Avifauna of Mongol Daguur important bird area in Eastern Mongolia

Onolragchaa Ganbold,Gi-Chang Bing,In-Hwan Paik,Erdenetushig Purevee,Munkhbaatar Munkhbayar,Ariunbold Jargalsaikhan,Woon Kee Paek 한국조류학회II 2017 한국조류학회지 Vol.24 No.2

The Mongol Daguur Steppe was established within the Mongolian Protected Areas Network as a Strictly Protected Area in 1992. The steppe is considered one of the world’s outstanding biological ecoregions and Mongol Daguur supports several globally threatened species. The Mongol Daguur Steppe’s avifauna remains poorly investigated, despite some research over the past two centuries. Foreign scientists, especially Russians, conducted studies on the basic avifauna of the reserve (indeed, all of Mongolia) in the 19th and 20th Centuries. We collected data on bird species and the threats in the Mongol Daguur Important Bird Area (IBA; MNO66) for 9 days, consisted of 3 days from May, July and Septemer of 2016. Our avifauna study in the area covered 13 small to moderate sized lakes. A total of 111, 65, and 90 species were recorded in May, July, and September, respectively. The most dominant species were the Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna, with 3,452 individuals in 33 groups; the Common Pochard Aythya ferina with 2,161 counted birds in 11 groups, and the Swan Goose Anser cygnoides, with 643 counted birds in 19 groups. The prolonged drought was strongly affected for drying out of small salty lakes in our study sites, 3 totally dried out lakes were recorded. In addition, poor to moderate strength of impact from livestock husbandry at the wetlands.

Diet composition of lesser kestrels in Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, Mongolia

Onolragchaa Ganbold,John Azua,Buyandelger Suuri,백인환,Otgontsetseg Khuderchuluun,백운기,Richard P. Reading 국립중앙과학관 2017 Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Vol.10 No.4

The lesser kestrel is recognized as “Least Concern” in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List since 2011. So far, all available diet studies on the lesser kestrel were conducted in its European range or in partial African breeding and nonbreeding range. In particular, little is known about the feeding behavior of this small falcon in Asian ranges. Thus, this study can be considered as the first to examine the diet composition of the central Asian breeding populations of lesser kestrels. This study aims to provide some information about the diet composition of this species among Asian populations through biological and ecological investigations. Pellets (n = 762) dropped by lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) were collected during their breeding season from nine to 10 colony sites in Ikh Nart, between June and September of 2009 and 2010, and analyzed. A total of 1,484 prey items were identified in the pellets collected. After a measure of their weight (g) and length and width (mm), we carefully examined each pellet and separated all prey remains using tweezers. Our results indicated that insects (including orthopterans and coleopterans) were dominant in lesser kestrel’s diets. We found that the lesser kestrel’s diet mainly consisted of insects (69.7%), lizards (17.4%), small mammals (10%), small birds (2%), and other food (1%).

Bird accidents in Southern Mongolia

Onolragchaa Ganbold,Gi-Chang Bing(빙기창),Erdenetushig Purevee,Munkhbaatar Munkhbayar,Won-Suk Choi(최원석),Ariunbold Jargalsaikhan,In-Hwan Paik(백인환),Zoljargal Purevdorj,Namsrai Jargal,Woon-Kee Paek(백운기) 한국조류학회II 2018 한국조류학회지 Vol.25 No.2

