Barbary Sheep Ammotragus Lervia Research Articles

Strangers Coming from the Sahara: An Update of the Worldwide Distribution, Potential Impacts and Conservation Opportunities of Alien Aoudad

Biological invasions are considered one of the main causes of the current global biodiversity crisis. Many ungulate species have been introduced worldwide, mainly as game animals or e.g. as an attraction in suburban parks. We compiled the available information on distribution, abundance and ecology of the aoudad Ammotragus lervia outside its native range. We showed that the aoudad has established a number of populations in many countries outside its natural range. Alien nuclei have been recorded in at least 10 countries in Europe, Africa and America but it may be an underestimation. Establishment success differs geographically. North American and Spanish populations are large and still expanding, whereas others are small. This difference might be related to a large propagule pressure, but we suggest it might be due to multiple introduction events or better niche suitability. Information on potential impacts of alien populations on natural systems, human activities and disease spread is still scarce. Despi...

Confirmation of free-ranging Barbary sheep Ammotragus lervia in Dghoumes National Park and Boukornine National Park, Tunisia

Confirmation of free-ranging Barbary sheep <i>Ammotragus lervia</i> in Dghoumes National Park and Boukornine National Park, Tunisia

Update of the distribution and status of the aoudad Ammotragus lervia (Bovidae, Caprini) in Tunisia

Abstract The distribution and status of the aoudad Ammotragus lervia in Tunisia is reported. The species occupies rocky craggy terrain from 334 to 1544 m in three main habitat types: forests of the Tunisian dorsal, steppes in the mountain ranges of central Tunisia, and desert tabular heights in the south of the country. Five populations are currently subject to monitoring in Tunisia, the most stable ones living free-ranging at the Chambi National Park and in captivity at the Nature Reserve Oued Dekouk. The whole country population does not exceed 700–800 individuals, severely fragmented and mainly located in protected areas. Poaching and loss of forage and habitat due to overgrazing by domestic animals are the main threats of Tunisian aoudads. Following the IUCN criteria it should be classified as Endangered (EN) B1. The sustainability of aoudad populations basically depends on the long-term viability of protected areas and the establishment of urgent conservation measures, including reintroductions and the prevention of poaching and overgrazing by domestic animals.

Food habits of the aoudad Ammotragus lervia in the Bou Hedma mountains, Tunisia

A micro-histological analysis of composite faecal samples was used to determine the food plants consumed by the aoudad Ammotragus lervia (Barbary sheep) in the mountains of Bou Hedma National Park, as well as to study food preferences and seasonal variation of the diet of this ungulate. A total of 19 plant species was identified in the faecal samples: 8 grasses, 6 browse types and 5 forbs. The annual diet of this ungulate is composed of approximately 67% grasses, 17% browse and 16% forbs. Two grass species, Stipa parviflora and Stipa tenacissima, comprised 97% of grasses consumed and 63% of the annual diet, and were eaten in the year with considerably greater frequency than any other plant species. The diet of the aoudad at Bou Hedma National Park showed a seasonal variation. For example, grasses were consumed the entire year with a preference in spring (72.57%) and summer (78.31%), but their occurrence in the diet dropped in winter (38.7%). Browse was eaten preferentially in autumn (21.86%) and forbs were utilised most during winter (43.22%) and least during summer (7.53%). Our results show the plasticity of the Tunisian aoudad’s diet and identify it predominantly as a grazer.

Contrasting feeding patterns of native red deer and two exotic ungulates in a Mediterranean ecosystem

