Search

The impact of climate fluctuations on the genetic diversity and distribution of species is of particular concern for large mammals that are already at risk of extinction. In this study, we investigated the genetic status of populations, the evolutionary relationships, and the current and future state of population dispersion of the goitered gazelle, Gazella subgutturosa, using 109 mtDNA sequences (cytb) and species distribution modeling. We assessed the impact of past (Last Glacial Maximum [lgm: 21 Kya] and Mid-Holocene [6 Kya]), current, and future (2070) climate on the phylogeography and spatial distribution of the species. Our results indicate evidence of divergence of two main clades (G. subgutturosa subgutturosa, and G. subgutturosa yarkandensis) (1.052 Mya) and a further split between two clades of G. s. subgutturosa (Middle Eastern and Central Iranian) in the middle Pleistocene. Historical species distribution models suggest the species' range has not changed much across all periods examined, but there has been a decreasing trend from 21k to the current. Future climate projections (bcc-csm1 and ccsm4, rcp s 4.5 and 6 scenarios) predict a contraction of suitable habitat at the northern and southern edges of the species' current distribution, shifting the range to the center of the study area. Biogeographic analyses suggest that vicariance and dispersal events have shaped the genetic structure of G. subgutturosa. Our findings suggest that the current genetic structure of the species is potentially related to Pleistocene climatic fluctuations and refuges (Alborz, Zagros, and Kope Dagh Mountains) during cold periods. The study highlights the importance of understanding the genetic status of populations and their evolutionary relationships to effectively prevent further declines of species at risk of extinction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying suitable habitats for wild felids is essential for effective area-based conservation efforts. However, modeling habitat suitability for extremely rare and endangered taxa such as the Asiatic Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) is challenging due to limited data availability. To address this, our study focused on analysing the distribution factors of the Asiatic Cheetah's main prey species, including the Wild Goat (Capra aegagrus), Urial (Ovis vignei), Goitered Gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), Jebeer Gazelle (Gazella bennettii), and Cape Hare (Lepus capensis) in the Turan Biosphere Reserve (TBR), a critical Cheetah habitat in Iran. To determine habitat suitability for these prey species, we conducted a systematic field survey along 30 transects measuring 16 km each by collecting data in each 1 km interval, resulting in 1172 direct observations of their presence. These observations were then correlated with 44 variables grouped into four categories: bioclimatic, topography, vegetation, and distance to anthropogenic and natural features. Suitability maps were generated using a hierarchical modeling approach. Among the observed prey species, Urial had the highest frequency of sightings (675 visual observations over eight seasons), followed by Goitered Gazelle (564 observations), Cape Hare (278 observations), Jebeer Gazelle (232 observations), and Wild Goat (208 observations). The most influential predictors affecting prey species distribution were mean summer temperature (with optimal ranges at lower temperatures), terrain relief roughness (with optimal ranges at intermediate roughness), distance to wells (with optimal ranges at shorter distances), and distance to corrals (with variable optimal ranges across species). Our findings indicate that the western and eastern mountainous areas, along with their hilly surroundings, as well as the northwest and western plains of TBR, constitute the most suitable habitats for these five prey species. These models and suitability maps provide crucial evidence for implementing conservation measures in the vulnerable habitats of the Asiatic Cheetah and its primary prey species. Environmental conditions can be enhanced through the management of water sources, roads, corrals, and livestock grazing. In addition, the fragmentation of suitable areas within TBR highlights the importance of preserving corridors between these fragmented habitats. We recommend re-evaluating and expanding the boundaries of Turan National Park, Turan Wildlife Refuge, and Turan Biosphere Reserve to ensure the long-term conservation of this threatened felid species and its associated ecosystems.

Gazella subgutturosa, a vulnerable species, is threatened by illegal hunting for meat and sport. The mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox-1) is used as a DNA marker to distinguish mammalian species for the investigation of illegal hunting. In this study, we sequenced a part of the cox-1 gene (709 bp) of six Mongolian G. subgutturosa individuals. Our DNA sequences were clustered in a clade of Gazella which is distinct from other clades of mammalian species in the phylogenetic tree. Our findings suggest that DNA sequences can be useful in the investigation of illegal hunting.

