Chinkara Research Articles

Noninvasive assessment of gastrointestinal parasites infection in free-ranging wild herbivores and adjoining livestock of Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Aim:This study was conducted to know the epidemiology of gastrointestinal parasites of free-ranging wild herbivores and adjoining livestock of Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India.Materials and Methods:A total of 374 fecal samples from wild herbivores (Chital Axis axis - 123, Sambar Rusa unicolor - 94, Nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus - 86, and Chinkara Gazella bennettii - 71) and 284 fecal samples of domestic herbivores (cattle - 118, buffalo - 78, and goat - 88) were collected from common grazing land and adjoining area of tiger reserve. Detailed coprological examination for the presence of parasitic eggs/oocysts by direct smear examination, standard sedimentation, and floatation techniques was performed.Results:Fecal samples (n=374) of four different species of wild herbivores were screened. Out of which, 55.61% (n=208) were positive for parasitic infection. Among them, 13.10% (n=49) were positive for mixed parasitic infection of two or more parasite and 42.5% (n=159) were found positive for single parasitic infection. A total of 284 fecal samples of domestic animals were screened from adjoining areas of the tiger reserve. Out of which, 66.54% (n=189) were positive for parasitic infections, out of which 19.71% (n=56) were positive for mixed infection of two or more parasites, and 46.83% (n=133) were found positive for single parasitic infection.Conclusion:Wild herbivores at Panna Tiger Reserve were exposed to parasites including some that are known to be pathogenic; majority of wild animals had mixed infection of Eimeria spp., Trichuris spp., Moniezia spp., Amphistome, Strongyloides spp., Balantidium spp., and Fasciola spp.

Predation of montane deserts ungulates by Asiatic CheetahAcinonyx jubatus venaticusin Central Iran

The Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus), has disappeared in major parts of its mountainous habitats in west Asia. Asiatic cheetah is a critically endangered subspecies currently found only in central Iran. In this study, the feeding habits of Asiatic cheetah was investigated in two reserves in central Iran. Diet and prey selection of cheetah were assessed using two biomass models along with Jacob's selectivity index. We found no significant difference between biomass consumption based on each model between the reserves or between models inside each reserve. Over 90 % of species diet was composed of three medium-sized ungulates (i.e. 15–40 kg): wild sheep, wild goat and chinkara. Hares and other small mammals (less than 15 kg) made up the remainder of their diet. Asiatic cheetahs mainly preyed on wild sheep (Ovis vignei) which composed more than 50 % of consumed biomass. Wild sheep was identified as single staple prey, while chinkara (Gazella bennettii) was the most preferred prey despite its lower occurrence. Our study indicates that wild sheep, wild goat and especially chinkara are critical for persistence of Asiatic cheetah and must be particularly considered in conservation plans.

Molecular and Serological Survey of Selected Viruses in Free-Ranging Wild Ruminants in Iran.

A molecular and serological survey of selected viruses in free-ranging wild ruminants was conducted in 13 different districts in Iran. Samples were collected from 64 small wild ruminants belonging to four different species including 25 Mouflon (Ovis orientalis), 22 wild goat (Capra aegagrus), nine Indian gazelle (Gazella bennettii) and eight Goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) during the national survey for wildlife diseases in Iran. Serum samples were evaluated using serologic antibody tests for Peste de petits ruminants virus (PPRV), Pestiviruses [Border Disease virus (BVD) and Bovine Viral Diarrhoea virus (BVDV)], Bluetongue virus (BTV), Bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1), and Parainfluenza type 3 (PI3). Sera were also ELISA tested for Pestivirus antigen. Tissue samples including spleen, liver, lung, tonsils, mesenteric and mediastinal lymph nodes and white blood cells (WBCs) were tested using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for PPRV, Foot and Mouth Disease virus (FMDV), Pestivirus, BTV, Ovine herpesvirus type 2 (OvHV-2) and BHV-1. Serologic tests were positive for antibodies against PPRV (17%), Pestiviruses (2%) and BTV (2%). No antibodies were detected for BHV-1 or PI3, and no Pestivirus antigen was detected. PCR results were positive for PPRV (7.8%), FMDV (11%), BTV (3%), OvHV-2 (31%) and BHV-1 (1.5%). None of the samples were positive for Pestiviruses.

