Orihuela-Torres, Adrian, Morales-Reyes, Zebensui, Pérez-García, Juan M., Naves-Alegre, Lara, Sánchez-Zapata, José A., Sebastián-González, Esther
Unravelling the vertebrate scavenger assemblage in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia
Journal of Arid Environments. 2021, 190: 104509. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2021.104509
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10045/114445
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2021.104509
ISSN: 0140-1963 (Print)
Abstract: 
Despite the essential role that vertebrate scavengers play in ecosystems, most studies have been conducted in Europe and North America, and there is a lack of information on vertebrate scavengers in vast regions of the world. Our aim was to describe the functioning and composition of the unknown vertebrate scavenger assemblage in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia, and determine how carcass size and habitat type affect species composition and carrion use. We monitored carcasses with camera traps and we also conducted observation points to survey the raptor community and identify the proportion of raptor species making use of the carcasses. We recorded eight vertebrate scavenger species (five birds and three mammals) by camera trap and seven raptors at observation points. Over half of the raptor species recorded at the observation points were also found feeding on carrion. The two most threatened species were only recorded in the mountain habitat. Furthermore, scavenger abundance and consumption rates were higher at large carcasses. This study highlights the importance of scavenging by raptors and other vertebrate scavengers for carrion elimination in ecosystems with extreme climatic conditions.
Keywords:Arid ecosystem, Carrion, Consumption rate, Seminomadic herder, Species richness, Vulture
Elsevier
info:eu-repo/semantics/article