The investigation of population size and the distribution of suitable habitats provides a baseline for effective con⁃ servation of wildlife and making rational management strategies. In order to estimate the population size, structure, and suitable habitat of Gazella subgutturosa in Hami, Xinjiang, we carried out field investigations by line transect from July to September 2022. Distance software and the MaxEnt model were used for data analyses. Results showed that 303 herds with a total of 1, 029 individuals were recorded. The prediction accuracy of the MaxEnt model was high, with an average AUC of 0. 939. The suitable habitat for G. subgutturosa was about 17, 259 km², which accounted for 12. 15% of Hami City and was mainly located in the basin on the south side of the eastern Tianshan Mountains. The estimated population density was (2. 013±0. 432) individual/km², and the herd size mostly ranged from 1 to 10, with a maximum of 21. The population size was estimated to be (34, 742±7, 455) individuals when the appropriate habitat area was integrated. The main factors determining the distribution of G. subgutturosa were human disturbance, altitude, isothermality, and mean temperature in the coldest season. Our results provide a theoretical basis for making management and protection policies for G. subgutturosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Wild animals perceive nonlethal human activities as a potential threat, and they respond to human disturbances in a variety of ways: changes in group size and time-investment on vigilance are common behaviors. In China, nature reserves are generally divided into three functional zones: the core zone, the buffer zone, and the experimental zone, which represent low, medium, and high human disturbance levels, respectively. However, mining developments in the three zones pose threats to goitered gazelle living in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve, China. In this study, we found that human disturbances have larger effects on smaller-sized, single-sex groups rather than larger-sized, mixed-sex groups. Goitered gazelle spend more time being vigilant in the experimental zone than in the other two zones. In the experimental zone, a greater linear decrease with respect to group size was observed. Our results indicate that intensive human disturbances in the core and buffer zones brought goitered gazelle and humans closer together, which induced changes in vigilance and grouping patterns of this social species. Ultimately, this may have negative effects on the fitness and survival of the species. Nonlethal human disturbances have been confirmed to have a negative effect on wildlife in a variety of ways, including on behaviors. In many studies, the impact of human disturbances on gregarious species of wildlife is assessed through changes in their social organization and vigilance. In our study in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve, China, we wanted to estimate the impacts of differing levels of human disturbances on two different group types (mixed-sex and all-male) of goitered gazelle, Gazella subgutturosa, living in three functional zones (experimental, buffer, and core zones), which represent high, medium, and low human disturbance levels, respectively. In addition, we studied the time spent vigilant as a function of group size with different levels of human disturbances in the three zones. In general, mixed-sex gazelle groups were of similar sizes in the three different zones, while all-male groups slightly differed in their sizes between the experimental and buffer zones. This may indicate that human disturbances have varying effects on the different group types, with smaller-sized, single-sex groups being more significantly affected by human disturbances than larger-sized, mixed-sex groups. Goitered gazelle showed higher vigilance levels in the experimental zone than in the two other zones. A trend of decreasing vigilance varying linearly with group size was also found in the three zones, and the rate of decrease was higher in the experimental zone. Increased habitat fragmentation and human activities brought goitered gazelle and humans closer together in the core zone. Therefore, stopping mining activities and returning the reserve to a continuous habitat with fewer environmental disturbances is the best way to establish and protect a stable population of this endangered species of gazelle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonal variation in extreme environments is a threat to endangered species. The gut microbiota is important in the adaptive strategies of wild herbivores, and herbivores will contact the soil microbiota when they are feeding. However, there are no studies about the effects of soil microbiota on the gut microbiota of wild herbivores. Understanding the seasonal adaptive strategies of wild herbivores based on their gut microbiota and the effects of soil microbiota on the herbivorous gut microbiota is indispensable for making optimal conservation recommendations. To address those issues, we compared the diversity and functions of gut microbiota in goitered gazelles between winter and summer with a non-invasive fecal sampling method from the Qaidam Basin based on 16S rRNA V3–V4 regions. The data showed that seasonal variations caused the significant changes in gut microbiota at α-and β-diversity levels. The main gut microbial function was “Metabolism”. It showed significant seasonal changes. The goitered gazelles adapted to the seasonal changes by increasing the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Christensenellaceae, Bacteroides and the function about “Metabolism” in the winter to improve the adaptability. We also compared the effects of soil microbiota on the gut microbiota between winter and summer, covering source tracking analysis and the seasonal differences in ecological assembly processes. The contribution of soil microbiota on the gut microbiota of goitered gazelles was 5.3095% and 15.6347% in winter and summer, respectively, which was greater than on species of animals living underground. Seasonal variation also influenced the ecological processes of microbiota both in the gut and soil. Due to the differences in environments, the ecological processes between fecal microbiota and soil microbiota showed significant differences, and they were dominated by stochastic processes and deterministic processes, respectively. The soil microbiota has contributed to the gut microbiota, but not a decisive factor. Our research laid the foundation on the seasonal and soil microbiota effects on the adaptive strategies of goitered gazelles, and is the first study to explain the soil microbiota influence on the gut microbiota of wild herbivores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Free-ranging domestic dogs Canis familiaris threaten wildlife species through predation, hybridization, competition for resources, and by contributing to the transmission of pathogens. The impacts of predation may be problematic, but in many regions the interactions of free-ranging dogs and wildlife are poorly studied. To determine the extent of the impacts of attacks by free-ranging dogs on Iranian mammals, we reviewed nearly 2 decades of social and traditional media reports and the scientific literature to gather data from across the country. We identified 160 