Differential movement of adult and juvenile Cinereous Vultures (Aegypius monachus) (Accipitriformes: Accipitridae) in Northeast Asia

Richard P. Reading,John Azua,Travis Garrett,David Kenny,이한수,백운기,Nanette Reece,Purevsuren Tsolmonjav,Mary Jo Willis,Ganchimeg Wingard 국립중앙과학관 2020 Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Vol.13 No.2

We report on differential movement of adult and juvenile cinereous vultures (Aegypius monachus) in thenortheast Asia. Adult vultures remain in Mongolia throughout the year, whereas many juvenile vulturesmigrate from their breeding grounds in Mongolia to wintering grounds in the Republic of Korea (SouthKorea).We trapped adult and juvenile Cinereous Vultures in Mongolia and Korea to attach wing tags (n ¼270 fledglings and 10 adults) and, for some, global positioning system telemetry units (n ¼ 31 fledglings,18 juveniles, and 10 adults). While adult birds never left Mongolia, fledglings and juveniles wanderedmore widely into Russia (rarely), China, and the Korean Peninsula. Most telemetered fledglings andjuveniles for which we obtained data migrated seasonally between Mongolia and South Korea. Juvenilevultures used larger summer home ranges than adults. Juveniles used much smaller winter than summerhome ranges. Over the course of the year, adult and juvenile vultures moved similar amounts thatdiffered seasonally. How juvenile vultures learn the migration route between Mongolia and Republic ofKorea remains unknown. Our results have important conservation implications, as factors influencing thesurvivorship of migratory birds can strongly impact populations.

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>

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

Ganbold, Onolragchaa,Azua, John,Suuri, Buyandelger,Paik, In-Hwan,Khuderchuluun, Otgontsetseg,Paek, Woon Kee,Reading, Richard P. Elsevier Science B.V. Amsterdam 2017 Journal of Asia-Pacific biodiversity(Online) Vol.10 No.4

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>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 (<I>n</I> = 762) dropped by lesser kestrel (<I>Falco naumanni</I>) 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%).</P>

Conservation presence, not socioeconomics, leads to differences in pastoralist perceived threats to argali

wesley sarmento,Richard P. Reading 국립중앙과학관 2016 Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Vol.9 No.3

Community-based conservation approaches that keep people on landscapes increasingly complement preservationist models of reserves without people. Evaluations of community conservation have shown that economic incentives and socioeconomics primarily drive people’s attitudes and perceptions. Work at Mongolia’s Ikh Nart Nature Reserve demonstrates how to achieve successful conservation by integrating local people into the overall program. Using a short questionnaire, we interviewed pastoralist families across two soums (similar to a U.S. county) in Ikh Nart. We examined (1) pastoralists’ perceived threats to argali sheep (Ovis ammon), (2) socioeconomic differences among pastoralists, and (3) differences between pastoralists from different soums. We found that 15 years of conservation activities—education, research, and modest ecotourism—that occurred in the northern soum led to influences on people’s perceptions toward argali conservation. Compared with pastoralists from southern Ikh Nart, pastoralists from the northern part of the reserve more likely knew that argali are protected and understood primary threats to the species. Socioeconomic factors, such as age, sex, and wealth, did not significantly influence responses. The negligible economic incentives in Ikh Nart did not lead to response differences. Our results demonstrate that conservation can influence people across socioeconomic classes without providing large economic incentives.

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.

First identification ofParnassius apolloandP. nomion(Lepidoptera:Papilionidae) larval host plants in Mongoli

Gantigmaa Chuluunbaatar,Kathryn Hokamp,Richard P. Reading 국립중앙과학관 2020 Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Vol.13 No.4

We initiated a project to study the ecology ofP. apolloand the more common congenerP. nomion, whichis sympatric in Mongolia. One of our primary goals was to gather data onP. apolloandP. nomionbutterflyhabitat associations, including especially larval host plant species. We conducted our work in the borealtaiga forests of the Khentey Mountain Range in the southern Siberian ecological region of Mongolia. Wesystematically searched for suitable habitat for larvae and once we located caterpillars, we identified thehost plants and gathered data on habitat associations. We found bothP. apolloandP. nomioncaterpillarson host plants at several sites and evidence of eclosed pupae at a couple of sites, enabling us to identifythe host plants, a crucial piece of information needed to develop conservation programming and habitatmodeling. The host plant species were the stonecropsSedum aizoon,Sedum telephium(syn.Sedumpurpureum), andRhodiola rosea(syn.Sedum rosea). We further describe the habitat associations in whichwe found the caterpillars. For these butterfly species, the exact host plants in Mongolia remained un-known until we conducted this work.

Creating a model of habitat suitability using vegetation and ruggedness for Ovis ammon and Capra sibirica (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) in Mongolia

Nanette Bragin,Sukh Amgalanbaatar,Ganchimeg Wingard,Richard P. Reading 국립중앙과학관 2017 Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Vol.10 No.3

Spatially-explicit wildlife habitat models, such as a Habitat Suitability Index Model (HSIM), are increasingly used to understand optimal environmental conditions needed for a species survival and viability. HSIM compares different environmental variables, including vegetation, slope, and aspect to determine optimal habitat for a species. HSIM can compare a species’ use of resources with availability and determine risks for a species viability. Furthermore, decision makers can use HSIM to make decisions regarding resources needed for species of concern and development of protected areas. We used a geographic information system to create a HSIM for Argali sheep (Ovis ammon) and Siberian ibex (Capra siberica), species of conservation concern in Mongolia. We used vegetation and ruggedness layers and compared argali and ibex use with habitat availability. Argali and ibex presence correlated with three habitat classes: dense rock, low-density shrub, and short grass/forb. We found no significance in correlation for ruggedness.

Ecosystem engineering influence of Mongolian marmots (Marmota sibirica) on small mammal communities in Mongolia

Buyandelger Suuri,Otgonbayar Baatargal,Badamdorj Bayartogtokh,Richard P. Reading 국립중앙과학관 2022 Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Vol.15 No.2

Mongolian marmots (Marmota sibirica) live in colonies that consist of numerous burrows and are considered ecosystem engineers. Although once a common steppe species, marmots are now endangered due to overharvesting, which has led to concerns over the impacts of their loss on other species. The decline of marmots likely affected other species given their importance to the ecosystems they inhabit. To examine the role of marmots on small mammal, we established Sherman traps and drift fence arrays with associated pitfall and funnel traps on active marmot colonies, inactive colonies, and control sites in the forest-steppe and semi-desert zones of Mongolia. Overall, we identified 385 individuals representing 11 species of rodents and 1 species of bat in Ikh Nart and 149 individuals representing 2 species of rodents and 1 species of insectivore from Hustai. We found mixed results between diversity indices and abundance of small mammals on treatment and control sites, complicating the picture. During periods of greater precipitation and resulting higher vegetation cover, species abundance and the Shannon-Wiener, Simpson's, and evenness indices all changed significantly, suggesting that the effect of marmots on other species varies based on environmental conditions.

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%).