The Experts below are selected from a list of 441 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Zhensheng Liu - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Seasonal Variation and Sexual Dimorphism of the Microbiota in Wild Blue Sheep (Pseudois Nayaur).
Frontiers in microbiology, 2020Co-Authors: Zhaoling Zhu, Liwei Teng, Zhensheng Liu, Yewen Sun, Feng Zhu, Ruliang Pan, Songtao GuoAbstract:Microbiota of the wild blue sheep (Pseudois Nayaur) presents a seasonal variation due to different dietary selection and feeding strategies from different ecological niches chosen by different sex in summer. To address those issues, we analyzed the variation of gut microbiota based on the material from the feces, with 16S rRNA and meta-genome aimed to explore seasonal and gender differences. The results indicate that seasonal dietary changes and gender differentiation, as expected, cause the variation in sheep's gut microbiota structure. The variation of the former is more significant than the latter. Dominant Firmicutes exists a significantly higher abundance in summer than that in winter. Subordinate Bacteroides expresses no seasonal difference between the two seasons. Compared with the winter group, the summer group is featured by abundant enzymes digesting cellulose and generating short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as beta-glucosidase (EC: 3.2.1.21) for cellulose digestion, and butyrate kinase (EC:2.7.2.7) in butyrate metabolism, implying that the changes of the composition in intestinal flora allow the sheep to adapt to the seasonalized dietary selection through alternated microbial functions to reach the goal of facilitating the efficiency of energy harvesting. The results also show that the blue sheep expresses a prominent sexual dimorphism in the components of gut microbiota, indicating that the two sexes have different adaptations to the dietary selection, and demands for physical and psychological purposes. Thus, this study provides an example of demonstrating the principles and regulations of natural selection and environmental adaptation.
-
Taxonomic status of Chinese blue sheep (Pseudois Nayaur): new evidence of a distinct subspecies.
Integrative zoology, 2020Co-Authors: Hui Gao, Yongjie Huang, Fujie Qiao, Zhenghuan Wang, Liwei Teng, Zhensheng LiuAbstract:The blue sheep is an endemic species to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and surrounding regions. It has been regarded as having 2 subspecies: Pseudois Nayaur Nayaur and P. n. szechuanensis. However, such a classification remains controversial. Herein, we analyze 10 microsatellite loci and part of the mitochondrial control region for clarification in such taxonomic debates. We use samples from 168 individuals from 6 geographic populations covering almost all the distribution areas of the species in China to carry out comparisons. Phylogenetic trees derived from both the microsatellite and mitochondrial markers combined with the discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) and the STRUCTURE analysis reveal that the individuals in the Helan Mountains are well grouped with a distinct evolutionary lineage and are significantly different from the other populations of P. n. szechuanensis according to Fst values, implying that this isolated population should be categorized as a valid subspecies; namely, Pseudois Nayaur alashanicus. The isolation-by-distance (IBD) analysis shows a significant positive relationship between genetic and geographical distances among the populations.
-
A detection of benzimidazole resistance-associated SNPs in the isotype-1 β-tubulin gene in Haemonchus contortus from wild blue sheep (Pseudois Nayaur) sympatric with sheep in Helan Mountains, China
BMC, 2019Co-Authors: Dong-dong Shen, Zhi-wei Peng, Zhijun Hou, Zong-ze Zhang, Zhensheng LiuAbstract:Abstract Background Benzimidazole (BZ) resistance is an increasingly serious problem due to the excessive use of this anthelmintic for controlling Haemonchus contortus, which is one of the major gastrointestinal nematodes infecting small ruminants worldwide. Three known single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), F167Y (TAC), E198A (GCA) and F200Y (TAC), in the isotype-1 β-tubulin gene of H. contortus are associated with BZ resistance. Comprehending the spread and origins of BZ resistance-associated SNPs has important implications for the control of this nematode. Results Twenty-seven adult H. contortus were harvested from wild blue sheep (Pseudois Nayaur), small wild ruminants sympatric with domestic ruminants, inhabiting the Helan Mountains, China, to monitor the status of BZ resistance. In addition, 20 adult H. contortus from domestic sheep sympatric with this wild ruminant and 36 isotype-1 β-tubulin haplotype sequences of H. contortus (two of these haplotypes, E198A3 and E198A4, possessed resistance-associated SNP E198A (GCA) from domestic ruminants in eight other geographical regions of China were used to further define the origins of BZ resistance-associated SNPs