Seasonal activity patterns of ungulates in Qinling Mountains based on camera-trap data

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1003.2014.140073

Abstract

Abstract:

Between August 2009 and April 2013, in the Guanyingshan Nature Reserve, Shaanxi Province, we collected photo data on six ungulates (Budorcas taxicolor, Naemorhedus griseus, Elaphodus cephalophus, Capricornis milneedwardsii, Muntiacus reevesi and Moschus berezovskii) with 18 infrared cameras. Using the relative abundance index (RAI), we analyzed activity patterns and seasonal differences of these six species. The results show that: (1) their total RAI in the study area reaches 58.71%, the RAI of B. taxicolor was 28.02%, and it was 13.24% for N. griseus, 10.08% for E. cephalophus, 4.21% for C. milneedwardsii, 2.26% for M. reevesi, and 0.90% for M. berezovskii. (2) Monthly RAIs (MRAI) of six ungulates reflected seasonal activity patterns; B. taxicolor, N. griseus, E. cephalophus, C. milneedwardsii, M. reevesi exhibited similar activity patterns. These species were most active in summer, became inactive in autumn and winter, and then gradually increased activity in spring. M. berezovskii, on the other hand, was most active in winter and least active in summer. (3) The time-period relative abundance indices (TRAI) of the six ungulates reflect their daily activity patterns. B. taxicolor and N. griseus have similar daily activity patterns with an active peak at 06:00-20:00.The daily activity pattern of E. cephalophus, M. reevesi and M. berezovskii showed obvious crepuscular habits. C. milneedwardsii also has two peaks but at 02:00-06:00 and 20:00-22:00 implying nocturnal activities. (4) Comparative analyses of daily activity patterns among the four seasons showed that B. taxicolor displayed a different pattern in spring with an activity peak at 16:00-20:00. Compared with other seasons, N. gresius, E. cephalophus and C. milneedwardsii have different patterns in winter with either a delayed or advanced activity peak. In the case of M. reevesi, spring daily activity patterns showed two peaks at 00:00-10:00 and 18:00-20:00. Due to a paucity of captures, M. berezovskii showed different activity patterns in all four seasons. (5) Analysis of the nocturnality showed that C. milneedwardsii was obviously nocturnal with a nighttime relative abundance index (NRAI) of 65.81%. Our results help us to understand the activity patterns of these ungulates in Qinling, to monitor their population dynamics, and provide a theoretical basis and data support for the nature reserves to protect the ungulate animals more efficiently.

Key words: activity patterns, camera trap, ungulates, relative abundance index (RAI), seasonal variation

Xiaodong Jia,Xuehua Liu,Xingzhong Yang,Pengfeng Wu,Melissa Songer,Qiong Cai,Xiangbo He,Yun Zhu. Seasonal activity patterns of ungulates in Qinling Mountains based on camera-trap data[J]. Biodiv Sci, 2014, 22(6): 737-745.

Figures/Tables 6

Fig. 1 Camera trapping sites in the study area at Guanyinshan

Table 1 The number of photos of six ungulates in four seasons at Guanyinshan

物种 Species	有效照片数 Independents captures				样本量 Sample size
物种 Species	春季 Spring	夏季 Summer	秋季 Autumn	冬季 Winter	样本量 Sample size
总和 Sum	396	870	544	350	2,160
羚牛 Budorcas taxicolor	181	333	300	217	1,031
川西斑羚 Naemorhedus griseus	91	257	77	62	487
毛冠鹿 Elaphodus cephalophus	62	176	115	18	371
中华鬣羚 Capricornis milneedwardsii	27	53	43	32	155
小麂 Muntiacus reevesi	26	45	4	8	83
林麝 Moschus berezovskii	9	6	5	13	33

Fig. 2 Annual activity patterns of six ungulates at Guanyinshan. (a)Budorcas taxicolor; Naemorhedus griseus; Elaphodus cephalophus; Capricornis milneedwardsii; (b) Muntiacus reevesi and Moschus berezovskii.

Fig. 3 The daily activity patterns of six ungulates at Guanyinshan. (a) Budorcas taxicolor and Naemorhedus griseus; (b) Elaphodus cephalophus; Capricornis milneedwardsii; Muntiacus reevesi; Moschus berezovskii.

Fig. 4 Daily activity patterns of six ungulates in four seasons at Guanyinshan

Fig. 5 The norcturnal RAI of six ungulates at Guanyinshan. 1. Capricornis milneedwardsii; 2. Muntiacus reevesi; 3. Moschus berezovski; 4.Naemorhedus griseus; 5.Elaphodus cephalophus; 6. Budorcas taxicolor.

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