Biodiv Sci ›› 2024, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (6): 24042.  DOI: 10.17520/biods.2024042  cstr: 32101.14.biods.2024042

• Original Papers: Animal Diversity • Previous Articles     Next Articles

PAE coding and diversity analysis of Moschus berezovskii behavior based on infrared camera technology

Fen Song1,2(), Yunyun Zhou2, Taifu Huang3(), Cuncun Yang4, Guiqing Yu4, Shurong Tian2,*(), Zuofu Xiang1,*()()   

  1. 1. College of Forest, Central South University of Forestry & Technology, Changsha 410004
    2. Forestry Academy of Hunan Province, Changsha 410004
    3. Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091
    4. Administration Bureau of Hunan Hupingshan National Nature Reserve, Changde, Hunan 415319
  • Received:2024-01-31 Accepted:2024-05-04 Online:2024-06-20 Published:2024-06-18
  • Contact: * E-mail: 139685878@qq.com; xiangzf@csuft.edu.cn

Abstract:

Aims: At present, few studies have been conducted on the behavior of wild forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii). Therefore, we aim to construct an ethogram and posture-act-environment (PAE) coding system for M. berezovskii to improve our fundamental understanding of this species’ behavior.
Methods: Infrared camera monitoring data collected at Hupingshan National Nature Reserve in Hunan Province from April 2019 to June 2023 were classified and summarized. Referring to commonly used animal behavior coding methods in China, the behavior spectrum and PAE coding system of M. berezovskii were established with ‘posture-act- environment’. These behavioral data were statistically analyzed and the behavioral diversity index was calculated to analyze differences in behavior across seasons, genders, age groups, and habitats.
Results: A total of 845 valid photos and 133 videos of wild M. berezovskii were identified, and 7 postures, 65 acts and 32 behaviors of M. berezovskii were distinguished and recorded from this video data. These records cover all common daily behaviors of M. berezovskii. We found differences in the behavioral diversity index in different seasons, with the highest diversity indice in spring (Hspring = 0.8922, rspring = 0.3850), followed by summer (Hsummer = 0.7954, rsummer = 0.3432), autumn (Hautumn = 0.7775, rautumn = 0.3355), and lastly, winter (Hwinter = 0.5094, rwinter = 0.2198). The behaviors of males, females and juvenile were significantly different. Three types of behaviors were not recorded in juvenile (tagging behavior, elimination behavior, and self-directed). Females performed more self-directed behaviors, and males displayed unique marking behaviors. The behavioral diversity index of females (Hfemales = 0.6338) was greater than males (Hmales = 0.5814), and lowest for juvenile (Hjuvenile = 0.3816). Among habitat types, the behavioral diversity index of M. berezovskii in mixed broadleaf-conifer forest was the highest, and the ingestive behavior is the predominant behavior displayed, regardless of habitat type.
Conclusion: This study provides the behavioral spectrum and a behavior spectrum and PAE coding system of wild M. berezovskii for the first time. Our results provide vital foundational data paving the way to further research on behavioral ecology and conservation management of M. berezovskii.

Key words: Moschus berezovskii, ethogram, PAE coding system, behavioral diversity, Hupingshan