Biodiv Sci ›› 2021, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (12): 1650-1657.  DOI: 10.17520/biods.2021207

• Original Papers: Animal Diversity • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Behavioral ethogram and posture-act-environment coding system of Capricornis sumatraensis

Huaijun Liu1,2, Xu Lü2,5, Xiaofang Wang2, Weili Kou3,*(), Guohui Miu2,4, Hua Yuan1   

  1. 1 College of Forestry, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224
    2 Lixian Forestry and Grassland Bureau, Lixian, Sichuan 623100
    3 College of Big Data and Intelligent Engineering, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224
    4 Shifang Natural Resources and Planning Bureau, Shifang, Sichuan 618400
    5 Miyaluo Nature Reserve, Lixian, Sichuan 623100
  • Received:2021-05-23 Accepted:2021-07-20 Online:2021-12-20 Published:2021-08-20
  • Contact: Weili Kou

Abstract:

Aims: Habitat fragmentation and human disturbance are factors that affect the survival of Capricornis sumatraensis. Protecting C. sumatraensis, in-depth study of the behavioral and ecological characteristics of this species is the prerequisite and basis for taking necessary protective measures. Behavioral research of C. sumatraensis is relatively scarce, so it is necessary to build a behavioral ethogram and posture-act-environment (PAE) coding system of C. sumatraensis in order to promote the improvement of their basic behavior data, and lay the foundation for further scientific research and protection.
Methods: (1) Referring to the commonly used animal behavior coding methods in China, the behavior ethogram and PAE coding system of C. sumatraensis were established based on the PAE axis. Twenty percent of C. sumatraensis videos were randomly selected from the video database to test the effectiveness of the behavioral ethogram. (2) The behavioral data of C. sumatraensis were counted and the behavioral diversity index was calculated. The differences between the behavioral diversity of specific age groups were analyzed, and the correlation between specific age groups and behavioral diversity index was calculated.
Results: (1) This paper classifies 10 postures, 80 actions, 9 environments and 78 behaviors of C. sumatraensis, and establishes the behavior ethogram and PAE coding system of C. sumatraensis for the first time. Through the behavior ethogram, it can objectively identify and classify C. sumatraensis behaviors. (2) Compared with sub-adults and cub, adult C. sumatraensis had the highest Avariable, A, r, r-variable. The Avariable, A, r of C. sumatraensis sub-adults were lower than adults but higher than cub. Cub C. sumatraensis had the lowest Avariable, A, r, and the r-variable was higher than that of sub-adults. (3) The behavior ethogram of the C. sumatraensis can be generally used in the study of its behavior. The results could be improved by obtaining images of reproductive behavior, and updating the behavior ethogram and PAE coding system. (4) The behavioral diversity index of C. sumatraensis was not significantly different among the three age groups (F = 0.013, P = 0.987). From cub to adult, the Avariable, A, r of C. sumatraensis increased with age.
Conclusion: Further research on the behavior of C. sumatraensis is needed to provide scientific support for its protection.

Key words: Capricornis sumatraensis, behavior ethogram, PAE coding system