몽골의 초원이나 사막과 같은 개방지역에 설치된 송전선로에서 발생하는 조류 감전사고는 매우 흔하게 보고되고 있다. 본 연구는 조류피해조사를 위해 2017년 몽골 남부지역의 준사막 지역에 설치된 15-kV의 송전선로에 4월, 7월, 9월 등 총 3회에 걸쳐 조사를 실시하였다. 전체 250개의 전신주 구간에서 총 12종 45개체의 감전사한 조류를 확인하였다(10㎞마다 1.12% 사망률). 주요 감전 피해 조류는 멸종위기종인 Falco cherrug (n=11)와 Milvus migrans (n=11)로 나타났다. 본 연구지역과 같이 개방된 환경에서의 조류를 위한 잠자리 또는 휴식처의 부족은 보다 많은 조류의 감전사고를 발생시킬 수 있으며, 특히 몽골의 다른 개방지역에서도 발생할 수 있다. 사고현장에서 종동정이 어려운 개체의 경우, 시료의 유전자 증폭 등을 통해 DNA 분석을 실시하여 동정하였다. 본 연구결과 몽골의 개방지역에서 조류의 감전사고는 조류에게 발생하는 위험요소 중 높은 비율을 차지하고 있는 것으로 확인되었으며, 특히 맹금류에게 빈번하며, 간헐적으로 이동철새에게도 일어나고 있는 것으로 확인되었다. 개방된 지역일 경우 조류의 감전사고가 더 잘 발생할 수 있으며, 감전사고와 같은 조류의 위험요소를 보다 잘 이해하는 것은 멸종위기종과 같은 종보전에 기여할 수 있을 것으로 판단된다. Bird electrocution on contact with electricity lines is well reported and is quite common in Mongolian open areas. We visited 15-kV electricity distribution pole lines in a Southern Mongolian semi-desert region three times in 2017, in April, July, and September, to assess their risks to birds. The carcasses of 45 electrocuted birds representing 12 species were identified from 250 poles (overall mortality rate of 1.12% every 10 km). The majority of these electrocuted birds were endangered Saker Falcon (n=11) and common Black Kite (n=11). The lacks of roosting or perching sites in our study sites (indeed other open areas in Mongolia) may resulted for such high rate bird electrocution. A 751-base pair (bp) cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene was amplified for DNA sequence-based identification of carcasses that were difficult to identify directly. Our findings revealed the high electrocution risk for birds in Mongolian open areas, especially for the birds of prey, with relatively low-efficiency electrocution mitigation approaches. The findings also indicate that there is a need for better understanding of the risk of bird electrocution, particularly in the open areas. This will contribute to the conservation of endangered species.

Low genetic variation of cinereous vultures (Aegypius monachus) revealed by the mitochondrial COI gene in central Mongolia

Onolragchaa Ganbold,빙기창,Munkhbaatar Munkhbayar,백운기,Erdenetushig Purevee,Namsrai Jargal,Rentsen Oyunbat,Ariunbold Jargalsaikhan 국립중앙과학관 2021 Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Vol.14 No.1

The cinereous vulture Aegypius monachus is considered as the largest species among old world’s vultures,and it is also recognized as the important part of any ecosystem, as cleaner of dead animals with naturaland non-natural mortality. We investigated genetic characteristics of the cinereous vulture (n ¼ 39)using 738 base-pair (bp) long cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene in mitochondrial DNA. Theobserved overall haplotype (Hd) and nucleotide (Pi) diversities were 0.279 0.0079 and 3.9 x 10-3,respectively. Relatively small genetic pairwise FST distance (FST ¼ 0.027) resulted for weak geographicalstructure among studied populations (>95% of total variation due to within population). Conductingmore investigation on species genetic diversity using more appropriate/polymorphic markers is crucialfor better conservation of the cinereous vulture, especially for little known Asian populations.

Sequence characterization and polymorphism of melanocortin 1 receptor gene in some goat breeds with different coat color of Mongolia

Onolragchaa Ganbold,Prabuddha Manjula,이승환,백운기,서동원,Munkhabaatar Munkhbayar,이준헌 아세아·태평양축산학회 2019 Animal Bioscience Vol.32 No.7

Objective: Extension and Agouti loci play a key role for proportions of eumelanin and pheomelanin in determining coat color in several species, including goat. Mongolian goats exhibit diverse types of coat color phenotypes. In this study, investigation of the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) coding region in different coat colors in Mongolian goats was performed to ascertain the presence of the extension allele. Methods: A total of 105 goat samples representing three goat breeds were collected for this study from middle Mongolia. A 938 base pair (bp) long coding region of the MC1R gene was sequenced for three different breeds with different coat colors (Gobi Gurwan Saikhan: complete black, Zalaa Jinstiin Tsagaan: complete white, Mongolian native goat: admixture of different of coat colors). The genotypes of these goats were obtained from analyzing and comparing the sequencing results. Results: A total of seven haplotypes defined by five substitution were identified. The five single nucleotide polymorphisms included two synonymous mutations (c.183C>T and c.489G>A) and three missense (non-synonymous) mutations (c.676A>G, c.748T>G, and c.770T>A). Comparison of genotypes frequencies of two common missense mutions using chi-sqaure (x2) test revealed significant differences between coat color groups (p<0.001). A logistic regression analysis additionally suggested highly significant association between genotypes and variation of black versus white uniform combination. Alternatively, most investigated goats (60.4%) belonged to H2 (TGAGT) haplotype. Conclusion: According to the findings obtained in this study on the investigated coat colors, mutations in MC1R gene may have the crucial role for determining eumelanin and pheomelanin phenotypes. Due to the complication of coat color phenotype, more detailed investigation needed.

