The Grouping Patterns of <i>Cervus canadensis songaricus</i> in the Tianchi Bogda Peak Nature Reserve of Tianshan Mountain, Northwestern China
Grouping behavior is a fundamental component of animal population dynamics, shaped by both environmental factors and the social interactions among individuals, ultimately enhancing adaptability to their habitats. However, the social organization of the wapiti subspecies inhabiting the Tian Shan Moun...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Xuejun Ma David Blank Feng Xu |
| author_facet | Xuejun Ma David Blank Feng Xu |
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| description | Grouping behavior is a fundamental component of animal population dynamics, shaped by both environmental factors and the social interactions among individuals, ultimately enhancing adaptability to their habitats. However, the social organization of the wapiti subspecies inhabiting the Tian Shan Mountains remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the grouping behavior of Tianshan wapiti in the Bogda Peak Nature Reserve, northwestern China from July 2019 to November 2020. Using infrared-triggered camera traps, we analyzed seasonal variation in group size and group frequency, as well as sex-specific aggregation and segregation pattern. Our results showed that Tianshan wapiti group sizes varied considerably, ranging from 1 to 32 individuals, with most groups being relatively smaller, typically consisting of 1 to 9 individuals. Seasonal differences in group size were significant (<i>H</i> = 28.91, df = 3, <i>p</i> < 0.05). Additionally, group type showed significant variation across seasons (χ<sup>2</sup> = 93.32, df = 18, <i>p</i> < 0.05). Anakysis of sex-specifia aggregation and segregation (SSAS) indicated no consistent segregation of females and males throughout the year. However, there was a notable tendency for sex-specific aggregation during July and from October to December. These findings provide new insights into the social organization and seasonal grouping behavior of Tianshan wapiti, contributing to a better understanding of their behavioral ecology and informing conservation and management strategies for this subspecies. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
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| spelling | doaj-art-69134b97069f4e85b4ae43a931282e8d2025-01-24T13:18:16ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-01-0115224710.3390/ani15020247The Grouping Patterns of <i>Cervus canadensis songaricus</i> in the Tianchi Bogda Peak Nature Reserve of Tianshan Mountain, Northwestern ChinaXuejun Ma0David Blank1Feng Xu2Xinjiang Key Laboratory for Ecological Adaptation and Evolution of Extreme Environment Biology, College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, ChinaCAS Research Center for Ecology and Environment of Central Asia, Bishkek 720001, KyrgyzstanXinjiang Key Laboratory for Ecological Adaptation and Evolution of Extreme Environment Biology, College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, ChinaGrouping behavior is a fundamental component of animal population dynamics, shaped by both environmental factors and the social interactions among individuals, ultimately enhancing adaptability to their habitats. However, the social organization of the wapiti subspecies inhabiting the Tian Shan Mountains remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the grouping behavior of Tianshan wapiti in the Bogda Peak Nature Reserve, northwestern China from July 2019 to November 2020. Using infrared-triggered camera traps, we analyzed seasonal variation in group size and group frequency, as well as sex-specific aggregation and segregation pattern. Our results showed that Tianshan wapiti group sizes varied considerably, ranging from 1 to 32 individuals, with most groups being relatively smaller, typically consisting of 1 to 9 individuals. Seasonal differences in group size were significant (<i>H</i> = 28.91, df = 3, <i>p</i> < 0.05). Additionally, group type showed significant variation across seasons (χ<sup>2</sup> = 93.32, df = 18, <i>p</i> < 0.05). Anakysis of sex-specifia aggregation and segregation (SSAS) indicated no consistent segregation of females and males throughout the year. However, there was a notable tendency for sex-specific aggregation during July and from October to December. These findings provide new insights into the social organization and seasonal grouping behavior of Tianshan wapiti, contributing to a better understanding of their behavioral ecology and informing conservation and management strategies for this subspecies.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/2/247grouping patternsgroup sizegroup types frequency |
| spellingShingle | Xuejun Ma David Blank Feng Xu The Grouping Patterns of <i>Cervus canadensis songaricus</i> in the Tianchi Bogda Peak Nature Reserve of Tianshan Mountain, Northwestern China Animals grouping patterns group size group types frequency |
| title | The Grouping Patterns of <i>Cervus canadensis songaricus</i> in the Tianchi Bogda Peak Nature Reserve of Tianshan Mountain, Northwestern China |
| title_full | The Grouping Patterns of <i>Cervus canadensis songaricus</i> in the Tianchi Bogda Peak Nature Reserve of Tianshan Mountain, Northwestern China |
| title_fullStr | The Grouping Patterns of <i>Cervus canadensis songaricus</i> in the Tianchi Bogda Peak Nature Reserve of Tianshan Mountain, Northwestern China |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Grouping Patterns of <i>Cervus canadensis songaricus</i> in the Tianchi Bogda Peak Nature Reserve of Tianshan Mountain, Northwestern China |
| title_short | The Grouping Patterns of <i>Cervus canadensis songaricus</i> in the Tianchi Bogda Peak Nature Reserve of Tianshan Mountain, Northwestern China |
| title_sort | grouping patterns of i cervus canadensis songaricus i in the tianchi bogda peak nature reserve of tianshan mountain northwestern china |
| topic | grouping patterns group size group types frequency |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/2/247 |
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