Biodiversity in Mongolia, Photos

Pictures of wildlife in Mongolia in 2007

Frontmatter

Frontmatter from Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei (2005) band 9

Book and Conference Announcements

Announcements of books and a conference in Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei, band 9, 2005

Frontmatter

Frontmatter from Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei (2005) band 9

Book and Conference Announcements

Announcements of books and a conference in Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei, band 9, 2005

Geographical Distribution of the Genus \u3ci\u3eMesobuthus\u3c/i\u3e (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Mongolia

In the present study, we surveyed the diversity of scorpions in six provinces of Mongolia (Bayankhongor, Khovd, Dundgovi, Dornogovi, Govisümber and Ömnögovi) between 2001 and 2012. A total of 385 individuals were collected at 17 different sites. In addition to opportunistic sampling, animals were collected after detection with ultraviolet light. Only species from the genus Mesobuthus have been reported from Mongolia thus far. It was possible to confirm the occurrence of the species Mesobuthus eupeus mongolicus and report the presence of M. martensii martensii for the first time. We could not confirm the presence of M. caucasicus przewalskii and suggest that it does not occur in the country, since earlier records originated from present-day China. We provide initial information on the ecology of the two species we identified. Individuals of M. eupeus mongolicus from western Mongolia have a darker pigmentation of the metasomal segments I-IV than individuals from central or southern Mongolia

Records of Hippoboscidae from Mongolian Birds of Prey with Checklist, Update

The hippoboscid species Ornithophila gestroi has been rediscovered from Mongolia. It is the easternmost of all the known occurrences. Specimens were collected from Amur Falcon Falco amurensis, Saker Falcon Falco cherrug, Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni, Eurasian Hobby, Falco subbuteo, Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Linnaeus, 1758 and Black Kite Milvus migrans in a breeding area located in southern Mongolia. Amur Falcon, Eurasian Hobby and Black Kite were identified as hosts of O. gestroi for the first time

Characteristics of Mongolian Wild Ass Hooves (\u3ci\u3eEquus hemionus hemionus\u3c/i\u3e)

Measurements of hoof angles, hoof length, toe length, etc., and non-metrical hoof characters of Mongolian Wild Ass carcasses collected in in the South Gobi and in Bordzongijn-Gobi desert are presented. Khulan hooves are flat, wide and look big in relation to the animal’s dimensions. Remarkably is the wide variability in size, angles, in non metric characteristics like shape, color and the occurrence of particularly prolonged hoof wall and flaring walls. For example, toe angles are 52° for front and 54° for hind hooves on average. This measures and the suggested graphical model of the „ideal hoof shape“ can assist to understand equine hoof morphology and to choose proper hoof care methods for domestic equids as well as for zoo-living wild equids

Mitochondrial genomes reveal slow rates of molecular evolution and the timing of speciation in beavers (Castor), one of the largest rodent species

BACKGROUND: Beavers are one of the largest and ecologically most distinct rodent species. Little is known about their evolution and even their closest phylogenetic relatives have not yet been identified with certainty. Similarly, little is known about the timing of divergence events within the genus Castor. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We sequenced complete mitochondrial genomes from both extant beaver species and used these sequences to place beavers in the phylogenetic tree of rodents and date their divergence from other rodents as well as the divergence events within the genus Castor. Our analyses support the phylogenetic position of beavers as a sister lineage to the scaly tailed squirrel Anomalurus within the mouse related clade. Molecular dating places the divergence time of the lineages leading to beavers and Anomalurus as early as around 54 million years ago (mya). The living beaver species, Castor canadensis from North America and Castor fiber from Eurasia, although similar in appearance, appear to have diverged from a common ancestor more than seven mya. This result is consistent with the hypothesis that a migration of Castor from Eurasia to North America as early as 7.5 mya could have initiated their speciation. We date the common ancestor of the extant Eurasian beaver relict populations to around 210,000 years ago, much earlier than previously thought. Finally, the substitution rate of Castor mitochondrial DNA is considerably lower than that of other rodents. We found evidence that this is correlated with the longer life span of beavers compared to other rodents. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: A phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial genome sequences suggests a sister-group relationship between Castor and Anomalurus, and allows molecular dating of species divergence in congruence with paleontological data. The implementation of a relaxed molecular clock enabled us to estimate mitochondrial substitution rates and to evaluate the effect of life history traits on it

First Results of Wild Ass Research in the South Gobi Aymag/Mongolia in 2003 and 2004

The population of the Mongolian wild ass belongs to the nominate form Equus hemionus hemionus described by Pallas in 1775. This species is adapted to semidesert habitats in the Gobi region and is listed in the Red Book of Mongolia as well as on appendix I of the Washington Convention (CITES). Mapping of the northern border of the distributional range showed a remarkable decrease in size in comparison to the maps of Murzaev (1954) or Bannikov (1954). The pressure of civilization, settlements, motorization, and increasing numbers of domestic livestock in connection with the occupation of water resources and illegal hunting are the main reasons for the decrease of population density of Dschiggetajs in the neighborhood of herdsmen. Nearly 100% of the studied dead animals were poached. It can be assumed that thousands of killed wild asses can be found in the Gobi zone. Analysis of the population structure of 1830 alive wild asses resulted in a reproduction rate of 23% in September/October 2003. In July 2004 out of at total of 3,387 observed Dschiggetajs 611 were foals, therefore reproduction rate was 21.2%. First coprological investigations showed a high level of endoparasites. The collected material is a valuable basis for morphometric and genetic analysis in the near future. We will study the age structure of the found skeletons and the genetic diversity of Equus hemionus. At the other hand possibilities for a better protection and management have to be discussed with all experts, local authorities of nature conservation services, organizations of Somons and Aymags, as well as in the international context. This includes management of water resources, new wildlife reserves, control of hunting weapons and a higher protection by national law