within the worms collected from blue sheep. The BZ resistance-associated SNP E198A was detected, whereas SNPs F167Y (TAC) and F200Y (TAC) were not found within the worms collected from blue sheep, and the frequency of homozygous resistant E198A (GCA) was 7.40%. The evolutionary tree and network showed consistent topologies for which there was no obvious boundary among the worms from the wild and domestic hosts, and two haplotypes (E198A1 and E198A2) possessing E198A from the wild blue sheep had two different independent origins. E198A1 had the same origin with E198A3 but E198A2 had a different origin with them. Population genetic analyses revealed a low level of Fst values (ranging from 0 to 0.19749) between all H. contortus worm groups in China. Conclusions Results of the current study of the three BZ resistance-associated SNPs of H. contortus from wild blue sheep suggested that only E198A (GCA) was present within the worms collected from the wild ruminants and had multiple independent origins
-
Comparative analysis of winter diets and habitat use by the sympatric blue sheep (Pseudois Nayaur) and Alashan red deer (Cervus alashanicus) in the Helan Mountains, China
Folia Zoologica, 2018Co-Authors: Zhensheng Liu, Hui Gao, Zhaoling Zhu, Chang Zhao, Yujiao Sun, Liwei TengAbstract:Abstract. Research that elucidates the differences in the habitat use and diet of sympatric species is essential and meaningful for protection strategies. The habitat use and diet composition of blue sheep (Pseudois Nayaur) and Alashan red deer (Cervus alashanicus) in the Helan Mountains, China, were examined from November 2013 to February 2015. Despite the partial overlap in habitat, the habitat used by blue sheep and Alashan red deer were significantly different. Blue sheep preferred mountain woodland steppe with high degree of slope at farther distances from water resources and bare rock. Alashan red deer selected winter habitat in moutain grassland with flat slopes, closer water resources, further distances to human disturbances and bare rock. The diet of blue sheep was significantly different from that of Alashan red deer regarding the proportions of the forage categories. Blue sheep grazed primarily on shrubs (36.7 %) and grass (23.1 %), while the diet of Alashan red deer was dominated by shrubs (43...
-
Genetic diversity of Haemonchus contortus isolated from sympatric wild blue sheep (Pseudois Nayaur) and sheep in Helan Mountains, China.
Parasites & vectors, 2017Co-Authors: Dong-dong Shen, Jifei Wang, Danyu Zhang, Zhi-wei Peng, Tian-yun Yang, Zhao-ding Wang, Dwight D. Bowman, Zhijun Hou, Zhensheng LiuAbstract:Haemonchus contortus is known among parasitic nematodes as one of the major veterinary pathogens of small ruminants and results in great economic losses worldwide. Human activities, such as the sympatric grazing of wild with domestic animals, may place susceptible wildlife hosts at risk of increased prevalence and infection intensity with this common small ruminant parasite. Studies on phylogenetic factors of H. contortus should assist in defining the amount of the impact of anthropogenic factors on the extent of sharing of agents such as this nematode between domestic animals and wildlife. H. contortus specimens (n = 57) were isolated from wild blue sheep (Pseudois Nayaur) inhabiting Helan Mountains (HM), China and additional H. contortus specimens (n = 20) were isolated from domestic sheep that were grazed near the natural habitat of the blue sheep. Complete ITS2 (second internal transcribed spacer) sequences and partial sequences of the nad4 (nicotinamide dehydrogenase subunit 4 gene) gene were amplified to determine the sequence variations and population genetic diversities between these two populations. Also, 142 nad4 haplotype sequences of H. contortus from seven other geographical regions of China were retrieved from database to further examine the H. contortus population structure. Sequence analysis revealed 10 genotypes (ITS2) and 73 haplotypes (nad4) among the 77 specimens, with nucleotide diversities of 0.007 and 0.021, respectively, similar to previous studies in other countries, such as Pakistan, Malaysia and Yemen. Phylogenetic analyses (BI, MP, NJ) of nad4 sequences showed that there were no noticeable boundaries among H. contortus populations from different geographical origin and population genetic analyses revealed that most of the variation (94.21%) occurred within H. contortus populations. All phylogenetic analyses indicated that there was little genetic differentiation but a high degree of gene flow among the H. contortus populations among wild blue sheep and domestic ruminants in China. The current work is the first genetic characterization of H. contortus isolated from wild blue sheep in the Helan Mountains region. The results revealed a low genetic differentiation and high degree of gene flow between the H. contortus populations from sympatric wild blue sheep and domestic sheep, indicating regular cross-infection between the sympatrically reared ruminants.