free-ranging dog attacks (79 from academic articles, 14 from social media, and 67 from a variety of news websites) from 22 of the country's 31 provinces. Attacks by dogs were reported on 17 species, including nine Carnivora, six Artiodactyla, one Rodentia, and one Lagomorpha species. Most of the reported attacks on carnivores were on felids, including the Asiatic cheetah Acinonyx jubatus (n = 19), Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx (n = 18), caracal Caracal caracal (n = 10) and Pallas's cat Otocolobus manul (n = 8). Attacks on Artiodactyla were primarily reported for goitered gazelle Gazella subgutturosa (n = 47). Most of these attacks occurred within or adjacent to protected areas (n = 116, 73%), suggesting that free-ranging dogs are one of the most important human-associated threats to wildlife species even in protected landscapes. The impact of free-ranging dogs may be hampering conservation, and therefore we suggest some practical policy guidance for managing the impacts of free-ranging dogs on threatened species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the proximate and ultimate causes of sexual segregation have been well studied over the past 30 years, most of the research has focused on species with a pronounced sexual size dimorphism. Species with a smaller size dimorphism are probably understudied, because the assumption is that aggregation rather than sex segregation should be the norm. We used 6 years of direct observations of goitered gazelles, Gazella subgutturosa , an ungulate with a small degree of sexual size dimorphism, to explore sexual segregation and aggregation patterns and habitat choice at two timescales. We predicted minimal differences in activity budgets between the sexes, based on their small size dimorphism, and did not expect any evolutionary niche divergence based on size. However, we found that goitered gazelles showed considerable sexual and habitat segregation for most of the year, and only showed a tendency to randomly aggregate during the peak of the rutting season. We also found that they segregated socially and by habitat and had different activity budgets in some months. Behavioural asynchrony and sexual differences in habitat use were much greater than predicted for a species with such a small sexual dimorphism in body size. Our study confirms strong multifactorial sexual segregation patterns, and points to the potential importance that social factors (aggression and territoriality) may have on sexual segregation in goitered gazelles. • Studies on sexual segregation mostly focus on highly sexual size-dimorphic species. • High degree of sexual segregation was found in a less size-dimorphic species. • Both habitat differentiation and activity are associated with sexual segregation. • Goitered gazelles exhibit multifactorial segregation patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resting is an essential part of ungulate life that is very important for their comfort and welfare. The bed-site location is crucial for ungulate thermoregulation, concealment, and predation avoidance. The ground's preparation of bed-sites before lying down allows ungulates to recover their energy in fairly comfortable conditions. The bedding behavior is a basic and common pattern in ungulates, but this behavior is still poorly understood. In this paper, I studied the bedding and resting behaviors in goitered gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa), which have not yet been investigated until now. I found: (a) goitered gazelles preferred the soft substrate of the dry river beds for their resting places all year round; (b) they searched for comfortable bed-sites with their muzzles lowered and pawed the bed-site with one or both front legs; (c) searching for the best position on the bed-site, they spun around on the bed-site for 90–360º before lying down; (d) scratching bed-sites with the front hooves served rather to increase the softness of the resting place in all seasons than for clearing snow in winter only; (e) the gazelles changed their body side periodically during long lying periods avoiding pressure sores; and (f) to help maintain muscle tone, they stretched their bodies after ending a long resting period. Main functions of bedding behavior and related movements are similar to other ungulate species, but some patterns in goitered gazelles were observed that were unknown resting behaviors of other ungulate species, such as spinning around on the bed-site before lying down and changing body sides during rest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa), which are at the risk of extinction and are legally protected, have a cultural and aesthetic value in Turkey. It becomes incredibly important to increase their numbers in order to ensure their survival. In this context, it is required to examine thoroughly the pelvic cavity which contains reproductive organs and is used as the birth canal, as well. This study was conducted to determine the pelvimetric data of the gazelles by scanning their pelvic cavity via a multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and preparing three‐dimensional models of the pelvic cavity. Twelve adult (6 females, 6 males) gazelle carcasses were used in the study. After the pelvic cavity was scanned using the MDCT device with 64 detectors at 80 kV, 200 mA, 639 mGY and 0.625 mm cross‐section thickness, the MDCT images were obtained. The three‐dimensional models of the images obtained using MIMICS 20.1 (The Materialise Group, Leuven, Belgium) program were prepared. Pelvimetric measurements of the pelvic cavity were taken using these models. It was determined based on the pelvimetric examinations that there was a significant difference between the female and male gazelles in terms of conjugate diameter, vertical diameter, intermediate traversal diameter, and cranial and medial transverse diameter data at p <.05. Also, there was a significant difference in their data related to caudal transverse diameter and ischial arch at p <.01. Consequently, it is thought that the use of pelvimetric values belonging to the pelvic cavity of gazelles would reveal the sexual dimorphism of the species and its differences with other species and would contribute to clinical sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to model in 3D the detailed morphometric features of the thoracic and pelvic limb bones of the gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), whose natural habitat is only in the Sanliurfa province, by using multidetector computerized tomography (MDCT) images. Materials from 14 (7 male and 7 female) dead gazelles were collected from the Harran University Veterinary Medicine Faculty clinics during or after treatment. MDCT images of the gazelles were taken and saved as DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) files. MIMICS 20.1 software was used to generate a 3D reconstruction of the data, and morphological and morphometrical evaluation was performed. In respect of morphological features, the combined metacarpus (Mc) III and metacarpus Mc IV were the main weight‐bearing metacarpal bone, while Mc II and Mc V were rudimentary. On the femur, the lateral condyle was bigger than the medial condyle at the caudodistal end and the medial wing of the trochlea femoris was larger than the lateral. As with the thoracic limb, the combined metatarsus (Mt) III and