Mitochondrial DNA variation and phylogeography of native Mongolian goats

Ganbold, Onolragchaa,Lee, Seung-Hwan,Paek, Woon Kee,Munkhbayar, Munkhbaatar,Seo, Dongwon,Manjula, Prabuddha,Khujuu, Tamir,Purevee, Erdenetushig,Lee, Jun Heon Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2020 Animal Bioscience Vol.33 No.6

Objective: Mongolia is one of a few countries that supports over 25 million goats, but genetic diversity, demographic history, and the origin of goat populations in Mongolia have not been well studied. This study was conducted to assess the genetic diversity, phylogenetic status and population structure of Mongolian native goats, as well as to discuss their origin together with other foreign breeds from different countries using hypervariable region 1 (HV1) in mtDNA. Methods: In this study, we examined the genetic diversity and phylogenetic status of Mongolian native goat populations using a 452 base-pair long fragment of HVI of mitochondrial DNA from 174 individuals representing 12 populations. In addition, 329 previously published reference sequences from different regions were included in our phylogenetic analyses. Results: Investigated native Mongolian goats displayed relatively high genetic diversities. After sequencing, we found a total of 109 polymorphic sites that defined 137 haplotypes among investigated populations. Of these, haplotype and nucleotide diversities of Mongolian goats were calculated as 0.997±0.001 and 0.0283±0.002, respectively. These haplotypes clearly clustered into four haplogroups (A, B, C, and D), with the predominance of haplogroup A (90.8%). Estimates of pairwise differences (Fst) and the analysis of molecular variance values among goat populations in Mongolia showed low genetic differentiation and weak geographical structure. In addition, Kazakh, Chinese (from Huanghuai and Leizhou), and Arabian (Turkish and Baladi breeds) goats had smaller genetic differentiation compared to Mongolian goats. Conclusion: In summary, we report novel information regarding genetic diversity, population structure, and origin of Mongolian goats. The findings obtained from this study reveal that abundant haplogroups (A to D) occur in goat populations in Mongolia, with high levels of haplotype and nucleotide diversity.

An avifaunal survey of middle Mongolian wetlands: Important Bird Areas and threatened species

Ganbold, Onolragchaa,Bing, Gi-Chang,Lee, Jun-Heon,Munkhbayar, Munkhbaatar,Paik, In-Hwan,Jargalsaikhan, Ariunbold,Purevee, Erdenetushig,Purevdorj, Zoljargal,Paek, Woon-Kee Elsevier 2018 Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Vol.11 No.3

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The objectives of this study were (a) to assess the avifaunal diversity variation among covered wetland habitats in middle Mongolia and (b) to identify threats that might endanger the avifauna at the these wetlands. Surveys were undertaken at 14 wetlands across middle Mongolia, consecutively in May, July, and September 2017. A total of 70 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) were identified in Mongolia; among these IBAs, 44 sites (68%) were based on wetland habitat, including our study sites. In this study, 192 bird species belonging to 94 genera for a total of 132,582 birds from 14 wetlands were recorded. Within total recorded species, 95 species (49.7% of total) of waterbirds belonged to six orders and accounted for 97% of total birds counted. Nine globally threatened bird (GTB) species were recorded; among these, common pochard (<I>Aythya ferina</I>) and swan geese (<I>Anser cygnoides)</I> were recorded with the greatest abundances 3,296 and 3,260, respectively. More livestock overgrazing and prolonged drought were natural phenomena recorded as crucial threats to the birds at the study sites. Our findings highlight the need for habitat management around estuaries.</P>

Reversed sexual size dimorphism: body size patterns in sexes of lesser kestrels (<i>Falco naumanni</i>) in the Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, Mongolia