Litao Song - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
mlva genotyping of brucella melitensis and brucella abortus isolates from different animal species and humans and identification of brucella suis vaccine strain s2 from cattle in china
PLOS ONE, 2013Co-Authors: Hai Jiang, Heng Wang, Pei Xiao, Guozhong Tian, Liqing Xu, Guiying Hu, Dongdong Di, Jingchuan Mi, Ruiping Yu, Litao SongAbstract:In China, brucellosis is an endemic disease and the main sources of brucellosis in animals and humans are infected sheep, cattle and swine. Brucella melitensis (biovars 1 and 3) is the predominant species, associated with sporadic cases and outbreak in humans. Isolates of B. abortus, primarily biovars 1 and 3, and B. suis biovars 1 and 3 are also associated with sporadic human brucellosis. In this study, the genetic profiles of B. melitensis and B. abortus isolates from humans and animals were analyzed and compared by multi-locus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA). Among the B. melitensis isolates, the majority (74/82) belonged to MLVA8 genotype 42, clustering in the ‘East Mediterranean’ group. Two B. melitensis biovar 1 genotype 47 isolates, belonging to the ‘Americas’ group, were recovered; both were from the Himalayan blue sheep (Pseudois Nayaur, a wild animal). The majority of B. abortus isolates (51/70) were biovar 3, genotype 36. Ten B. suis biovar 1 field isolates, including seven outbreak isolates recovered from a cattle farm in Inner Mongolia, were genetically indistinguishable from the vaccine strain S2, based on MLVA cluster analysis. MLVA analysis provided important information for epidemiological trace-back. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to associate Brucella cross-infection with the vaccine strain S2 based on molecular comparison of recovered isolates to the vaccine strain. MLVA typing could be an essential assay to improve brucellosis surveillance and control programs.
David Raubenheimer - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Is trophy hunting of bharal (blue sheep) and Himalayan tahr contributing to their conservation in Nepal
Hystrix-italian Journal of Mammalogy, 2015Co-Authors: Achyut Aryal, Maheshwar Dhakal, Saroj Panthi, Roberta Bencini, Bhupendra Prasad Yadav, Uttam Babu Shrestha, David RaubenheimerAbstract:Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (DHR), the only hunting reserve in Nepal, is famous for trophy hunting of bharal or ‘blue sheep’ ( Pseudois Nayaur ) and Himalayan tahr ( Hemitragus jemlahicus ). Although trophy hunting has been occurring in DHR since 1987, its ecological consequences are poorly known. We assessed the ecological consequences of bharal and Himalayan tahr hunting in DHR, and estimated the economic contribution of hunting to the government and local communities based on the revenue data. The bharal population increased significantly from 1990 to 2011, but the sex ratio became skewed from male-biased (129 Male:100 Female) in 1990 to female-biased (82 Male:100 Female) in 2011. Similarly, a recent survey of Himalayan tahr showed that there was a total population of 285 tahr with a sex ratio of 60 Male: 100 Female. Bharal and Himalayan tahr trophy hunting has generated economic benefits through generation of local employment and direct income of $364072 during the last five years. Government revenue collected from 2007-08 to 2011-12 totalled $184372. Male-focused trophy hunting as practiced in DHR may not be an ecologically sustainable practice, because its effect on the sex ratio that lead to negative consequences for the genetic structure of the population in the long term. Therefore, the population dynamics and sex ratios of the bharal and tahr must be considered while setting harvest quotas. Download the complete issue.
-
Habitat selection and feeding ecology of dhole (Cuon alpinus) in the Himalayas
Journal of Mammalogy, 2015Co-Authors: Achyut Aryal, Saroj Panthi, Rosemary K. Barraclough, Roberta Bencini, Bikash Adhikari, David RaubenheimerAbstract:The Asiatic wild dog or dhole (Cuon alpinus) is an endangered, yet little-studied, species throughout its range in Nepal. We examined habitat selection and diet of the dholes by searching for dholes in the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (DHR), the only hunting reserve in Nepal, and developed a habitat selection model to determine their habitat preferences. We also collected anecdotal data on depredation events and attitudes toward the dholes from 89 local people. We collected each dhole scat encountered and conducted dietary analysis to calculate the percent frequency of occurrence of each prey item and to estimate the biomass consumed by dholes in the study area. The dholes used most habitat types and targeted a wide range of prey species and sizes, but avoided barren land, Juniperus spp. — and Abies spp.—dominated forests, and habitat under anthropogenic pressure. Eighty percent of the dhole's diet was represented by wild prey species; blue sheep (Pseudois Nayaur) comprised 13.9% and livestock comprised 20% ...