metatarsus Mt IV were the main weight‐bearing metacarpal bone and they displayed a synostosis structure. There was no secondary metatarsus in the gazelles' pelvic limb. Based on digital measurements, the tibia was the longest bone of the gazelles' skeletal system, and there was a statistically significant sexual dimorphism throughout the skeleton at the levels of p <.05, p <.01 and p <.001. As a result, the present study's findings are useful as reference data for further studies on anatomy, surgery and archaezoology, while also being useful for classifying species and for forensic sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) mainly live in arid and semi-arid environments. In Qinghai Province, goitered gazelle are found only in the Qaidam Basin, which shows pronounced seasonal changes ranging from cold, dry winters to short, hot summers. The gut microbiota plays a very important role in host health, immunity, and digestion. Therefore, seasonal changes in gut microbiota can affect host digestion and metabolism in ways that help the host adapt to different forage conditions. Understanding the relationship between seasonal variations in the gut microbiota and host adaptability is a good basis for the protection of the goitered gazelle. Here, we present our findings on the diversity of the gut microbiota in fecal samples from wild goitered gazelle from Qiadam Basin, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which are the first such data to be reported. A total of 25 phyla were found, of which the dominant phyla are Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in both summer and winter, representing more than 90% of the overall relative abundance. Diet is a key factor in shaping the gut microbiota. Because of large differences in host diet between summer and winter, there are significant differences in microbiota community structures according to Amova (SS=0.3871; MS=0.387; Fs=6.856; P<0.001**). In winter, goitered gazelle must face cold weather as well as shortages in water and forage. To survive in a harsh environment, the relative abundance of Bacteroides, which enhances host metabolism of saccharides, increases significantly. In addition, water reabsorption was also significantly enhanced, which helps the goitered gazelles avoid dehydration in winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The goitred gazelle, which is classified as Vulnerable by IUCN has a very wide distribution across the Middle East, Pakistan, Central Asia, China and Mongolia. A few ecological studies have been conducted on some aspects of goitred gazelle, such as population dynamics, habitat selection, daily activity, and social organization. However, little is known about the population dynamics of Goitred gazelle in Iran. Among the artiodactyls in Golestan National Park, the Goitred gazelles have shown the most vulnerability to the poaching and increasing frequency and intensity of habitat destruction. The objective of this study was to determine the population dynamics of Goitred gazelle in different areas of Golestan National Park. Materials and methods: Fieldwork was carried out in Golestan National park, Iran. The transect line sampling method was used to survey the population dynamics of Goitred gazelle, during the survey at each of the 24 transects, in 3 visits were conducted between February 2016 and July 2016. Data (number of individuals, sex and age of gazelles) were collected at each of 24 transects. To calculate the density of gazelles we used the DISTANCE 6.0 program. Differences in the lambing rate were evaluated using non-parametrical Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-test. All the statistical tests were performed using Minitab 15 and Ecological Methodology softwares. Results and discussion: The results of density analysis showed that the Goitred gazelles had the largest and the smallest population size in Kohne Mirzabaylu and Rabat, respectively. Sex ratio was varied from 1.33 to 1.86. Moreover, the results of sex ratio showed that Almeh and Soulgerd populations had the best sex ratio. The number of middle-aged and older males was low in all gazelle populations. It means that a high portion of females prone to fertility could not mate. Many management strategies offer increase of mature males in population that resulted in increases in reproduction rate of females (Bender, 2002). Due to a few numbers of qualified females (6 years old and older), a considerable number of females could not mate. It means the males spend more time to collect the females and ward off the rival males and consequently the reproduction rate of females decreases. Yearlings (consist of male and female) and very old gazelles (more than 11 years old) had the highest and the lowest percent of Gazelle population, respectively. The highest percentage of lambs was occurred in Soulgerd and Kohne Mirzabaylu populations. This pattern of age class in lambs was due to high security in vicinity of these two areas to wildlife guard stations. There was no significant difference among different areas in lambing rate. This pattern was consistent with Varasteh (2004). Conclusion: According to this study conducted on sex and age structure, lambing rate, and density of Gazelles in comparison with the past, it is quite obvious that the current trend of population dynamics is in decline and this is an alarm that indicate the need for urgent action to reduce the speed of population decline and for careful and long-term planning to management of Gazelles population.

Due to the increased economic demand for livestock, the number of livestock is increasing. Because of human interference, the survival of wild animals is threatened in the face of competition, particularly in co-inhabited grazing pastures. This may lead to differences in the adaptability between wild and domestic animals, as well as nutritional deficiencies in wild animals. The gut microbiota is closely associated with host health, nutrition, and adaptability. However, the gut microbiota diversity and functions in domestic and wild animals in co-inhabited areas are unclear. To reveal the adaptability of wild and domestic animals in co-inhabited areas based on gut microbiota, we assessed the gut microbiota diversity. This study was based on the V3–V4 region of 16S rRNA and gut microbiota functions according to the metagenome analysis of fresh fecal samples in wild goitered gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa) and domestic sheep (Ovis aries) in the Qaidam Basin. The wild and domestic species showed significant differences in alpha- and beta-diversities. Specifically, the alpha-diversity was lower in goitered gazelles. We speculated that the nutritional and habitat status of the goitered gazelles were worse. The gut microbiota functions in the gazelles were enriched in metabolism and cellular processes based on the KEGG database. In summary, we reasoned that gut microbiota can improve the adaptability of goitered gazelles through energy maintenance by the functions of gut microbiota in the face of nutritional deficiencies. These findings highlight the importance of gut microbiota diversity to improve the adaptability of goitered gazelles, laying a foundation for the conservation of wild goitered gazelles. In addition, we further provide management suggestions for domestic sheep in co-inhabited grazing pastures.