Ganbold, Onolragchaa,Reading, Richard P.,Wingard, Ganchimeg J.,Paek, Woon Kee,Tsolmonjav, Purevsuren,Jargalsaikhan, Ariunbold,Khuderchuluun, Otgontsetseg,Azua, John Elsevier 2019 Journal of Asia-Pacific biodiversity(Online) Vol.12 No.3

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>In normal sexual size dimorphism, males generally possess larger body sizes than females in vertebrates, especially birds, mammals, and some reptiles. However, most birds of prey from the orders Falconiformes and Strigiformes have reversed sexual dimorphism (RSD) in body size (i.e., females larger than males). We investigated the degree of RSD in lesser kestrels (<I>Falco naumanni</I>), a small falcon breeding in Mongolia, which may contribute to a better understanding of body size variation based on gender for other birds of prey that do not have plumage dimorphism. We explored the degree of RSD between male and female lesser kestrels in a semidesert region of Mongolia by capturing and measuring 79 males and 83 females during the breeding seasons of 2007 through 2016. Our 10 years of data showed that females were significantly larger than males in five of nine measurements, with an especially high degree of RSD in body weight and bill measurements. For males, we found significant relationships between body weight and both tail length and wingspan, but no significant relationships for females. Our results support previous hypotheses raised to explain RSD in birds of prey.</P>

Genetic diversity and the origin of Mongolian native sheep

Ganbold, Onolragchaa,Lee, Seung-Hwan,Seo, Dongwon,Paek, Woon Kee,Manjula, Prabuddha,Munkhbayar, Munkhbaatar,Lee, Jun Heon Elsevier 2019 Livestock science Vol.220 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Sheep herding remains the main economic activity in Mongolia. Domestic sheep play key roles for Mongolians, providing food, clothing, and raw materials for traditional housing. The molecular and population genetic status of Mongolian native sheep (MNS) is not well understood mostly due to a lack of material and trained personnel. In this study, we initially examined the genetic diversity, population structure, and the phylogenetic status of MNS using 1070 bp long 88 partial mitochondrial DNA sequences and 187 (525 bp) reference sequences that represented 40 breeds from Eurasian and African countries. We found 39 haplotypes defined by 39 variable sites among MNS’ 88 sequences. Overall haplotype and nucleotide diversity were 0.93 ± 0.01 and 0.0060, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis revealed three (A, B, and C) previously identified haplogroups in MNS. In addition, Mongolia (as part of the Mongolian Plateau) played a key role in the arrival of sheep in eastern Eurasia. Moreover, we observed less genetic differentiation between breeds from China and Mongolia, which shared 10 haplotypes. Our findings highlight a high level of genetic diversity in MNS, boding well for conservation.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> The initial genetic diversity study for Mongolian native sheep using mtDNA sequences. </LI> <LI> A total of 39 haplotypes defined by 39 variable sites in 88 sequences. </LI> <LI> There are three identified haplogroups (A, B and C) and 10 haplotypes shared with Chinese breeds. </LI> </UL> </P>

Reversed sexual size dimorphism: body size patterns in sexes of lesser kestrels (Falco naumanni) in the Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, Mongolia

Onolragchaa Ganbold,Richard P. Reading,Ganchimeg J. Wingard,백운기,Purevsuren Tsolmonjav,Ariunbold Jargalsaikhan,Otgontsetseg Khuderchuluun,John Azua 국립중앙과학관 2019 Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Vol.12 No.3

In normal sexual size dimorphism, males generally possess larger body sizes than females in vertebrates, especially birds, mammals, and some reptiles. However, most birds of prey from the orders Falconiformes and Strigiformes have reversed sexual dimorphism (RSD) in body size (i.e., females larger than males). We investigated the degree of RSD in lesser kestrels (Falco naumanni), a small falcon breeding in Mongolia, which may contribute to a better understanding of body size variation based on gender for other birds of prey that do not have plumage dimorphism. We explored the degree of RSD between male and female lesser kestrels in a semidesert region of Mongolia by capturing and measuring 79 males and 83 females during the breeding seasons of 2007 through 2016. Our 10 years of data showed that females were significantly larger than males in five of nine measurements, with an especially high degree of RSD in body weight and bill measurements. For males, we found significant relationships between body weight and both tail length and wingspan, but no significant relationships for females. Our results support previous hypotheses raised to explain RSD in birds of prey.