The status of Chinkara Gazella bennettii (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Bovidae) at Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Supe, Baramati, Pune and a note on its current distribution in the southwestern region of the Deccan Plateau of Maharashtra, India

We conducted monthly road surveys for encounter rates of Chinkara Gazella bennettii in Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (MWS), Supe Baramati, Pune from June 2011 to May 2012. The sighting records of Chinkara were collected from opportunistic surveys conducted in adjoining areas of the Sanctuary, up to a distance of 200km in the southwestern region of the Deccan plateau, Maharashtra. We observed that the Chinkara was facing threats from habitat depletion, including in MWS which was declared a sanctuary for their protection. Road widening projects such as the four lane Pune-Solapur National Highway runs 13km on its northern side and a district highway from Ahmednagar to Satara running north-south from the boundary of the Sanctuary have been proposed. Other threats like vehicular movement from tar roads crossing the sanctuary, a proposed underground canal, a major irrigation canal to be constructed along the boundary of the sanctuary, and the increasing number of fenced plots for new residential and other development projects are responsible for the reduction in suitable habitats of the Chinakara. It appears that within a few years, the sanctuary will become an isolated patch of protected grassland, affecting the smooth movement of Chinkara within and beyond the sanctuary limits. Therefore, the remaining population of Chinkara from the entire human dominated landscape will struggle for survival.

Data on phylogenetic analyses of gazelles (genus Gazella) based on mitochondrial and nuclear intron markers

The data provided is related to the article “Phylogenetic analyses of gazelles reveal repeated transitions of key ecological traits and provide novel insights into the origin of the genus Gazella” [1]. The data is based on 48 tissue samples of all nine extant species of the genus Gazella, namely Gazella gazella, Gazella arabica, Gazella bennettii, Gazella cuvieri, Gazella dorcas, Gazella leptoceros, Gazella marica, Gazella spekei, and Gazella subgutturosa and four related taxa (Saiga tatarica, Antidorcas marsupialis, Antilope cervicapra and Eudorcas rufifrons). It comprises alignments of sequences of a cytochrome b data set and of six nuclear intron markers. For the latter new primers were designed based on cattle and sheep genomes. Based on these alignments phylogenetic trees were inferred using Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood methods. Furthermore, ancestral character states (inferred with BayesTraits 1.0) and ancestral ranges based on a Dispersal-Extinction-Cladogenesis model were estimated and results׳ files were stored within this article.

Isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from Antelope cervicapra and Gazelle bennettii in India and confirmation by molecular tests

Tuberculosis (TB) in domestic and wild ruminants is mostly caused by Mycobacterium bovis (MB). However, the present paper describes the first report of TB of antelopes (Antelope cervicapra) and chinkara (Gazella bennettii) due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT) in India. These wild hosts may represent a vehicle for the dissemination of MT infection to domestic livestock or human. MT was isolated by culture employing the MGITTM BACTECTM 960 (Becton Dickinson, BD) system and Middlebrook 7H10 Agar enriched with oleic albumin dextrose catalase (OADC) and Lowenstein-Jensen (LJ) medium supplemented with glycerol, but not sodium pyruvate. The isolates were confirmed as a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) by using a commercial nested PCR that targeted the IS6110 sequence. Further confirmation of the isolates as MT strains was achieved by employing commercial line probe assay genotyping kits (Hain Lifescience, Germany) that specifically identifies MT within the MTC group.

Population status, distribution, and conservation of the Chinkara, Gazella bennettii, in Iran (Mammalia: Bovidae)

The Chinkara (Gazella bennettii) population in Iran has been experiencing a serious decline in the last few decades. The current population is estimated at 2,818 individuals in 32 reserves and additionally at least 500 individuals outside protected areas. The number of Chinkaras ranges from 10 to more than 500 head per protected area. The main population with a total of more than 1500 individuals (or 45% of the entire Iranian population) is concentrated in three protected areas: Khabr National Park, Naibandan Wildlife Refuge, and Kavir National Park. The Department of Environment of Iran launched a captive breeding programme for the species in 1996 and now there are four captive breeding centres for Chinkara throughout the country. These face two major problems: first, all centres were established with only a few founders; second, each centre consists of one herd and only one dominant male can mate in each herd. Both of these problems apparently lead to low genetic diversity.

Caenorhabditis chinkari sp. n. (Nematoda: Rhabditida) from Chinkara of Alipore Zoological Garden, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Caenorhabditis chinkari sp. n. is described and illustrated. The species is characterized by the body size (1.07–1.40 μm ♀; 0.76–1.01 μm ♂) and the presence of anteriorly closed ellipsoidal bursa whose posterior end is blunt or rounded, with smooth edge throughout, papillae pattern 2 + 1 + 3 + 3 in males. Distal tips of caudal papillae 1, 2 and 3 attached to the dorsal surface of bursa, 4 and 9 to ventral surface and 5, 6, 7, and 8 to edge. It was collected from the faecal samples of Chinkara (Gazella gazella bennettii Sykes, 1831), captivated at the Alipore Zoological Garden, Kolkata, India. The collected samples were maintained in a culture plate in the laboratory and certain aspects of its biology and the ecology have been noted. Besides, C. avicola, C. bovis, C. clavopapillata and C. genitalis, this paper highlights the occurrence of another new species of the genus Caenorhabditis (Osche, Abteilung Systematik 81: 190–280, 1952; Dougherty, The genera of the subfamily Rhabditinae Micoletzky, 1922 (Nematoda): 69–76, 1953) in association with a vertebrate host.