Due to the increased economic demand for livestock, the number of livestock is increasing. Because of human interference, the survival of wild animals is threatened in the face of competition, particularly in co-inhabited grazing pastures. This may lead to differences in the adaptability between wild and domestic animals, as well as nutritional deficiencies in wild animals. The gut microbiota is closely associated with host health, nutrition, and adaptability. However, the gut microbiota diversity and functions in domestic and wild animals in co-inhabited areas are unclear. To reveal the adaptability of wild and domestic animals in co-inhabited areas based on gut microbiota, we assessed the gut microbiota diversity. This study was based on the V3–V4 region of 16S rRNA and gut microbiota functions according to the metagenome analysis of fresh fecal samples in wild goitered gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa) and domestic sheep (Ovis aries) in the Qaidam Basin. The wild and domestic species showed significant differences in alpha- and beta-diversities. Specifically, the alpha-diversity was lower in goitered gazelles. We speculated that the nutritional and habitat status of the goitered gazelles were worse. The gut microbiota functions in the gazelles were enriched in metabolism and cellular processes based on the KEGG database. In summary, we reasoned that gut microbiota can improve the adaptability of goitered gazelles through energy maintenance by the functions of gut microbiota in the face of nutritional deficiencies. These findings highlight the importance of gut microbiota diversity to improve the adaptability of goitered gazelles, laying a foundation for the conservation of wild goitered gazelles. In addition, we further provide management suggestions for domestic sheep in co-inhabited grazing pastures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relationships between individualization and the acoustics of contact calls in ungulate mother and young are different between taxa. We compared the acoustic variables and individuality of adult female and neonate goitred gazelles Gazella subgutturosa. Discriminant function analysis based on six acoustic variables of nasal (closed-mouth) contact calls similarly accurately classified calls to neonate and adult individuals in spite of the prominent differences in the acoustic resonances (formants) and the mean fundamental frequency of their calls. In addition, we found prominent differences in duration, mean fundamental frequency and frequencies of the first four formants between nasal and oral (open-mouth) contact calls within and between adult and neonate age-classes. We discuss the effects on the acoustics of call production mode (oral versus nasal) and the relationship of acoustic differences and individuality in mother and young contact calls across species of ruminants (Bovidae and Cervidae). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Adult females had conflicts mostly with sub-adult females and less with other adults females • Aggression in females was observed mostly during 1-2 weeks after giving birth with further declining • Expelling females from birthing grounds by mothers was the main cause an excessive aggression In contrast to males, which compete with other males for access to mates, females compete with each other for forage-rich sites, birthing grounds, comfortable resting places, and access to sources of water and salt licking locations. This behavior has been observed in many species. However, many agonistic interactions between females occur where resources are not immediately at stake, and the reasons for their rivalry are often unclear. Therefore in this paper, I want to analyze the main causes of female-female aggression in the yearly cycle of goitered gazelles. I found that adult females had conflicts moistly with sub-adult females and less with other adult females; and these behaviors were observed mainly in May, with less in June, and only a few cases displayed during the rest of the year. The months of May-June had the most abundant and highest quality forage of the year, when competition for resources would seem to be least expected. Struggles for resting places occurred throughout the entire year, with only some bias for May that did not represent a primary level of aggression. In reality, the high rate of female-female aggressive interactions was related to the protection of birthing grounds, where mothers isolated themselves to give births, establish a strong selective mother-young bonds, keep their hiding fawns separated from alien offspring (having initial problems with distant visual recognition), and protect them against disturbance from all other females, which can undermine a fawn's hidden status and make it more vulnerable to predation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iran with its highly structured landscape, such as the Zagros Mountain Range that stretches across the country from East to West, is home to at least three different gazelle species. For some of them, intraspecific genetic patterning is to be expected, as different populations show different pelage coloration or body sizes, e.g., in the Persian gazelle (G. subgutturosa). This species is especially interesting due to its taxonomic history, as it was considered to be conspecific with sand gazelle (G. marica) from Arabia until recently. G. marica and G. subgutturosa were even thought to intergrade/hybridize in a broad region from the Euphrates/Tigris basin to the Zagros Mountains. This area is inhabited by small gazelles that seem to be intermediate in size and other characters between the two species. However, so far all molecular studies showed that the mitochondrial haplotypes of gazelles in this supposed hybrid zone only belong to G. subgutturosa. We collected samples from four populations of Persian gazelles in Iran, in the eastern part of the Zagros Mountains. In two of these locations, we found mitochondrial haplotypes of G. marica , including one potentially pure natural population in Bushehr Province, and one reintroduced mixed population with G. marica and G. subgutturosa haplotypes in Khuzestan Province. It might therefore be possible that G. marica , which is phenomically most similar to G. subgutturosa , exits in Iran as a fourth gazelle species besides G. subgutturosa, G. bennettii , and G. arabica. We strongly recommend that future conservation management decisions, especially animal translocations, should be based on genetic analyses of the populations under consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different species of gazelles are among the most endangered mammals on the Asian steppes and occur in the central, southern and northwestern regions of Iran. The previous conservation efforts in this region have been incomplete due to confusion about the phylogenetic relationship among various populations. So that, different conservation programs such as ex-situ breeding and transfer of captive stocks to potential conservation units encountered the fundamental difficulties. This paper provides a phylogenetic study based on the analysis of Cytochrome b gene of mitochondrial DNA sequences in a number of individuals collected from the four wild island gazelles population (Kish, Kharg, Hormoz and Hengam) in the south of Iran which are applicable in phylogenetic studies and species identification for conservation. After comparing the obtained and retrieved sequences of Genbank in MEGA5 Software and then tracing a related phylogenetic tree, we found two different species in four islands. Therefore, from phylogenetic point of view, Kharg and Kish Islands’ populations belong to Iranian gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) and Hengam and Hormoz Islands’ populations are Jebeer or Indian gazelle (Gazella bennettii). Thus, for these two different species, separate conservation programs should be taken to manage populations of these regions and to prevent the exchange gazelles between these Islands.