-
Blue sheep in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal: habitat use, population biomass and their contribution to the carrying capacity of snow leopards.
Integrative zoology, 2014Co-Authors: Achyut Aryal, Dianne H. Brunton, David RaubenheimerAbstract:The Himalaya region of Nepal provides a habitat for the endangered snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and its principal prey species, the blue sheep (Pseudois Nayaur). The aim of this study was to describe the habitat, the distribution and the population structure of blue sheep, and to estimate their contribution to the carrying capacity of snow leopard in the upper Mustang region of Nepal. Blue sheep were recorded at altitudes from 3209-5498 m on slopes with gradients of 16-60° and aspects of 40°NE to 140°SE. A total of 939 blue sheep were counted in the upper Mustang region, and 98 were counted in the Yak Kharka region of Manang district; however, upper Mustang had the lowest population density of blue sheep recorded within their distribution range in Nepal (0.86 blue sheep/km(2)). The results of the study show that a higher density of blue sheep is associated with greater plant species diversity. The most important species present in the blue sheep habitat were Kobresia pygmaea, Artemesia spp., Lonicera spp., Lancea tibetica, Poa spp., Astragalus spp. and Ephedra gerardiana. It is estimated that the existing blue sheep population biomass of approximately 38 925 kg in the upper Mustang region could support approximately 19 snow leopards (1.6 snow leopards/100 km(2)).
-
Habitat assessment for the translocation of blue sheep to maintain a viable snow leopard population in the Mt Everest Region, Nepal
Zoology and Ecology, 2013Co-Authors: Achyut Aryal, Dianne H. Brunton, David RaubenheimerAbstract:Blue sheep (Pseudois Nayaur) are the key prey of the endangered snow leopard (Panthera uncia) in the Himalayan region of Nepal. However, the snow leopard population has recently expanded back into the Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) National Park where the blue sheep are currently absent, and the evidence of snow leopard depredation of livestock can be found. A solution to this prospective human–wildlife conflict is the translocation of blue sheep back into this area. The aims of this study are (1) to characterize the spatial and environmental factors related to current blue sheep distributions in three areas: Annapurna Conservation Area, Shey Phoksundo National Park and Kanchanjunga Conservation Area, and (2) to use these characteristics to assess the suitability of two areas: Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) National Park and Langtang National Park for blue sheep translocation. Blue sheep were found to occur in 14,603 km2 of Nepal, with 7343 km2 (49%) inside protected areas. Blue sheep preferred the alpine meadow, pas...
Herbert H. T. Prins - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Multi-spatial co-distribution of the endangered Ladakh urial and blue sheep in the arid Trans-Himalayan mountains
Journal of Arid Environments, 2010Co-Authors: Tsewang Namgail, Charudutt Mishra, S.e. Van Wieren, Herbert H. T. PrinsAbstract:Abstract Large wild herbivores are important ecologically and economically, and maintaining their populations is a crucial management concern. The Ladakh urial Ovis vignei vignei is an endemic and endangered wild sheep inhabiting the arid Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh, where its population is restricted to narrow tracts along two river valleys. The causes of this restricted distribution of the species are not understood. We asked if competitive exclusion by the more abundant wild ungulate, the blue sheep Pseudois Nayaur , could explain the limited range of Ladakh urial. To explore this possibility we studied the occurrence patterns of these two species at multi-spatial scales (regional, landscape and habitat). We found that they occurred independently at the regional scale, but co-occurred at the landscape scale, facilitated by divergence in seasonal resource use at the habitat scale. Although the two species segregated along both habitat and diet axes during summer at the habitat scale, there is a high potential for competition during winter, the ‘pinch’ period, when they overlap in their habitat use due to altitudinal migration. Therefore, the presence of blue sheep seems to limit the population growth and range expansion of the Ladakh urial.