Context Ungulates have been widely introduced in multiple ecosystems throughout the world due to their value as food and for sport hunting. The identification of foraging preferences of exotic and native ungulates living in sympatry is, therefore, becoming increasingly important in order to assess potential impacts of introduced animals on the host ecosystem. Aims To describe species-specific foraging strategies and infer resource selection overlap between native and exotic ungulates. Methods We compared the trophic ecology of three sympatric ungulate species living in a Mediterranean landscape: the native Iberian red deer Cervus elaphus hispanicus, and two exotic bovids, the European mouflon Ovis orientalis musimon and the aoudad Ammotragus lervia. We simultaneously determined herbivore diet through analyses of botanical content in faeces and assessed the nutritional content of these diets. Key results Higher selection of shrubs by deer was sustained throughout the year, while bovids showed seasonal shifts in forage selection. Both bovids displayed a selective dietary strategy directed towards a higher overall nutritional quality than that of deer. Divergent exploitation patterns between the studied cervid and bovids might be related to body mass and physiological adaptations to overcome secondary defence compounds of shrubs, and were largely affected by seasonal changes in the nutritional value of available vegetation. Ecological theory suggests that diet overlap should be greater between similar-sized species. Indeed, both exotics showed similar, sometimes overlapping, dietary patterns that could lead to potential competition in the use of resources. Native red deer preferences only showed some overlap with those of exotic mouflon under constrained summer conditions. Conclusions Dietary overlap between deer and mouflon and between aoudad and mouflon during limiting summer conditions could entail a potential competitive interaction under more even densities of the study species, since a concurrent habitat overlap between those pairs of species has previously been reported. Implications The outcomes of our study suggest the need for an integration of habitat and ungulate management. Management actions in Mediterranean rangelands should be directed towards protecting habitat conditions so that biodiversity is enhanced along with the presence of sustainable communities of large herbivores. Management directed towards ungulates should maintain moderate stocking rates and monitor and control introduced and native populations.

Reduced horn size in two wild trophy‐hunted species of Caprinae

AbstractFactors affecting horn size in wild Caprinae are of biological and socio‐economic interest because several species are selectively harvested on the basis of this heritable character. We analysed temporal trends in horn size in two mountain ungulates from south‐eastern Spain, the Iberian wild goat Capra pyrenaica and the aoudad Ammotragus lervia. Trophy harvest is the main way in which these two species are exploited, although ‘poor‐quality’ aoudads are also selectively removed. In recent years, both populations have suffered drastic decreases in number due to outbreaks of sarcoptic mange that led to the suspension of hunting for several years. Horn length in harvested male wild goats and aoudads declined during our study period. Over an 18‐year period, the mean age of male goats shot as trophies rose by four years, while the age of trophy‐harvested aoudads decreased by around six months over a 9‐year period. Age and environmental conditions during the first few years of life explained 20% of variance in horn size in Iberian wild goat and 53% in aoudad. Population density early in life explained much of the reduction in goat horn size over time. Nevertheless, the major fall in population densities after the sarcoptic mange outbreaks did not lead to a recovery in horn size in either species. We suggest that the selective removal of large‐horned animals may contribute to a decline in horn size. Other factors that may also explain the observed pattern include changes in interspecific competition, long‐lasting maternal effects and reduced carrying capacity due to overgrazing during high density periods. Unfortunately, our data sets did not allow us to account for the possible effects of these factors.

Range expansion of an exotic ungulate (Ammotragus lervia) in southern Spain: ecological and conservation concerns

Evidence of aoudad Ammotragus lervia expansion in the southeastern quarter of the Iberian Peninsula is provided based on recent field surveys. Aoudad has become common in a limited region of the southeast of Spain since its introduction as a game species in Sierra Espuna Natural Park in 1970. Its adaptability enabled it to colonise nearby areas in a short period. Apart from this source of expansion, the increasing number of aoudads in Spanish private game reserves provided other centres of dispersion. In addition, aoudads were introduced on La Palma Island (Canary Islands), becoming a serious threat to endemic flora. Of great conservation concern is the species' potential as a competitor against native ungulates inhabiting the peninsula. Surveys conducted in southern Spain documented rapid colonization of new areas and established viable populations, consisting of adult males and females and the unequivocal presence of nursery groups, in the provinces of Alicante, Almeria, Granada and Murcia. Also, aoudads have spread throughout the north and centre of La Palma. There are two main conservational concerns: the necessity of conducting detailed and reliable surveys in all potential regions where the species might expand, and the urgent need of changing current game policies in order to establish reliable controls on big game reserves to prevent animals from escaping.