Highlights • Every type of risk assessment had a specific use based on the sort of suspicious object. • Adult females displayed threat assessment most often compared to other sex and age groups. • Sub-adults and fawns displayed risk assessment behavior less often than adults. • Disparity between sexes and ages were related to different antipredator strategies. Abstract In predator-prey encounters, risk assessment and threat identification are particularly important aspects in the prey's decision in how, when and where to escape. Previous studies devoted to this topic investigated mostly factors influencing risk perception by a prey animal and on its decision when to flee; however, information on the diversity of risk assessment displays is still very limited. Therefore in this paper, I considered various display types of risk assessments and the circumstances under which they were performed. I found that the contagious effect of alarm behavior among conspecifics and the investigative approach toward the threat were the types of risk assessment found most often, while mobbing was observed least often. Every type of risk assessment had a specific usage according to the sort of suspicious object and the prey's display circumstances. Adult females with few exceptions demonstrated threat assessment behavior most often, while adult males displayed assessment behavior less frequently; in all cases, sub-adults and fawns showed these patterns significantly less often than adults. Antipredator strategy of adult females likely differed from males. Adult females had the highest response and sensitivity to any kind of potential threat and a high rate of vigilance, including risk assessment, likely related to the responsibility of rearing young. In contrast, adult males were busy mostly with social vigilance and monitored conspecifics more than predators. Adolescents and fawns showed the lowest rate of risk assessment, most likely because information on the potential risk of threat was not as useful to them since they did not have enough experience to recognize and avoid predators; instead of relying on their own experience, younger animals followed and repeated the behaviors of adults. As a result, young of many ungulate species typically have the highest losses from predation and adult females the lowest, with adult male deaths in between. This regularity was also likely true for the risk assessment behaviors of goitered gazelles in my study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goitered gazelle, Gazella subgutturosa, is a medium-sized ungulate inhabiting arid and semi-arid regions in the Middle East and central Asia. The intraspecific classification of the species remains unclear. We analysed the genetic diversity in mitochondrial DNA control region (CR) sequences (976 bp) from 104 wild samples from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in north-west China, and reconstructed phylogeny with additional sequences from across the species’ range. We detected 58 haplotypes in XUAR populations, all but three of which were specific to single sampling sites. The phylogenetic analysis displayed two obvious clades of mtDNA haplotypes and the other haplotypes differed from the two clades. A median-joining network showed three groups of haplotypes were to a high extent concordant with the phylogenetic tree. The haplotype clustering was consistent with their geographic distribution. Nei’s net sequence divergences amongst the three groups ranged from 0.010 to 0.018 and indicated three subspecies, two of which inhabit XUAR. We detected strong differentiation between northern (NX) and southern (SX) XUAR populations overall (FST = 0.4448, P < 0.001), but the Mantel test showed no correlation between the genetic distance and geographic distance. Our results indicate that the NX and SX populations represent different subspecies that might be managed separately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aimed to assess the sequence diversity of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class-II DRB gene at exon 2 in gazelles raised in Sanliurfa Province of Turkey. Twenty DNA samples isolated from gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa) were used for sequencing exon 2 of MHC class-II DRB gene. Target region was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and their products were directly sequenced. Nine of these 20 samples yielded unambiguously readable sequences. Three of the nine samples were homozygotes and each showed different sequences. A 262-bp sequence obtained from the three homozygote samples were submitted to GenBank (accession numbers: KC309405, KC309406 and KC309407). Using an allele specific PCR, we detected 10 additional haplotypes. Among 13 haplotypes, 45 nucleotide positions were polymorphic and most of the polymorphic nucleotide positions localized at peptide-binding region (PBR). Rates of nonsynonymous substitutions were significantly higher than synonymous substitutions at PBR. Phylogenetic analysis of the haplotypes showed that 10 haplotypes of the gazelles were clustered together while three were clustered with ovine and bovine haplotypes. The results indicated that at least 13 haplotypes at exon 2 of MHC class-II DRB gene were showing high degree of nucleotide and amino acid diversity, and certain haplotypes of G. subgutturosa were more similar to haplotypes from sheep or cattle than to each other. Rates of synonymous and nonsynonymous substitutions suggested that positive selection was a driving force for diversity at this locus in G. subgutturosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tail signals and rump patch exposure in ungulates are well-documented phenomena, but there is no consensus about their functional significance, which has remained disputed. In addition, these patterns have been analyzed for only a limited number of ungulate species; and until now did not include goitered gazelles. This paper, then, will discuss these aspects of goitered gazelle antipredator behavior. I chose human harassments as predator threats and found that tail-flagging, stotting and presentation of the white rump-patch were displayed mostly by adult females, less often by adult males, and least in sub-adults. Adult females used tail-flagging and rump-patch exposure primarily for communication with their fawns especially frequently in July when fawns finished their hiding period. In August, adult females further strengthened their alarm signals by frequent stotting. Unlike females, adult males displayed tail- flagging and stotting quite randomly over months, likely depending on frequencies of encountered threats. However, females and males both displayed tail-flagging significantly more frequently than stotting (with a few exceptions) suggesting that tail-flagging has an independent communicative function, even if one signal amplifies the