-
Competition between domestic livestock and wild bharal Pseudois Nayaur in the Indian Trans-Himalaya
Journal of Applied Ecology, 2004Co-Authors: C. Mishra, Sipke E. Van Wieren, Pieter Ketner, Ignas M. A. Heitkönig, Herbert H. T. PrinsAbstract:1. The issue of competition between livestock and wild herbivores has remained contentious. We studied the diets and population structures of the mountain ungulate bharal Pseudois Nayaur and seven species of livestock to evaluate whether or not they compete for forage. The study was conducted in the high altitude Spiti Valley, Indian Trans-Himalaya. 2. We compared resource (forage) availability and bharal population structures between rangelands differing in livestock density. Forage availability was estimated by clipping the standing graminoid biomass in sample plots. Livestock and bharal population structures were quantified through annual censuses. Seasonal diets of livestock were studied by direct observations, while those of bharal were quantified through feeding signs on vegetation. 3. We found that livestock grazing causes a significant reduction in the standing crop of forage. Graminoid availability per unit livestock biomass was three times greater in a moderately grazed rangeland compared with an intensively grazed one. 4. There was considerable diet overlap among the herbivore species. In summer, bharal, yak Bos grunniens, horse Equus caballus, cow Bos indicus, and dzomo (yak-cow hybrids) fed predominantly on graminoids, while donkey E. asinus, sheep Ovis aries, and goat Capra hircus, consumed both graminoids and herbs. The summer diet of bharal was a subset of the diets of three livestock species. In winter, depleted graminoid availability caused bharal, yak and horse to consume relatively more herbs, while the remaining livestock species fed predominantly on graminoids. Diet overlap was less in winter but, in both seasons, all important forage species in the bharal diet were consumed in substantial amounts by one or more species of livestock. 5. Comparison of the population structures of bharal between two rangelands differing in livestock density by c. 30% yielded evidence of resource competition. In the intensively grazed rangeland, bharal density was 63% lower, and bharal population showed poorer performance (lower young : adult female ratios). 6. Synthesis and applications. High diet overlap between livestock and bharal, together with density-dependent forage limitation, results in resource competition and a decline in bharal density. Under the present conditions of high livestock density and supplemental feeding, restricting livestock numbers and creating livestock-free areas are necessary measures for conserving Trans-Himalayan wild herbivores. Mediating competitive effects on bharal through supplemental feeding is not a feasible option.
Achyut Aryal - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Local attitudes to the proposed translocation of blue sheep Pseudois Nayaur to Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal
Oryx, 2018Co-Authors: Jonathan H. Hanson, Maurice Schutgens, Rinzin Phunjok Lama, Achyut Aryal, Maheshwar DhakalAbstract:AbstractTranslocations are an important tool for the conservation of biodiversity, but although ecological feasibility studies are frequently conducted prior to implementation, social feasibility studies that consider how local communities perceive such projects are less common. The translocation of blue sheep Pseudois Nayaur to Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal, has been proposed, to reduce livestock depredation by snow leopards Panthera uncia by providing an alternative prey base in addition to the small population of Himalayan thar Hemitragus jemlahicus. This study used systematic sampling, a quantitative questionnaire and qualitative interviews within the Park to provide data on the social viability of the proposed translocation. Quantitative analysis revealed moderate levels of support but qualitative analysis suggested that there are significant concerns about the proposal. In addition, multiple regression analysis found that women and livestock owners were significantly less supportive, although the model had low explanatory power. Potential crop damage and competition for forage were frequently cited as concerns, especially amongst those with a high level of dependence on natural resources. Given the mixed response to the proposed translocation of blue sheep to the Everest region, alleviating the reservations of local residents is likely to be key to any further consultation, planning or implementation.
-
Is trophy hunting of bharal (blue sheep) and Himalayan tahr contributing to their conservation in Nepal
Hystrix-italian Journal of Mammalogy, 2015Co-Authors: Achyut Aryal, Maheshwar Dhakal, Saroj Panthi, Roberta Bencini, Bhupendra Prasad Yadav, Uttam Babu Shrestha, David RaubenheimerAbstract:Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (DHR), the only hunting reserve in Nepal, is famous for trophy hunting of bharal or ‘blue sheep’ ( Pseudois Nayaur ) and Himalayan tahr ( Hemitragus jemlahicus ). Although trophy hunting has been occurring in DHR since 1987, its ecological consequences are poorly known. We assessed the ecological consequences of bharal and Himalayan tahr hunting in DHR, and estimated the economic contribution of hunting to the government and local communities based on the revenue data. The bharal population increased significantly from 1990 to 2011, but the sex ratio became skewed from male-biased (129 Male:100 Female) in 1990 to female-biased (82 Male:100 Female) in 2011. Similarly, a recent survey of Himalayan tahr showed that there was a total population of 285 tahr with a sex ratio of 60 Male: 100 Female. Bharal and Himalayan tahr trophy hunting has generated economic benefits through generation of local employment and direct income of $364072 during the last five years. Government revenue collected from 2007-08 to 2011-12 totalled $184372. Male-focused trophy hunting as practiced in DHR may not be an ecologically sustainable practice, because its effect on the sex ratio that lead to negative consequences for the genetic structure of the population in the long term. Therefore, the population dynamics and sex ratios of the bharal and tahr must be considered while setting harvest quotas. Download the complete issue.