Current Status of Mammals and Reptiles at Hub Dam Area, Sindh / Balochistan, Pakistan

During the present study in 2012, a total of twenty four mammalian species were recorded belonging to 5 orders and 10 families; out of these, 8 species are less common, 2 species are rare, while 14 species are common in Hub Dam area. Twenty five reptilian species belonging to 3 orders and 12 families were also recorded from the area. Three species of mammalian Urial (Ovis vignei), Chinkara/Indian Gazelle (Gazella bennettii) and Jungle Cat (Felis chaus), one reptilian species Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus) were recorded as rare from the study area during 2012. During the present study, nine mammalian species Wild Goat/Sindh Ibex (Capra aegagrus), Urial (Ovis vignei), Chinkara/Indian Gazelle (Gazella bennettii), Indian Hedgehog (Paraechinus micropus), Cape Hare (Lepus capensis), Little Indian Field Mouse (Mus booduga), House Shrew (Sorex thibetanus), Balochistan Gerbil (Gerbillus nanus) and Indian Gerbil (Tatera indica) and two reptilian Warty Rock Gecko (Cyrtodactylus kachhensis kachhensis) and Banded Dwarf Gecko (Tropiocolotes helenae) were recorded from the area. As regards threats to mammals and reptiles, these are affected by disturbance. Efforts are being made to conserve the important mammals and reptiles particularly in the protected area especially at Hub Dam.

Prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in zoo animals in Pakistan

Summary The study was carried out in zoo animals at Islamabad Zoo, Pakistan to know the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis. An overall prevalence of 3.3% was recorded in zoo animals with 3.6% in Bovidae, 3.2% in Cervidae and 0% in Equidae families. The positive animals included spotted deer (1/3; 95% CI = 0.84, 90.57), Chinkara gazella (1/5; 95% CI = 0.51, 71.64) and Blackbuck gazelle (1/30; 95% CI = 0.08, 17.22), while the negative animals were barking deer (0/4), hog deer (0/24), grey gorals (0/2), urial (0/9), mouflon (0/4), nilgai (0/5) and zebra (0/4). The results revealed significant association of live weight and number of calving with the positive tuberculin test, with 32% higher chances for females to show a positive test. Results also showed that odds of a positive test were 1.19 times higher when animal number was less than 10. The results of haematological parameters showed significant differences in total erythrocyte counts, hemoglobin, total leukocyte counts, eosinophil and basophil percentages between positive and negative animals.

Population status of Indian Chinkara in Cholistan Game Reserve, Punjab, Pakistan

A population study of Indian Chinkara Gazella bennettii was conducted during September 2006 to July 2007 in Cholistan Game Reserve. The estimated population density was 0.16 Chinkara/km2. The observed group size varied from 1 to 16 heads. The observed male to female sex ratio during September/October, February/March and July was 1: 1.15, 1: 2.31, 1: 2.33 respectively.

Prey selection by the critically endangered Asiatic cheetah in central Iran

The presence of the critically endangered Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) has been verified in several protected areas in central Iran. Prey selection by the Asiatic cheetah was studied in Dare-Anjir Wildlife Refuge, one of its typical habitats in central Iran where there are no carnivorous competitors. The frequency of cheetah kills was compared with the relative abundance of each of its primary prey species obtained through two independent surveys. Jebeer gazelle (Gazella bennettii) was least abundant, but was the preferred prey of cheetah, whereas wild sheep (Ovis orientalis) followed by Persian ibex (Capra aegagrus) were the most frequently killed prey. Cheetahs selectively preyed on males of the three prey species. Our data suggest that Asiatic cheetahs prey mainly on mountain ungulates (wild sheep and Persian ibex), which has management implications for effective conservation of this taxon in Iran.

Time budget for activity pattern and food selection in Indian Gazelle (Gazella gazella bennetti) in arid region in Rajasthan, India

Indian gazelle (Gazella gazella bennetti) commonly known as Chinkara was observed at Dhorimanna of Barmer District, one of the district of the Thar Desert, in Rajasthan to understand the diurnally activity pattern and time allocated to various activities, viz., grazing, walking, standing and rest. Gazelle showed two major activity namely grazing and rest wherein devoted nearly equal time 43.9% and 40.9% respectively which comprised of 85% of total time. The grazing peaks were in the morning and evening hours. The peak of rest was in the hours where grazing is minimum or nil. Other two activities standing and walking were insignificant. Indian gazelle ate 19 species out of 36 species available in natural habitat. Almost all part of plants were consumed. The browser nature of gazelle is confirmed.

