Abstract:
The infrared camera data in this study were collected in four nature reserves (Wanglang, Siguniang Mountain, Gongga Mountains and Yading) of Sichuan Province through the Chinese Mammal Diversity Observation Network from June to November, 2017. Relative population and daily activity rhythms of nine ungulates were studied using the relative abundance index (RAI), including
Budorcas tibetanus,
Capricornis milneedwardsii,
Cervus unicolor,
Elaphodus cephalophus, Moschus berezovskii,
Moschus Chrysogaster,
Muntiacus reevesi, Naemorhedus griseus and
Pseudois nayaur. The results show that:(1)
E. cephalophus had the highest RAI (64.12%), which was significantly higher than others. (2)
E. cephalophus, M. reevesi and
N. griseus showed a bimodal activity pattern with peaks at dawn and dusk. (3)
C. milneedwardsii and
C. unicolor showed obviously higher levels of nocturnal than diurnal activity. (4)
E. cephalophus had similar daily bimodal activity patterns with different activity peaks in different areas. It is indicated that the ungulates' population was related to food resources and predation pressure, and their daily activity rhythms may be influenced by many biotic and abiotic factors. This study can provide the basis for monitoring, protection and management of ungulates in a more efficient way, and offer the data support for the behavior study and conservation of their predators.