Research observation: Desert bighorn sheep diets in northwestern Sonora, Mexico
Issue Date
2002-11-01Keywords
species reintroductionOvis canadensis mexicana
Ovis canadensis
browse plants
gender differences
Mexico
feces composition
forbs
diets
wildlife management
seasonal variation
botanical composition
browsing
grasses
Ovis canadensis mexicana
sexual segregation
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Tarango, L. A., Krausman, P. R., Valdez, R., & Kattnig, R. M. (2002). Research observation: desert bighorn sheep diets in northwestern Sonora, Mexico. Journal of Range Management, 55(6), 530-534.Publisher
Society for Range ManagementJournal
Journal of Range ManagementAdditional Links
https://rangelands.org/Abstract
We used microhistological analyses of fresh fecal pellets to determine seasonal diets of desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana Merriam 1901) in northwestern Sonora, Mexico from April 1997 to December 1998. We identified 41 plant species (22 browse, 10 forbs, 5 grasses, and 4 succulents) in diets of bighorn sheep. We found no differences between diets of males and females, and diet diversity between sexes was similar (P 0.05). Diet included: browse (45.7%), forbs (32.0%), succulents (17.8%), and grasses (4.5%). The consumption of succulents was higher during spring, decreased during summer, increased in autumn, and decreased in winter. Consumption of forbs was higher during winter and summer. Globemallow (Sphaeralceae spp.), desert agaves (Agave spp.), range ratany (Krameria parvifolia Benth.), buck-wheatbrush (Eriogonum spp.), foothill palo verde (Cercidium microphyllum [Torrey] Rose Johnst.), Engelmann prickly pear (Opuntia engelmanii Salm-Dyck), desert ironwood (Olneya tesota A. Gray), and elephant tree (Bursera microphylla A. Gray) were consumed throughout the study. As biologists identify potential release sites for restoration of bighorn sheep in Mexico, studies of diet composition will provide managers with information for successful translocations.Type
textArticle
Language
enISSN
0022-409Xae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.2307/4003995