other. Goitered gazelles used tail-flagging and white rump-patch exposure likely as an alarm and cohesive signal for conspecifics, and adult females communicated by these signals mostly with their fawns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the clinical findings, treatment results, and gross pathology of Trueperella pyogenes-associated interdigital necrobacillosis in captive goitered gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa). Four male and two female gazelles presented with weight loss, front limb swelling, and persistent lameness despite antibiotic treatment. The animals were reluctant to bear weight on the affected limbs, and the diagnosis of interdigital necrobacillosis was made based on physical exam, bacteriologic evaluation, and radiographic imaging. In all cases, the interdigital skin and subcutaneous tissues were affected in both forelimbs. Exungulation (loss of the hoof) occurred in one female gazelle. Despite aggressive topical and systemic treatment, the two female gazelles died. Gross pathology detected abscesses in the heart, lung, and liver. T. pyogenes was isolated as the major pathogen. This is the first report of interdigital necrobacillosis caused by T. pyogenes in Gazella subgutturosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mongolia's Gobi Desert ecosystem, a stronghold for populations of the Asiatic wild ass (khulan) Equus hemionus and the goitered gazelle Gazella subgutturosa, faces conservation challenges as a result of rapid economic development, including mining-related infrastructure projects. There is a paucity of reliable data on population abundance for these ungulates in the region, which makes it difficult to assess how they are responding to increasing anthropogenic pressure. Our aim was to obtain abundance estimates for khulan and goitered gazelles to inform their management and form the basis of a long-term monitoring programme. Each year during 2012–2015 we surveyed a total of 64 line transects spaced 20 km apart, with a total of 3,464 km of survey effort across 78,717 km2. Distance sampling analysis provided annual estimates of density and abundance, which were cross-referenced with the results of an aerial survey conducted in 2013. Overall, we observed 784 groups (14,608 individuals) of khulan and 1,033 groups (3,955 individuals) of goitered gazelles during the four surveys. The abundance estimates for 2013 were 35,899 (95% CI 22,680–40,537) khulan and 28,462 (95% CI 21,326–37,987) goitered gazelles. These estimates were congruent with the results from the aerial survey, which overlapped spatially and temporally with our ground-based survey. Our findings confirm that Mongolia's Gobi Desert supports the largest population of khulan and goitered gazelles in the world, and we provide a critical update on the status of the two species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mother-young recognition process is crucial for the growth and survival of progeny. In “follower” ungulate species, vocal and visual cues have been found to play a leading role in the mother-young identification process from the first days postpartum, with olfactory cues also important in establishing the initial selective mother-young bond immediately after birth. In “hider” species, however, much less has been documented of mother-young recognition behaviors, especially in their natural habitat. In this paper, we investigated this process in goitered gazelle ( Gazella subgutturosa ), a typical hider species, in its native environment in Kazakhstan. Over the course of our study period, we investigated the behaviors of 257 females with twins and 158 females with singles through visual observations. We found that within the first month after birth, when females spend only a short time with their young, mothers recognized their fawns using mostly olfactory cues, while vision was used to locate their hiding offspring. Fawns vocalized very rarely, producing only distress calls that did not seem intended for individual identification. Licking of young by their mothers was observed frequently, not only during the first week after birth, when this action was very important for fawn stimulation for a number of physiological functions, but for several weeks after (until one month of age), when licking lost its physiological importance and likely became more of a recognition procedure. Fawns did not recognize their mothers at all, either through vision or vocalizations, since during their first weeks after birth, they responded to any gazelle that approached their hiding area. By a month after birth, when mothers and fawns began to stay together for longer periods of time, their recognition process became more enhanced, and in addition to olfactory cues, the mother and her young began to use more and more visual cues for longer distance identification, as well as vocalizations for shorter distances. Similar dynamics are likely typical for most hiding species, although information for wild ungulates is still very limited, especially for those with strong hider behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of roads through protected areas and ecological sensitive regions can have catastrophic effects on wildlife. In Iran, road construction in sensitive habitats and protected areas has been expanding during the past decades. This study focuses on the ecological impacts of Isfahan’s west ringway, which passes through Ghamishloo wildlife refuge, I.U.C.N category IV, in Isfahan Province. The key affected species of the study area goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa subgutterosa), was considered for impact analysis. We used HEP (Habitat Evaluation Procedure) as a habitat-based impact assessment methodology which considers habitat quality and quantity. Habitat quality was measured as habitat suitability index for the species. By literature review and field observations (293 presence points), five effective variables in habitat suitability including vegetation cover, slope, elevation, distance to water and distance to road were identified, and habitat units (HUs) were derived from multiplying the HSI for goitered gazelle by the species habitat area at two times (before and after road construction). The results showed that due to the presence of the ringway, 7710 HUs for goitered gazelle have been lost. In addition, we used landscape ecology approach for quantifying landscape pattern change due to road construction and landscape metrics including NP (Number of Patches), MNN (Mean Nearest Neighbor) and CONTAG (Contagion). Our results provided quantitative data on habitat loss and landscape fragmentation in Ghamishloo wildlife refuge and indicated negative impacts of the ringway on goitered gazelle populations by restricting their movement between habitat patches in this region, which presents a concern for the conservation of this vulnerable species.

