Budorcas bedfordi (Thomas, 1911)
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https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6512484 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6636913 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03F50713-9928-FF93-03DB-FB5AF8DEFD65 |
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Conny |
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scientific name |
Budorcas bedfordi |
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Golden Takin
French: Takin doré / German: Goldtakin / Spanish: Takin dorado
Taxonomy. Budorcas taxicolor bedford: Thomas, 1911 ,
Tai-pei Shan, S Shaanxi, China.
Usually classified as a subspecies of B. taxicolor . The four takin species are differentiated on the basis of body color and mtDNA analysis of Chinese populations. Monotypic.
Distribution. C China (Quinling Range, S Shaanxi). View Figure
Descriptive notes. Head-body ¢.170-220 cm, tail 7-12 cm, shoulder height ¢.107-140 cm; weight ¢.150-350 kg. Horn length up to 64 cm (males), horn basal girth up to 38 cm (males), horn tip-to-tip spread up to 91 cm (males). Horns grow vertically in the form of a short, thickened horn base, then curve outward and backward, with tips upward. Adult male body pelage is shaggy and creamy white to golden yellow with distinctly golden hair on the neck and chest of adult males. Golden Takins usually have black hairs on muzzle, knees, hock, and tail.
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Habitat. Golden Takins occur at elevations of 1300-2800 m in diverse plant communities, depending on elevation. A mixed coniferous and broadleaf deciduous forest predominates at 1000-2200 m, a subalpine coniferous zone occurs at 2200-2900 m, and subalpine meadows above ¢. 2750 m. They use salt licks, and these sites influence their movement patterns and the location and size of their home ranges.
Food and Feeding. Golden Takins feed on 161 plant species and are primarily browsers, with twigs, shoots, stems, leaves, and bark important dietary components.
Breeding. Mating occurs in June-August, and calves are born in February-March. Females reach sexual maturity at 4-5 years and males at 5-5 years. Gestation is about 220 days. Birth sites are in deciduous broadleaf or mixed coniferous and broadleafforests, high on south-facing slopes (2000-2404 m) with less than 5% snow cover, or in thick bamboo communities or against a steep slope. Females give birth in female herds and do not segregate newborns. Calves are able to follow their mothers soon after birth. Longevity in the wild is about 16 years.
Activity patterns. During spring and summer, Golden Takins are most active feeding, standing, and walking at about 06:00-08:00 h, 10:00-12:00 h, and 18:00-20:00 h. There is one active peak at night at 00:00-01:00 h. They most actively feed at 06:00-07:00 h and 18:30-19:30 h. Predation is not a major mortality factor.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. Elevational movements occur four times a year. Takins remain at 2200-2800 m in summer (June-August), in winter (December—March) at 1900-2400 m, and at lower elevations, between 1400 m and 1900 m, for short periods in spring (April-May) and autumn (September-November). Solar radiation and vegetation phenology are the factors that instigate these seasonal movements. Mean seasonal home ranges of four takins were 19-5 km? in summer, 22 km? in autumn, and 11 km? in winter. Within a nature reserve, mean group size of herds was 10-8 takins, with a maximum herd size of 59. Fifty percent of the animals were in herds larger than 15, and 53% of groups had more than one adult female. Mean group size of herds formed by adults with subadults or calves was 14-8, and 63-3% of herds had more than one subadult or calf. Only one all-male herd was recorded. The adult sex ratio was 49 males:100 females. The population consisted of 17-3% males, 35-4% females, 35% subadults, and 12-:2% calves. In another study, mixed group composition was unstable because subadults moved between herds. Home ranges of subadult females were larger than those of adult females. Solitary individuals were common, especially during the mating season. Densities were 1-29-1-56 ind/km? in a high-density population within a protected area, but the range of densities in the Qinling Mountains was 0-14-0-22 ind/km?*.
Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix II (under B. taxicolor ). Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List (as B. t. bedfordi). Total population is ¢.5000. Most takins occur in protected areas. Human encroachment and disturbance due to roads and poaching are concerns, as well as habitat loss and fragmentation even within nature reserves. Addditional protected areas and enlargement of existing areas are needed. Strict enforcement of wildlife and habitat protection laws are a priority.
Bibliography. Groves & Grubb (2011), Grubb (2005), MacKinnon (2008), Neas & Hoffmann (1987), Simpson & Epley (2002), Song Yanling et al. (2000), Wang Xuezhi et al. (2005), Zeng Zhigao & Song Yanling (2001, 2002), Zeng Zhigao, Beck et al. (2010), Zeng Zhigao, Skidmore et al. (2008), Zeng Zhigao, Song Yanling & Gong Huisheng (1998), Zeng Zhigao, Song Yanling, Zhong Wengin et al. (2001), Zeng Zhigao, Zhong Wenqin, Song Yanling, Li Junsheng & Guo Feng (2002), Zeng Zhigao, Zhong Wengin, Song Yanling, Li Junsheng, Zhao Leigang & Gong Huisheng (2003).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
