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Calving Location Selection Patterns of Saiga Antelope in Mongolia B bs_bs_bannerJournal of Zoology Journal of Zoology. Print ISSN 0952-8369 Calving location selection patterns of saiga antelope in Mongolia B. Buuveibaatar1,2, T. K. Fuller1, J. K. Young3 & J. Berger4,5 1 Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA 2 Mongolia Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia 3 USDA-WS-National Wildlife Research Center and the Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA 4 Organismic Biology and Ecology, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA 5 Wildlife Conservation Society, New York, NY, USA Keywords Abstract Saiga tatarica mongolica; Mongolia; calving location; Gobi Desert; endangered species. Habitat selection for calving by ungulates is an important behavioral trait because it affects neonate survival. Generally, ungulate calving site selection varies by Correspondence vulnerability to predators, local topography, habitat quality and level of human Bayarbaatar Buuveibaatar, Department of disturbance. The Mongolian saiga (Saiga tatarica mongolica) is endemic to Mon- Environmental Conservation golia where a threatened population of ∼7000 exists in the northern Gobi Desert. University of Massachusetts, 160 We analyzed factors that could affect selection of saiga calving locations in the Holdsworth Way, Amherst, MA 01003, Sharga Nature Reserve, western Mongolia, using data obtained from ground USA. surveys over 4 years between 2008 and 2012. Multiple factors explain calving Email: [email protected] location selection by saiga antelopes, based on the results of a generalized linear mixed model within a use availability framework. Individual saiga females pre- Editor: Jane Waterman ferred calving locations that were away from settlements and closer to water sources and avoided steeper slopes in comparison with random locations. These Received 25 March 2014; revised 21 July results demonstrate that the choice of calving locations for saiga antelope is driven 2014; accepted 08 August 2014 by both internal and external factors. Understanding which factors influence calving location selection for saiga provides insights to protect important habitats. doi:10.1111/jzo.12174 Introduction high energy demands of lactation and reduce exposure to predators (Lima & Dill, 1990; van Moorter et al., 2009). Con- Variation in recruitment rate affects population trajectories of sequently, selection of calving areas by female ungulates large herbivores (Gaillard et al., 2000; Coulson, Gaillard & reflects trade-offs between minimizing risk of predation and Festa-Bianchet, 2005). Juvenile survival of large herbivores is maximizing nutrition (Berger, 1992; Rachlow & Bowyer, generally low and more variable relative to that of adults 1998). Birth site selection of ungulates is also shaped by the (Gaillard, Festa-Bianchet & Yoccoz, 1998); thus, investigating need to reduce neonatal predation, including concealment potential causes of recruitment variability is important for cover (Barbknecht et al., 2011; Pinard et al., 2012), density of effective management of large herbivores, especially if the predators (Bergerud, Butler & Miller, 1984), topographic vari- population size is small. Where predators are present, preda- ables associated with visibility (Bowyer et al., 1999; Mysterud tion is the primary cause of neonatal mortality in large ungu- & Ostbye, 1999) and experience in the previous year lates (Linnell, Aanes & Andersen, 1995). In response to the (Wiseman, Carling & Byers, 2006). In addition to the environ- high risk of predation to neonates (Garrot, Bartmann & mental factors, anthropogenic impacts such as proximity to White, 1985), ungulates have evolved two main behavioral settlements and roads can determine birth site selection of strategies, hiding or following (Estes, 1974; Lent, 1974; ungulate females (Berger, 2007; Singh et al., 2010). Leuthold, 1977), depending on whether the newborns lie con- The Mongolia saiga (Saiga tatarica mongolica) is endemic cealed for their first few days or actively follow their mothers to the semi-deserts of western Mongolia (Bannikov, 1954), (Lent, 1974; Ralls, Kranz & Lundrigan, 1986). Following has with an estimated population of 7000 individuals (Young been viewed as a strategy for avoiding predators in open habi- et al., 2010), and is categorized as an endangered species by tats, while hiding is thought to reduce the predation risk in IUCN (Mallon, 2008). Like most ungulates, the saiga closed habitats (Estes, 1974; Lent, 1974). antelope segregate at the time of parturition and maternal Ungulate females often face challenges of selecting areas for females become solitary in late spring (e.g. end of May) to calving that simultaneously provide sufficient forage to meet seek secluded areas for giving birth (Bekenov, Grachev & Journal of Zoology •• (2014) ••–•• © 2014 The Zoological Society of London 1 Mongolian saiga calving location selection B. Buuveibaatar et al. Milner-Gulland, 1998). Newborns remain hidden for the first Kie & Van Ballenberghe, 1998). We also predicted that saiga few days of life (Bannikov, 1954; Bekenov et al., 1998). The females would prefer areas with high vegetation productivity life history of saiga is characterized by early female reproduc- to maximize energy gain (Bowyer et al., 1999; Kie, 1999). tive maturity, unusually large neonates relative to female body During the birth period ungulates are highly sensitive to size and frequent twinning (Kuhl et al., 2007; Buuveibaatar human disturbance as it reduces reproductive success (Phillips et al., 2013a). Group size of Mongolian saiga is highly variable & Alldredge, 2000), so we expected calving locations to be throughout the year and seasonality exerts strong effects, with located away from human settlements. Lastly, as availability the smallest groups forming in June (calving) and largest in of water is essential for lactating females (Singh et al., 2010), December (Buuveibaatar et al., 2013b). The calving period of we expected mothers to use areas closer to natural standing Mongolian saiga is highly synchronous and most calving waters in this very dry region. occurs over a short period (7–10 days) in early June; calves are highly vulnerable to predators (mainly raptors and foxes) Study area during the first 2 months of life (Buuveibaatar et al., 2013a). Factors affecting calving site selection of saiga antelope We studied saiga calving location selection in a 3000-km2 part (Saiga tatarica) are well documented in Kazakhstan, where of the Sharga Nature Reserve (SNR) in western Mongolia saiga select sites with lower than average vegetation produc- (Fig. 1). The study area included ∼30% of the entire Mongo- tivity, low interannual variation, intermediate distances from lian saiga range and is bounded by the Altai Mountains to the water sources and far from human settlements (Singh et al., west. Elevations within the study area ranged from 1300 to 2010). It is unknown if environmental and human variables 1900 m. The study area received ∼100 mm precipitation similarly influence calving locations in the Mongolian subspe- annually and average air temperatures in summer and winter cies, but such information would be useful for management of were 18 and −20°C, respectively (Buuveibaatar, 2011). The this endangered species (Clark & Javzansuren, 2006). Expan- main human populations in the area are concentrated in sion of the existing reserves to protect key areas like calving soums (villages/towns). The abundance of livestock, particu- grounds is recognized as a high priority for saiga conservation larly goats, in and adjacent to the SNR steadily increased over (Convention on Migratory Species, 2010). 30 years and now are the most dominant herbivores (Berger, Our goal herein is to identify factors that influence birth Buuveibaatar & Mishra, 2013). The region is characterized location selection of Mongolian saiga and assess the general by constant fluctuations in precipitation patterns resulting relationship between spatial patterns of calving locations to in a constant change in availability of quality forage (von habitat characteristics and thus areas in need of protection. Wehrden et al., 2012). There is a lack of permanent surface We predicted that saiga would avoid higher elevations and water and local herders rely heavily on hand-drawn wells. A steeper slopes during the calving period because these envi- few alkaline lakes present near the towns are not potable for ronmental traits increase predation risk to neonates (Bowyer, livestock and wildlife. Onions (Allium spp.), grasses (Stipa Figure 1 A map of study area and calving locations of saiga antelope observed during 2008–2012 in western Mongolia. The box in a country map denotes the ‘Study site’. 2 Journal of Zoology •• (2014) ••–•• © 2014 The Zoological Society of London B. Buuveibaatar et al. Mongolian saiga calving location selection spp.) and anabasis Anabasis brevifolia are the most common define available habitat we, created minimum convex poly- plants in this region (Buuveibaatar, Gunbat & Fuller, 2012). gons (100% MCP) based on all observations of calving loca- Some shrubs (Caragana spp.) and trees, such as saxaul tions for each year to delineate the extent of a yearly calving Haloxylon ammodendron, are sparsely distributed. Common area within which we could sample random points (Table 1). predators in this system are red foxes Vulpes vulpes, corsac Random locations were separately sampled from within each foxes V. corsac and raptors such as golden eagles Aquila
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