Foraging behaviour at multiple temporal scales in a wild alpine equid

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Zoology
• Animal Behavior

Background:

• Wild herbivores' foraging ecology is influenced by forage availability, quality, and social dynamics.
• Non-ruminant equids, like the kiang (Equus kiang), face significant foraging challenges in resource-limited environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the multi-scale foraging behavior of kiang on the Tibetan Plateau.
• To determine how plant abundance and quality influence kiang foraging at fine and coarse scales.
• To examine variations in foraging behavior based on group type, sex, and reproductive status.

Main Methods:

• Utilized behavioral observations and vegetation sampling to study kiang foraging ecology.
• Assessed instantaneous forage intake rate (fine scale) and proportion of time spent foraging (coarse scale).
• Compared foraging patterns across seasons, group types, sexes, and female reproductive statuses.

Main Results:

• Forage intake rate increased with bite size, plant biomass, and plant quality.
• No significant differences in intake rates were found between sexes or among females with different reproductive statuses.
• Kiangs foraged more in mesic habitats and during early summer/fall, with group feeding time varying by composition.

Conclusions:

• Kiang exhibit flexible foraging strategies in response to seasonal vegetation changes on the Tibetan Plateau.
• These adaptations are crucial for survival in the extreme high-altitude environment.
• Understanding these behaviors provides insights into wild equid ecology and conservation needs.