Current Status of the Eastern Sayan Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) Grouping and Its Nutritive Base
- Authors: Karnaukhov A.S.1,2, Malykh S.V.1, Korablev M.P.1, Kalashnikova Y.M.1,3, Poyarkov A.D.1, Rozhnov V.V.1,4
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Affiliations:
- Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Science
- World Wildlife Fund for Nature Russia (WWF)
- Magistratsvagen
- National Research Tomsk State University
- Issue: Vol 45, No 9 (2018)
- Pages: 1106-1115
- Section: Article
- URL: https://journals.rcsi.science/1062-3590/article/view/182921
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S106235901809008X
- ID: 182921
Cite item
Abstract
Abstract—A field survey of snow leopard (Panthera uncia) habitats was carried out in the southeastern part of the Eastern Sayan Mountains (Okinskii and Tunkinskii districts of the Republic of Buryatia and the Kaa-Khemskii district of Tuva Republic). Seven or eight adult snow leopards were observed as constant inhabitants of the Tunkinskie Gol’tsy, Munku-Sardyk, and Bol’shoi Sayan mountain ridges. The presence of eight snow leopards was confirmed using DNA-based analyses of scats collected in 2014–2016. The main prey species of the snow leopard in Eastern Sayan is the Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica), but its abundance has steadily decreased over the past 20 years. The red deer (Cervus elaphus) and the wild boar (Sus scrofa), which were some of the most numerous ungulates in the survey area, are replacing the Siberian ibex in the snow leopard’s diet. In addition, the mountain hare (Lepus timidus) is also of importance to the snow leopard’s diet.
About the authors
A. S. Karnaukhov
Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Science; World Wildlife Fund for Nature Russia (WWF)
Email: rozhnov.v@gmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119071; Moscow, 109240
S. V. Malykh
Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Science
Email: rozhnov.v@gmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119071
M. P. Korablev
Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Science
Email: rozhnov.v@gmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119071
Yu. M. Kalashnikova
Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Science; Magistratsvagen
Email: rozhnov.v@gmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119071; Lund
A. D. Poyarkov
Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Science
Email: rozhnov.v@gmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119071
V. V. Rozhnov
Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Science; National Research Tomsk State University
Author for correspondence.
Email: rozhnov.v@gmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119071; Tomsk, 634050