The chromosomes of goitered gazelle, Gazella subgutturosa, in Turkey were karyotyped on the basis of two female specimens. Bothspecimens have 2n = 30 with NF = 60 and NFa = 56. All chromosomes are biarmed. The two female specimens of Turkish G. subgutturosa have a smaller diploid chromosome number compared to those of two males previously reported. This chromosomal variation in Turkish G. subgutturosa may be important for its conservation biology.

The Southern Gobi of Mongolia is an iconic ungulate stronghold that supports the world's largest populations of Asiatic wild ass (or khulan – Equus hemionus ) and goitered gazelle ( Gazella subgutturosa ). A growing human population, intensifying exploitation of natural resources, and the development of infrastructure in the region place increasing pressure on these species and their habitats. During 2012–2015, we studied factors influencing the distribution of these two ungulate species in the Southern Gobi to better inform management. We built Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) to predict the location of suitable habitat for the two species using environmental and human-associated factors. These models were validated using independent telemetry data for each species. The GLMMs suggest that the probability of ungulate presence decreased with increasing human influence and increased in areas with intermediate values of elevation and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (except for goitered gazelle). Notably, human-associated factors were more important than environmental variables in explaining the distribution of the two species. Habitat models predicted between 45 and 55% of the study area to be suitable for khulan and between 50 and 55% suitable for goitered gazelles during 2012–2015. Models for both species had good predictive power, as nearly 90% of khulan and 100% of goitered gazelle telemetry locations from separate data sets were found within the predicted preferred areas. Our approach quantifies the key drivers of their distribution and our findings are useful for policy makers, managers, and industry to plan mitigation measures to reduce the impacts of development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine birth weights, body measurements, and phenotypic correlations in order to characterize the gazelle population raised in Şanlıurfa Province, Turkey. For this purpose, body measurements of 93 adult gazelles (54 ♀, 39 ♂) and 41 young gazelles (17 ♀, 24 ♂) were carried out, and correlations between the measurements were calculated. Additionally, birth weights of 47 newborn gazelle calves (22 ♀, 25 ♂) were determined. Mean body weights of adult and young females and males were 13.86 ± 0.76 kg and 19.39 ± 0.92 kg (P < 0.001) and 8.83 ± 0.14 kg and 10.74 ± 0.17 kg (P < 0.01), respectively. In all groups highly positive correlations between body weight and chest circumference were detected. Birth weights of female and male newborn calves were found to be 1.84 ± 0.02 kg and 1.95 ± 0.04 kg, respectively. Differences in birth weights of female and male newborn calves were not statistically significant. The results indicated that the gazelles reared in Turkey were similar to both G. s. subgutturosa and G. s. marica. In order to develop an efficient conservation program, further genetic studies are required for determining the taxonomical status of the gazelle population studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective management and conservation of wildlife populations and their habitats depend on understanding and predicting species-habitat interaction. The distribution of Persian gazelles, which is related to habitat structure and dispersal of food resources, has been studied by clearance transect pellet group counts during different seasons. This study of habitat use was conducted by recording pellet groups along 20 permanent 3 m × 210 m transects in five vegetation types in the steppe habitat of Golestan National Park. Pellet groups were counted and cleared every two months over one year. Habitat use differed between seasons and vegetation types. Types I and II which featured diversified plant species, higher forage quality, and were adjacent to agricultural fields were used the most in all seasons and especially in fall and winter. Vegetation types III and IV with higher forage production, canopy cover, and vegetation density showed the lowest rate of use among all seasons. This could be due to the high protein content forage favoured by gazelles. The minimal model using multiple regression analysis showed a number of plant species were the indicative variable in gazelle habitats during each season. Positive relationship was detected between pellet group density and canopy cover of annual forbs and grasses in spring, withAelleniasp in summer, and withSalsola rigidain fall and winter. This indicated higher use of types I and II throughout the year. The pellet group density of gazelles was negatively correlated with canopy cover ofStipa barbataandPoa bulbosain all seasons, which indicated lower use of vegetation types III and IV. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]