Rumen fistulation and its management in Chinkara (Gazella bennetti)

Rumen fistulation and its management in Chinkara (Gazella bennetti)

Herd composition and population dynamics of Gazella bennetti (Sykes, 1831) in Gogelao enclosure (Nagaur) Rajasthan, India

A population study of the Indian Gazelle (Gazella bennetti) was carried out during June and December 2000 in an enclosed area named Gogelao Enclosure at Nagaur District, Rajasthan. In all, 51 herds containing 242 individuals and four solitary males were counted in June and 45 herds with 248 individuals and one solitary male were recorded in December. Mean herd size was 5.06 and 5.61 individuals in June and December respectively. Density was 48.4 animals (km -1 ) in June and 49.6 animals in December.

Production of in-vitro derived blackbuck antelope [formula omitted] embryos using standard bovine protocols

Shivpuri National Park (151·99 sq km), a former game preserve of the rulers of Gwalior State, India, is situated ca 120 km south-west of Gwalior and 435 km from Delhi. The Park is inhabited by typical Indian fauna comprising the Spotted Deer or Chital (Axis axis), Nilgai or Blue Bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus), Black Buck (Antilope cervicapra), Four-horned Antelope or Chausingha (Tetraceros quadricornis), Sambar (Cervus unicolor), Chinkara or Indian Gazelle (Gazella gazella), and a unique variety of migratory bird. It contains tropical dry deciduous mixed and scrub forests inhabited by more than 400 species of flowering plants. The aquatic and marshland habitats are rich in animal and plant wildlife, the latter being represented by more than 100 taxa of free-floating, anchored, submerged, emergent, and terrestrial wetland, hydrophytes. During the course of this study, an ornamental herb, Craterostigma plantagineum, was collected from the region, which is so far the only record of its occurrence in India. The Park is infested by a number of pernicious weeds etc. (e.g. Acanthospermum hispidum, Xanthium strumarium, Alternanthera pungens, and Gomphrena celosioides) which are spreading rapidly. The forest constitutes one of the last strongholds or refuges for India's fast-vanishing wildlife. Its flora and biotopes are extremely valuable from the point of view of conservation. The author makes a plea to save the flora from cattle graziers, plant collectors, dealers, and growers, and to launch a programme of sound conservation practices.

Cytochrome b Sequences from the Endangered Saudi Gazelle (Gazella Saudiya) Suggest Hybridization with Chinkara (G. bennetti)

Cytochrome <i>b</i> Sequences from the Endangered Saudi Gazelle (<i>Gazella Saudiya</i>) Suggest Hybridization with Chinkara (<i>G. bennetti</i>)

Distribution, density, group size and conservation of the indian gazelle or chinkara gazella bennetti (Sykes 1831) in Rajasthan, India

The Indian gazelle or chinkara Gazella bennetti is common in the Rajasthan state of India, being present in 25 out of 26 wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. It is considered sacred by the Vishnoi community and hence large populations are found around Vishnoi villages. Three major surveys covering a large part of the state were done in 1986 and 1987, showing that in certain areas the population reached 14 per km of transect. The chinkara is a very adaptable animal and is present in the dry deciduous forests, open woodlands and sandy, dune areas within the annual rainfall range of 150–750 mm. It is generally seen in small groups of 1–3 individuals. The sex ratio was biased towards females (1:1·3).

The Uncertain Future of the Desert National Park in Rajasthan, India

The 3,162 sq. km Desert National Park (DNP) is one of the largest protected areas in India. It represents all of the natural features of the Thar Desert in India. Since its establishment in the early 1980s, the wildlife population has increased, and now the Indian Gazelle, the Great Indian Bustard, the Desert Fox, etc., are easily seen in it. But although many core areas of 500 to 1,000 hectares each have been established, progress in the development of the Park is slow, and now the future of the Park itself is in jeopardy owing to a plan to construct a feeder canal of the main Indira Gandhi Nahar (canal) Project (IGNP), which would bisect the Park. It is feared that such improvement in irrigation facilites would make it impossible to shift the villagers outside the Park boundary, as had been planned earlier—and moreover, it would attract settlers to the Park. Salient features of the DNP, its important fauna, and various options to save the Park, are described in this paper.

Role of Prosopis cineraria pods in the diet of two Indian desert antelopes

Examination of fresh faecal matter of the blackbuck or Indian antelope (Antilope cervicapra) and the chinkara or Indian gazelle (Gazella dorcas) over a year in a village complex habitat of the Rajasthan Desert showed that both species consumed the nutritious pods (crude protein 11.5%, energy value 6.5 kcal/g) of Prosopis cineraria (Khejri) during the lean periods of summer, maximum consumption occurring in June. The blackbuck consumed significantly higher quantities of pods than did the chinkara.