Feeding Ecology of the Cuvier's Gazelle (Gazella cuvieri, Ogilby, 1841) in the Sahara Desert
Herrera-Sánchez, F. Javier (Universidad de Granada. Departamento de Zoología)
López Garrido, Omar (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Grup de Recerca Wildlife Ecology & Health)
Rodríguez-Siles, Javier (Harmusch, Study and Conservation of Wildlife)
Díaz-Portero, Miguel Ángel (Harmusch, Study and Conservation of Wildlife)
Arredondo, Ángel (Harmusch, Study and Conservation of Wildlife)
Sáez, Juan Manuel (Harmusch, Study and Conservation of Wildlife)
Álvarez, Begoña (Harmusch, Study and Conservation of Wildlife)
Cancio, Inmaculada (Harmusch, Study and Conservation of Wildlife)
de Lucas, Jesús (Harmusch, Study and Conservation of Wildlife)
Pérez, Joaquín (Harmusch, Study and Conservation of Wildlife)
Valenzuela, Gerardo (Harmusch, Study and Conservation of Wildlife)
Martínez-Valderrama, Jaime (Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas)
Sánchez-Cerdá, Mariola (Harmusch, Study and Conservation of Wildlife)
Qninba, Abdeljebbar (Institut Scientifique, Mohammed V University in Rabat. Laboratoire de Géo-Biodiversité et Patrimoine Naturel)
Virgós, Emilio (Universidad Rey Juan Carlos. Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica)
Calleja, Juan Antonio (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Bartolomé, Jordi (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments)
Albanell Trullas, Elena (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Grup de Recerca en Remugants (G2R))
Serrano Ferron, Emmanuel (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Grup de Recerca Wildlife Ecology & Health)
Abáigar, Teresa (Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas)
Gil-Sánchez, Jose María (Universidad de Granada. Departamento de Zoología)

Data:	2023
Resum:	The Sahara desert is home to the greatest diversity of ungulates of all deserts. In this harsh environment, the endangered Cuvier's gazelle finds at the southernmost limit of its distribution a key population for its survival. A better understanding of the feeding ecology of the species may improve our understanding of the biological requirements for implementing conservation measures. In this study, we analysed the diet and feeding strategy of a desert population by combining different approaches such as faecal sampling, recording indirect signs of feeding, and direct observations of individuals. Our results revealed that Cuvier's gazelles displayed a feeding behaviour similar to that of browsing ruminants, with acacias as key species for the survival of the species in the harsh environment of the Sahara. Consequently, the current increasing grazing pressure in remote areas and on acacias calls for measures to mitigate this emerging and possibly worsening impact due to imminent climate change. Knowledge of the feeding ecology of ungulates in arid biomes offers an interesting model for understanding the drought resistance of large desert-adapted herbivores, a crucial issue in the face of increasing desertification due to climate change. To assess the feeding ecology of the endangered Cuvier's gazelle (Gazella cuvieri) in the Sahara desert, we used a multi-method approach combining faecal samples, direct observations, and the recording of indirect signs of feeding. We hypothesised that browser behaviour is the best foraging strategy for species living in hyper-arid environments, mainly due to long periods without grazing opportunities. Complementarily, we explored the effects of the main environmental descriptors (rainfalls and NDVI) on feeding patterns and diet quality. We found that Cuvier's diets are based mainly on acacias (Vachellia tortilis, V. flava) and occasionally on the annual forb Anastatica hierochuntica. In total, eighteen species (five trees, nine shrubs, three herbs, and one grass) belonging to fifteen families were recorded. Our result confirmed the browsers' characteristic of this species, reaffirming its ability to settle in a hostile environment. Acacias stand out as key species consumed at the southernmost limit of their range; hence, future conservation plans and strategies should take this into account for the survival of Cuvier's gazelle in desert environments.
Nota:	Altres ajuts: Fundació Zoo Barcelona PRIC 2017
Drets:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Llengua:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Matèria:	Gazella cuvieri ; Climatic change ; Diet ; Deserts ecology ; Sahara ; Wild ungulates ; Wildlife conservation ; Acacia
Publicat a:	Animals, Vol. 13 (february 2023) , ISSN 2076-2615

DOI: 10.3390/ani13040567
PMID: 36830354

15 p, 2.9 MB

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Documents de recerca > Documents dels grups de recerca de la UAB > Centres i grups de recerca (producció científica) > Ciències de la salut i biociències > Grup de recerca Wildlife Ecology & Health
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