Seasonal diet of Khulan (Equidae) in Northern Xinjiang, China

Abstract

The natural diet of khulan (Equus hemionus Pallas, 1775) was observed over the period of a year in northern Xinjiang, China, using faecal analysis. The winter food habits of the khulan and domestic sheep were also compared. The faecal analysis method demonstrated that khulan ate 46 species of plants during the year. Diets varied seasonally, with the widest food breadth in winter (0.43) and the least in summer (0.10). Chenopodiaceae and Poaceae were major foods of khulan, and during spring, forbs were quite important as well. In contrast, Stipa glareosa was preferred during spring and summer, but consumed less during autumn and winter. Shrubs dominated the khulan's natural diet during autumn and winter. The dietary overlap between khulan and domestic sheep was 48.3% during winter. As a grazer living in arid environments, khulan ate more shrubs than other equids living in grassland, and their winter diet was an adaptation to avoid competition from domestic sheep. The number of sheep in the reserve should be reduced to lessen the pressure of competition. © Copyright 2012 Unione Zoologica Italiana.