-
Habitat selection and feeding ecology of dhole (Cuon alpinus) in the Himalayas
Journal of Mammalogy, 2015Co-Authors: Achyut Aryal, Saroj Panthi, Rosemary K. Barraclough, Roberta Bencini, Bikash Adhikari, David RaubenheimerAbstract:The Asiatic wild dog or dhole (Cuon alpinus) is an endangered, yet little-studied, species throughout its range in Nepal. We examined habitat selection and diet of the dholes by searching for dholes in the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (DHR), the only hunting reserve in Nepal, and developed a habitat selection model to determine their habitat preferences. We also collected anecdotal data on depredation events and attitudes toward the dholes from 89 local people. We collected each dhole scat encountered and conducted dietary analysis to calculate the percent frequency of occurrence of each prey item and to estimate the biomass consumed by dholes in the study area. The dholes used most habitat types and targeted a wide range of prey species and sizes, but avoided barren land, Juniperus spp. — and Abies spp.—dominated forests, and habitat under anthropogenic pressure. Eighty percent of the dhole's diet was represented by wild prey species; blue sheep (Pseudois Nayaur) comprised 13.9% and livestock comprised 20% ...
-
Blue sheep in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal: habitat use, population biomass and their contribution to the carrying capacity of snow leopards.
Integrative zoology, 2014Co-Authors: Achyut Aryal, Dianne H. Brunton, David RaubenheimerAbstract:The Himalaya region of Nepal provides a habitat for the endangered snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and its principal prey species, the blue sheep (Pseudois Nayaur). The aim of this study was to describe the habitat, the distribution and the population structure of blue sheep, and to estimate their contribution to the carrying capacity of snow leopard in the upper Mustang region of Nepal. Blue sheep were recorded at altitudes from 3209-5498 m on slopes with gradients of 16-60° and aspects of 40°NE to 140°SE. A total of 939 blue sheep were counted in the upper Mustang region, and 98 were counted in the Yak Kharka region of Manang district; however, upper Mustang had the lowest population density of blue sheep recorded within their distribution range in Nepal (0.86 blue sheep/km(2)). The results of the study show that a higher density of blue sheep is associated with greater plant species diversity. The most important species present in the blue sheep habitat were Kobresia pygmaea, Artemesia spp., Lonicera spp., Lancea tibetica, Poa spp., Astragalus spp. and Ephedra gerardiana. It is estimated that the existing blue sheep population biomass of approximately 38 925 kg in the upper Mustang region could support approximately 19 snow leopards (1.6 snow leopards/100 km(2)).
-
Habitat assessment for the translocation of blue sheep to maintain a viable snow leopard population in the Mt Everest Region, Nepal
Zoology and Ecology, 2013Co-Authors: Achyut Aryal, Dianne H. Brunton, David RaubenheimerAbstract:Blue sheep (Pseudois Nayaur) are the key prey of the endangered snow leopard (Panthera uncia) in the Himalayan region of Nepal. However, the snow leopard population has recently expanded back into the Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) National Park where the blue sheep are currently absent, and the evidence of snow leopard depredation of livestock can be found. A solution to this prospective human–wildlife conflict is the translocation of blue sheep back into this area. The aims of this study are (1) to characterize the spatial and environmental factors related to current blue sheep distributions in three areas: Annapurna Conservation Area, Shey Phoksundo National Park and Kanchanjunga Conservation Area, and (2) to use these characteristics to assess the suitability of two areas: Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) National Park and Langtang National Park for blue sheep translocation. Blue sheep were found to occur in 14,603 km2 of Nepal, with 7343 km2 (49%) inside protected areas. Blue sheep preferred the alpine meadow, pas...
