Foraging Ecology and Diurnal Activity Patterns of Klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus) in Yetefet Woyenat Forest, East Gojjam, Ethiopia

Melaku Bireda,Mesele Yihune

doi:10.1155/2020/4930915

Abstract

The foraging ecology and diurnal activity patterns of the klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus) were studied in Yetefet Woyenat Forest from September 2017 to August 2018 during the dry and wet seasons. Data were collected by visual observation using focal and scan sampling methods. The result indicated that klipspringers were observed feeding on grasses, herbs, trees, and shrubs, but were primarily browsers during both wet and dry seasons. Carissa edulis was the most consumed plant species in the study area, followed by Rosa abyssinica and Maytenus arbutifolia. Despite moderate ambient temperatures, klipspringers were mostly active during early morning and late afternoon, feeding 45.56% of the daylight hours during the dry season and 43.75% during the wet season. Klipspringers were facing threats due to human activities in the study area. Thus, appropriate conservation measures should be taken to reduce disturbance of their ecology.

Highlights

Klipspringers are active during both the day and night but are considered mostly active during early morning and late afternoon. roughout the remainder of the day, they tend to hide in the shade to avoid the heat
The aim of the present study is to investigate the foraging ecology and activity patterns of the species in this area of East Gojjam, Ethiopia. e study will enhance our knowledge of foraging ecology and activity patterns of klipspringers and contribute to the conservation of the species in the area
Klipspringers were observed feeding on 8 different plant species belonging to 7 families during the whole study period (Table 1). e species consumed were grasses, herbs, trees, and shrubs. e shrub Carissa edulis was the most consumed plant species which accounted for 23.5% during the dry season followed by the shrubs Rosa abyssinica (20.6%) and Gymnopsoria arbutifolia (19.6%). e grasses Andropogon gayanus (1.9%) and Oplismenus compositus (2.9%) were the least consumed plant species. ere was a significant statistical difference in food items consumed during the dry season (χ2 38.55, df 7, P < 0.0001)

Summary

Introduction

Klipspringers are active during both the day and night but are considered mostly active during early morning and late afternoon. roughout the remainder of the day, they tend to hide in the shade to avoid the heat. They remain active throughout the day [7]. Klipspringers remain in close proximity and are aware of each other’s behaviour and location, actual contact between members is quite rare [8]. Studying foraging ecology and activity patterns of klipspringers is crucial to develop appropriate monitoring protocols and eventually better management strategies. Understanding of the foraging behaviour of a species becomes a fundamental step in understanding the biology of the species and more precisely its ecological niche [10]. The aim of the present study is to investigate the foraging ecology and activity patterns of the species in this area of East Gojjam, Ethiopia. E study will enhance our knowledge of foraging ecology and activity patterns of klipspringers and contribute to the conservation of the species in the area The aim of the present study is to investigate the foraging ecology and activity patterns of the species in this area of East Gojjam, Ethiopia. e study will enhance our knowledge of foraging ecology and activity patterns of klipspringers and contribute to the conservation of the species in the area

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion