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Calving location selection patterns of saiga antelope in M ongolia
Author(s) -
Buuveibaatar B.,
Fuller T. K.,
Young J. K.,
Berger J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/jzo.12174
Subject(s) - ungulate , ice calving , biology , selection (genetic algorithm) , habitat , ecology , population , trait , demography , computer science , pregnancy , genetics , lactation , artificial intelligence , sociology , programming language
Habitat selection for calving by ungulates is an important behavioral trait because it affects neonate survival. Generally, ungulate calving site selection varies by vulnerability to predators, local topography, habitat quality and level of human disturbance. The M ongolian saiga ( S aiga tatarica mongolica ) is endemic to M ongolia where a threatened population of ∼7000 exists in the northern G obi Desert. We analyzed factors that could affect selection of saiga calving locations in the S harga N ature R eserve, western M ongolia, using data obtained from ground surveys over 4 years between 2008 and 2012. Multiple factors explain calving location selection by saiga antelopes, based on the results of a generalized linear mixed model within a use availability framework. Individual saiga females preferred calving locations that were away from settlements and closer to water sources and avoided steeper slopes in comparison with random locations. These results demonstrate that the choice of calving locations for saiga antelope is driven by both internal and external factors. Understanding which factors influence calving location selection for saiga provides insights to protect important habitats.

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