Abstract
Presently, thirty five species of ungulates occur in northern China. Some species are threatened or endangered. There are three species of Equidae (E. przewalskii, E. hemionus, E. kiang), one of Suidae (Sus scrofa), one of Camelidae (Camelus bactrianus), 14 species of Cervidae (with the genera Moschus, Elaphus, Cervus, Elaphurus, Alces, Rangifer, Capreolus) and 16 species of Bovidae (within the genera Bos, Gazella, Procapra, Pantholops, Saiga, Nemorhaedus, Capricornis, Budorcas, Capra, Pseudois, Ovis). They inhabit different biotopes, i.e. temperate mountain forest and steppe, temperate desert and semi-desert, and vast alpine ranges. Ungulate fossils are widespread in China evidencing that Asia was an evolutionary centre for some ungulates. Although new data have been gathered through research efforts in China since 1949 it is a fact that some ungulate species have suffered serious population set-backs and some have become endangered or even extinct. Detailed studies of ungulate populations and protection of habitats are now most important future research needs.
Highlights
NorthernChina is a region of varied topograp h y
The purpose of this paper is to introduce the contemporary ungulates of northern China and their eco-geographical distribution
About half of the fossil species can be referred to Bovidae
Summary
NorthernChina is a region of varied topograp h y. It holds extensive mountains, steppes, deserts, forests and highlands and its mammalian fauna belongs to the Palaearctic. AlthoughChina shares ungulate species with other Asian countries, there are some ungulates endemic to northern China. Before 1949, foreign mammalogists studied the animals of China and made some important discoveries e.g. Milne-Edwards (1866); Lydecker (1916); Pocock (1902, 1913, 1918); Brobrinski & Flerov (1934) and Allen (1940) investigated and reported on ungulates of northern China. After 1949, Chinese scientists continued the mammal studies: Shaw (1962); W a n g et al (1962); G a o (1963); G u & G a o (1985); C a i (1988); W u (1990); Ohtaishi & G a o (1990) published about ungulate classification, ecology, anatomy, and zoogeography
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