A Literature Review of Mongolian Gazelle ( Procapra gutturosa ) Ecology from 1998 to Present
With respect to Mongolian gazelles a great deal of new knowledge has been gained over the past 10-12 years since the last species reviews were conducted. Advances in molecular techniques have helped to clarify the status of the genus Procapra and the r...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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National University of Mongolia
2010-12-01
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| Series: | Mongolian Journal of Biological Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://mjbs.num.edu.mn/uploads/files/MJBS%20Volume%208%20Number%202%20December%202010/pdf/mjbs008-02-03.pdf |
| _version_ | 1819087125123956736 |
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| author | Kirk A. Olson |
| author_facet | Kirk A. Olson |
| author_sort | Kirk A. Olson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | With
respect to Mongolian gazelles a great deal of new knowledge has been gained over the past
10-12 years since the last species reviews were conducted. Advances in molecular techniques have
helped to clarify the status of the genus
Procapra
and the relationship between the three extant
species within and have highlighted the high genetic heterozygosity throughout the population.
New morphological studies have focused on dimorphism between the sexes and the evolutionary
development and role the enlarged larynx seen in males. Mongolian gazelles have long been the
subject of intense debate with respect to their role as reservoirs for pathogens such as Foot and Mouth
Disease virus, but with long term collection of serum from adults and calves it has been shown that
gazelles are passive recipients of a virus harbored and spread by other means. Great strides have
been made in the study of Mongolian gazelle forage ecology and their overlap in diet with domestic
livestock as well as better understanding the physical adaptations needed for survival in a harsh
environment with long periods of low quality forage availability by switching to browsing and grazing
strategies. Using satellite tracking and remote sensing technology gazelle movement patterns are much
better understood. Movements are more nomadic in nature and linked to tracking changes in quality
habitat in time and space and less dictated by what was previously thought to be traditional migratory
patterns. Mongolian gazelle have highly synchronized calving events which coincide with the start
of the summer solstice and calf weights are correlated with the previous winter’s harshness. Calves
demonstrate behavior associated with ‘hider’ species for the fi rst few weeks of life before they begin
to aggregate in large herds and move to different grazing grounds. Advances in survey methodologies
have led to a better assessment of the population status of Mongolian gazelles and the most recent
published studies estimated there to be 1.126 million gazelles living within Mongolia’s border. Density
varies widely and is negatively correlated with the presence of households. Future studies should
focus on research that helps us better evaluate population dynamics, forage preference, behavioral
interactions, and the role gazelles play in ecosystem function. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T21:31:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-74f2f464bd2d46ee842f79680bc8ebb8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1684-3908 2225-4994 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T21:31:10Z |
| publishDate | 2010-12-01 |
| publisher | National University of Mongolia |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Mongolian Journal of Biological Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-74f2f464bd2d46ee842f79680bc8ebb82022-12-21T18:49:37ZengNational University of MongoliaMongolian Journal of Biological Sciences1684-39082225-49942010-12-0182152410.22353/mjbs.2010.08.10A Literature Review of Mongolian Gazelle ( Procapra gutturosa ) Ecology from 1998 to PresentKirk A. Olson0Department of Natural Resour ces Conservation, 160 Holdsworth W ay, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003-9285, USAWith respect to Mongolian gazelles a great deal of new knowledge has been gained over the past 10-12 years since the last species reviews were conducted. Advances in molecular techniques have helped to clarify the status of the genus Procapra and the relationship between the three extant species within and have highlighted the high genetic heterozygosity throughout the population. New morphological studies have focused on dimorphism between the sexes and the evolutionary development and role the enlarged larynx seen in males. Mongolian gazelles have long been the subject of intense debate with respect to their role as reservoirs for pathogens such as Foot and Mouth Disease virus, but with long term collection of serum from adults and calves it has been shown that gazelles are passive recipients of a virus harbored and spread by other means. Great strides have been made in the study of Mongolian gazelle forage ecology and their overlap in diet with domestic livestock as well as better understanding the physical adaptations needed for survival in a harsh environment with long periods of low quality forage availability by switching to browsing and grazing strategies. Using satellite tracking and remote sensing technology gazelle movement patterns are much better understood. Movements are more nomadic in nature and linked to tracking changes in quality habitat in time and space and less dictated by what was previously thought to be traditional migratory patterns. Mongolian gazelle have highly synchronized calving events which coincide with the start of the summer solstice and calf weights are correlated with the previous winter’s harshness. Calves demonstrate behavior associated with ‘hider’ species for the fi rst few weeks of life before they begin to aggregate in large herds and move to different grazing grounds. Advances in survey methodologies have led to a better assessment of the population status of Mongolian gazelles and the most recent published studies estimated there to be 1.126 million gazelles living within Mongolia’s border. Density varies widely and is negatively correlated with the presence of households. Future studies should focus on research that helps us better evaluate population dynamics, forage preference, behavioral interactions, and the role gazelles play in ecosystem function.http://mjbs.num.edu.mn/uploads/files/MJBS%20Volume%208%20Number%202%20December%202010/pdf/mjbs008-02-03.pdflandscape speciesMongolian gazellePr ocapraspecies research review |
| spellingShingle | Kirk A. Olson A Literature Review of Mongolian Gazelle ( Procapra gutturosa ) Ecology from 1998 to Present Mongolian Journal of Biological Sciences landscape species Mongolian gazelle Pr ocapra species research review |
| title | A Literature Review of Mongolian Gazelle ( Procapra gutturosa ) Ecology from 1998 to Present |
| title_full | A Literature Review of Mongolian Gazelle ( Procapra gutturosa ) Ecology from 1998 to Present |
| title_fullStr | A Literature Review of Mongolian Gazelle ( Procapra gutturosa ) Ecology from 1998 to Present |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Literature Review of Mongolian Gazelle ( Procapra gutturosa ) Ecology from 1998 to Present |
| title_short | A Literature Review of Mongolian Gazelle ( Procapra gutturosa ) Ecology from 1998 to Present |
| title_sort | literature review of mongolian gazelle procapra gutturosa ecology from 1998 to present |
| topic | landscape species Mongolian gazelle Pr ocapra species research review |
| url | http://mjbs.num.edu.mn/uploads/files/MJBS%20Volume%208%20Number%202%20December%202010/pdf/mjbs008-02-03.pdf |
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