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<p>Understanding dietary habits of animals is crucial for conservation, particularly for endangered species such as the Mongolian saiga (<i>Saiga tatarica mongolica</i>), which coexists with livestock year-round in the Great Lakes Depressions of western Mongolia. This study aims to investigate the dietary composition of Mongolian saiga, and livestock, and assess their seasonal dietary overlap. Microhistological analysis was conducted on feces samples from Mongolian saiga (n = 124) and livestock (n = 476) collected in spring, summer, autumn, and winter of 2023–2024. Saiga diets comprised 48 plant species from 21 genera, while livestock diets varied by species: goats consumed 37 species from 18 genera, sheep 36 from 18, camels 28 from 13, and horses 23 from 11. Saiga exhibited mixed feeding habits (25–75% grasses), whereas sheep, goats, and camels were primarily browsers (&lt; 25% grasses), and horses were grazers (&gt; 75% grasses). The saiga’s diet showed greater species richness, dietary diversity, and niche breadth compared to livestock, likely due to their free-ranging behavior, while livestock diets are managed by herders. Among ruminants (saiga, sheep, and goats), dietary overlap was greater than with pseudo and non-ruminants (camels and horses), reflecting similarities in digestive systems. Overlap between saiga and livestock was highest in spring and autumn, aligning with herders’ seasonal movement patterns. The saiga's adaptive ability to utilize a diverse range of plant resources, which helps in reducing dietary overlap and competition with livestock, provides critical insights for conserving this endangered population as less likely to compete with livestock on diet.</p>

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Seasons of sustenance: unveiling the dietary patterns of Mongolian saiga and livestock

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年3月4日

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  • Bayarmaa Chuluunbat,
  • Nyambayar Batbayar,
  • Bayarbaatar Buuveibaatar,
  • Batsaikhan Nyamsuren,
  • Munkhtogtokh Ochirjav,
  • Gantulga Bayandonoi,
  • Badamdorj Bayartogtokh

摘要

Understanding dietary habits of animals is crucial for conservation, particularly for endangered species such as the Mongolian saiga (Saiga tatarica mongolica), which coexists with livestock year-round in the Great Lakes Depressions of western Mongolia. This study aims to investigate the dietary composition of Mongolian saiga, and livestock, and assess their seasonal dietary overlap. Microhistological analysis was conducted on feces samples from Mongolian saiga (n = 124) and livestock (n = 476) collected in spring, summer, autumn, and winter of 2023–2024. Saiga diets comprised 48 plant species from 21 genera, while livestock diets varied by species: goats consumed 37 species from 18 genera, sheep 36 from 18, camels 28 from 13, and horses 23 from 11. Saiga exhibited mixed feeding habits (25–75% grasses), whereas sheep, goats, and camels were primarily browsers (< 25% grasses), and horses were grazers (> 75% grasses). The saiga’s diet showed greater species richness, dietary diversity, and niche breadth compared to livestock, likely due to their free-ranging behavior, while livestock diets are managed by herders. Among ruminants (saiga, sheep, and goats), dietary overlap was greater than with pseudo and non-ruminants (camels and horses), reflecting similarities in digestive systems. Overlap between saiga and livestock was highest in spring and autumn, aligning with herders’ seasonal movement patterns. The saiga's adaptive ability to utilize a diverse range of plant resources, which helps in reducing dietary overlap and competition with livestock, provides critical insights for conserving this endangered population as less likely to compete with livestock on diet.