A new distribution record of Sichuan takin Budorcas taxicolor tibetana in Qinling Mountains in Shaanxi, China

摘要

Majiashan Nature Reserve in the end of southwestern Qinling mountains in Shaanxi locates in the confluent zone of Qinling and Minshan mountains. Historically, this region was recognized as the distribution area of the golden takin Budorcas taxicolor bedfordi. The distribution and population size of takin in the reserve were photographed and investigated by the transect method from October to November, 2004. . Activities of five takins (1 adult male, 2 adult females and 2 calves) in a group were observed at altitude 1 994 m.. The conformation of takins in this region showed no evident differences with B. t. bedfordi and B. t. tibetana. However, hair color was more similar to B. t. tibetana than B. t. bedfordi. Their nose and lip are black, parts in front of the shoulder apophysis were shallow red-yellow, parts behind the shoulder apophysis were grey-black, and the extremities of the legs were black. On this basis, takins in this area are assigned to the subspecies B. t. tibetana. At the reserve, takins move nearby mountain ridges at the confluent areas between the west of the reserve and Sichuan province and between the north of the reserve and Gansu province at an elevation 1 291 - 2 150 m. The mean altitude of 35 sites where takins occurred was 1 859.3±36.6 m (± SE). Foot-prints and pellet groups of takins were mostly found in the broadleaf deciduous forest and mixed coniferous and broadleaf deciduous forests above altitude 1 650 m. The population size of the takin in the reserve is estimated at 55 - 65 individuals. Human activities, damaged forest vegetation, and geographical separation by large river have isolated the takins [Acta Zoologica Sinica 51(4): 743–747, 2005].