Ecological Studies on the Population Composition, Group Size and Diurnal Activity Pattern of Blackbuck, Antilope cervicapra (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Bovidae) in Western Haryana, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36808/if/2021/v147i10/154627Keywords:
Activity Pattern, Blackbuck, Group Size, Population Composition, Threats.Abstract
Population composition, group size and diurnal activity patterns of Blackbuck, Antilope cervicapra were monitored in significant population at Lalpur Jheel, Dobhi Village of district Hisar (Haryana) and the relevant data was collected following scan sampling method, during March, 2017 to February, 2019. Population structure data revealed that the population was dominated by adult female. In comparison to adult individuals, greater number of sub-adults and young were recorded. The overall mean group size ± S.E. recorded from March, 2017 to February, 2019 was 13.19±1.29 in 130 sightings, comprising of 1716 individuals sighting. Diurnal activity data reflected that standing was the highest annual mean per cent activity recorded during both the study years. Variation in the highest mean per cent activity between same seasons of first (March, 2017 to February, 2018) and second year (March, 2018 to February, 2019) were noticed. Habitat fragmentation caused by construction of road, disturbance caused by plying of vehicles, increased grazing pressure caused by construction of gaushala were the major factors responsible for changes in the diurnal activity pattern between first and second year.References
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