500 m from May to October yearly (rainy season). In addition, surveying combined with model simulation shows that the Yarlung Zangbo River is not an obstacle to migration. This study provides basic data that contribute to animal diversity knowledge in biodiversity hotspots of the Eastern Himalayas and detailed information and references for species identification, distribution range, and population characteristics.
Funder
Research on Classification of Terrestrial Wildlife Conservation and Management Project of Rare and Endangered Species Investigation, Supervision, and Industrial Norms of the State Forestry and Grassland Administration Second Terrestrial Wildlife Resource Survey Project of the Tibet Autonomous Region National Forestry and Grassland Administration Project Dynamic Monitoring of Distribution, Quantity and Activity of Typical Large and Medium-sized Mammals in the Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin Survey of Wildlife Resources in Key Areas of Tibet
Reference49 articles.
1. Wang, Y., Li, D., Dunzhu, P., Liu, W., Feng, L., and Jin, K. (2022). Recognition of Coat Pattern Variation and Broken Tail Phenomenon in the Asiatic Golden Cat (Catopuma temminckii). Animals, 12. 2. Wang, Y., Li, D., Wang, G., Zhu, P.B.D., Liu, W., Li, C., and Jin, K. (2022). Morphological, phaneroptic, habitat and population description of three muntjac species in a Tibetan nature reserve. Animals, 12. 3. A New Methodology for Studying the Activity of Underground Mammals;Andreychev;Biol. Bull. Russ. Acad. Sci.,2018 4. Xie, Y., and Yu, W. (2023). Remote Monitoring of Amur Tigers in Forest Ecosystems Using Improved YOLOX Algorithm. Forests, 14. 5. Yang, L., Wei, F., Zhan, X., Fan, H., Zhao, P., Huang, G., Chang, J., Lei, Y., and Hu, Y. (2022). Evolutionary conservation genomics reveals recent speciation and local adaptation in threatened takins. Mol. Biol. Evol., 39.
|
|