Natural diet and food habitat use of the Tarim red deer, Cervus elaphus yarkandensis

摘要: In order to determine the natural diet and food habitat use of Tarim red deer (Cervus elaphus yarkandensis), a study was carried out in Qiemo, Xinjiang, China from October 2000 June 2001. Direct observation combined with faecal analysis method used deer. 15 different species plant were identified as items. Among them, 13 plants winter 9 summer. Red consumed wider range because their nutrient requirement well shortage scarcity high-quality forage area. Phragmites communis, Glycyrrhiza inflata populus diversifolia frequently present deer’s whenever communis most abundant area included diet. Observation on selection frequency captive showed that Populus first preferred species. However, this limited Five types found according association: (1) communis-Tamarix ramosissima association, (2) Tamarix ramosissima-Halostachys caspica (3) ramosissima-Phragmites (4) diversifolia-Phragmites (5) Burned association (reed meadow reed marsh) other within summer winter. Dense cover could reduce chance detection predator obstruct attack predator. Furthermore, under reed, protected direct solar radiation during hours hot day The marsh preferred, presumably minimize movements while searching for food, water cover.