Decline of the Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia) in Egypt during the 20th century: literature review and recent observations

AbstractAt the beginning of the 19th century, the Barbary sheep Ammotragus lervia was still present throughout the whole of Egypt except for the Sinai region. However, by the beginning of the 20th century it had disappeared from the Nile Delta region and from the Faiyum Oasis. In 1950 it was still present in the extreme south‐east and in a small stretch of land in the Eastern Desert, and in half of the Western Desert. Today it is found only in the extreme south‐east (Gebel Elba) and the extreme south‐west (Gebel Uweinat and/or Gilf El Kebir) of the country. This sharp decrease in the distribution area of Ammotragus lervia is the result of intensive hunting by humans. The Barbary sheep of Gebel Elba now live in a region that has been designated a national park, which offers some protection. The Barbary sheep populations in the Uweinat/Gilf El Kebir area is in rapid decline, and it is now urgent that the Egyptian government enforce effective conservation measures to safeguard the last wild populations of Barbary sheep still present in its territory.

New observations of the ‘extinct’ Barbary sheep Ammotragus lervia ornata in Egypt

The Barbary sheep or aoudad Ammotragus lervia is widely distributed in the mountains of the Sahara and North Africa. The 2000 IUCN Red List assessment of the Egyptian subspecies A. l. ornata categorized this taxon as Extinct in the Wild. We present new evidence, collected during 1997–2000, that this subspecies is extant in both the extreme south-east and south-west of Egypt, and reassess the status of captive aoudad in Egypt. We recommend that the category of A. l. ornata on the IUCN Red List be changed to Critically Endangered, that conservation of wild aoudad in Egypt be prioritized, and that the subspecific status of both the wild and captive stocks in Egypt be reassessed.

Status and distribution of Moroccan wild ungulates

The historic and current distributions and statuses of Morocco's native and introduced wild ungulates, except the boar Sus scrofa, are reported. Suggestions for conservation are included. Three species have been extirpated in Moroccan territory. The last reported hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus were shot in 1925. Addax Addax nasomaculatus and oryx Oryx gazella dammah lived south of the Sequiat al Hamra and were probably extirpated by 1960. Habitat destruction and poaching threaten remaining species. Barbary sheep Ammotragus lervia are dispersed in scattered groups in all chains of the Atlas Mountains. Dorcas gazelles Gazella dorcas roam east of the Atlas and south of the Anti Atlas Mountains; only one wild population exists in Morocco's interior. Cuvier's gazelles Gazella cuvieri remain in three disjunct areas: the northern Middle Atlas, western High Atlas, and Anti Atlas mountains. Dama gazelle Gazella dama might still live south of the Oued Draa. Red deer Cervus elaphus did not live in Morocco in historic times. The subspecies bolivari has been introduced in the Rif mountains. Both sika deer C. nippon and fallow deer C. dama have been introduced, but free-roaming populations do not at present exist.

Ammotragus lervia: barbary sheep or barbary goat?

1. 1. Thirty blood proteins from one aoudad Ammotragus lervia, 15 goats, Capra hircus, and 302 sheep, Ovis aries, have been examined by electrophoresis in acrylamide and starch gel. 2. 2. Ammotragus has 5 distinctly sheep-like biochemical characters, 5 goat-like characters, 7 characters in common with both sheep and goat, and 10 unique characters. 3. 3. Several protein markers differ in electrophoretic mobility in this set of three species and, thus, are potentially useful in further studies: transferrin, minor serum proteins observed in acrylamide gradient gels, slow α 2-macroglobulin, caeruloplasmin, serum glucosidase, “malic enzyme”, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, erythrocyte NADH diaphorases I and II, glucose-phosphate isomerase and superoxide dismutase. 4. 4. Among ovicaprines, serum aryl-esterase and cholinesterase display variability in substrate specificity than in electrophoretic mobility. Ammotragus serum cholinesterase may be more primitive than either sheep or goat cholinesterase in that it is more active on butyrylthiocholine and on α-naphthyl acetate.

Ammotragus lervia: Progenitor of the domesticated sheep or specialized offshoot of caprine evolution?

Data on haemoglobin do not support suggestions that the aoudadAmmotragus lervia is close to a hypothetical ancestor to the genusOvis in general or to the domesticated sheepOvis aries in particular.Ammotragus haemoglobin is more like that from the domestic goatCapra hircus than that from the domestic sheepOvis aries, but also shows some unique characteristics, perhaps more specialized than primitive.