Arabic tahr
| Arabic tahr | ||||||||||||
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Arabian tahr ( Arabitragus jayakari ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||||||
| Arabitragus | ||||||||||||
| Ropiquet & Hassanin , 2005 | ||||||||||||
| Scientific name of the species | ||||||||||||
| Arabitragus jayakari | ||||||||||||
| ( Thomas , 1894) |
The Arab Tahr ( Arabitragus jayakari ; partly Hemitragus jayakari ) is on the Arabian Peninsula living caprinae Paarhuferart.
features
Like all tahrs , the Arabian tahr has a goat-like appearance. With a weight of around 23 kilograms, it is the smallest Tahr species. He has a stocky build with strong legs and wide hooves that are good for climbing. The long, somewhat shaggy fur is reddish-brown, along the back there is a dark stripe. The neck is covered with a mane, the front legs have braids. Males and females have horns that curve backwards, while those of males are longer and thicker.
distribution and habitat
Arab Tahre inhabit the Hajar Mountains in the Sultanate of Oman and in the United Arab Emirates . Their habitat are dry, rocky mountain regions up to 1,800 meters above sea level.
Way of life
Arabian tahre are crepuscular or nocturnal animals. They feed on plants, including leaves, fruits, and grasses. In contrast to many other inhabitants of arid regions, they depend on regular drinking.
In contrast to the other animals, these animals do not live in herds, but rather solitary or in small family groups, which can consist of a female with offspring or a male, a female and a young animal. What is noticeable is the otherwise seldom developed territorial behavior among horn carriers : the territories are marked with urine, glandular secretions or scratch marks.
Little is known about reproduction. The births can probably take place all year round, the gestation period is 140 to 145 days.
threat
The threat to the Arabian Tires is competition from feral domestic goats , habitat destruction and poaching. Since these animals depend on regular drinking, poachers lie in wait for them at the few springs in the region. In 1975 part of the range in Oman was placed under protection, but the implementation of protection is inadequate and poaching continues to be a problem. Breeding programs in Oman and the United Arab Emirates are intended to ensure the continued existence of the species. The population is estimated at around 2000 animals, the IUCN lists the species as endangered . In the Wadi Wuraya sanctuary established in 2009, the United Arab Emirates recently enjoyed better protection.
Systematics
The Arabian tahr originally formed the genus Hemitragus together with the Himalayan and Nilgiri tahr , which then included all tahrs . According to molecular genetic investigations by Ropiquet and Hassanin 2005, however, the tahre are not very closely related and a common genus cannot therefore be maintained. According to these studies, the Arabian tahr is more closely related to the mane jumpers , so the authors suggested placing the species in its own genus, Arabitragus .
literature
- Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 2 volumes. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD et al. 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
- Anne Ropiquet, Alexandre Hassanin: Molecular evidence for the polyphyly of the genus Hemitragus (Mammalia, Bovidae). In: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. Vol. 36, No. 1, 2005, ISSN 1055-7903 , pp. 154-168, online .
Web links
- Photos and further information
- Arabitragus jayakari in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2006. Posted by: Caprinae Specialist Group, 1996. Accessed on 12/08/2007.