Markhor

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For the village in Iran, see
Markhor, Iran
.

Markhor
Male markhor in captivity at the Augsburg Zoo

Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[2]
CITES Appendix I (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Subfamily: Caprinae
Tribe:
Caprini
Genus: Capra
Species:
C. falconeri[1]
Binomial name
Capra falconeri[1]
(Wagner, 1839)
Subspecies

See text

Distribution of the markhor

The markhor (Capra falconeri)

Near Threatened since 2015.[2]

The markhor is the

Pashto and classical Persian languages, referencing the ancient belief that the markhor would actively kill and consume snakes.[4]
This regional myth is believed to stem from the "snake-like" form of the male markhor's horns, twisting and curling like a snake, possibly leading ancient peoples to associate them with snakes.

Description

Markhor stand 65 to 115 centimetres (26 to 45 in) at the shoulder, are 132 to 186 centimetres (52 to 73 in) long and weigh from 32 to 110 kilograms (71 to 243 lb).

sexually dimorphic, with males having longer hair on the chin, throat, chest and shanks.[5] Females are redder in colour, with shorter hair, a short black beard, and are maneless.[7] Both sexes have tightly curled, corkscrew-like horns, which close together at the head, but spread upwards toward the tips. The horns of males can grow up to 160 cm (63 in) long, and up to 25 cm (10 in) in females.[5] The males have a pungent smell, which surpasses that of the domestic goat.[8]

Behaviour and ecology

Female with young, at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Markhor are adapted to mountainous terrain, and can be found between 600 and 3,600 m (2,000 and 11,800 ft) in elevation. They typically inhabit

gestation period lasts 135–170 days, and usually results in the birth of one or two kids, and occasionally three. Markhor live in herds, usually numbering nine animals, composed of adult females and their young. Adult males are largely solitary. Adult females and kids comprise most of the markhor population, with adult females making up 32% and kids making up 31%. Adult males comprise 19% of the population, while subadults (males aged 2–3 years) make up 12%, and yearlings (females aged 12–24 months) 9%.[9] Their alarm call closely resembles the bleating of domestic goats.[5] Early in the season the males and females may be found together on the open grassy patches and clear slopes among the forest. During the summer, the males remain in the forest, while the females generally climb to the highest rocky ridges above.[7] In the spring, the females stay closer to cliffs in areas with more rock coverage to provide protection for their offspring. The males stay in higher elevated areas with more access to vegetation for foraging so as to improve their body's condition.[10]

Predators

Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), snow leopard (Panthera uncia), Himalayan wolf (Canis lupus chanco) and brown bear (Ursus arctos) are the main predators of the markhor.[9][11] The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) has been reported to prey upon young markhor. The markhor possess keen eyesight and a strong sense of smell to detect nearby predators. Markhor are very aware of their surroundings and on high alert; in exposed areas, they are quick to spot and flee from predators.[12]

Taxonomy

Markhor in a Japanese zoo
Bukharan markhor in captivity at the Los Angeles Zoo

Aegoceros (Capra) Falconeri was the

scientific name proposed by Johann Andreas Wagner in 1839 based on a female specimen from the Indian Himalayas.[13]

Multiple subspecies have been recognized, often based on horn configuration, but it has been shown that this can vary greatly even within the same population confined to one mountain range.[14]

Astor markhor

The Astor markhor has large, flat horns, branching widely and then going up nearly straight with only a half turn. It is synonymous with Capra falconeri cashmiriensis or Pir Panjal markhor, which has heavy, flat horns, twisted like a corkscrew.[15] The Astor markhor also has a tendency to sexually segregate outside the mating season because of multiple different mechanisms. The females are usually confined to cliffs with less forage coverage, while the males live in areas with a lot more forage coverage. [16]

Within Afghanistan, the Astor markhor is limited to the east in the high and mountainous monsoon forests of

Mastuj River. The largest population is currently found in Chitral National Park in Pakistan.[2]

Bukharan markhor

Although the Bukharan markhor or Tajik markhur

Darwaz Peninsula of northern Afghanistan near the border with Tajikistan. Before 1979, almost nothing was known of this subspecies or its distribution in Afghanistan, and no new information has been established in Afghanistan since that time.[2]

Kabul markhor

The

junior synonym is Capra falconeri jerdoni.[7]

Until 1978, the Kabul markhor survived in Afghanistan only in the

Kurram and Khyber).[2]

Relationship with the domestic goat

Certain authors have postulated that the markhor is the ancestor of some breeds of

Queen Victoria.[26]

Fecal samples taken from markhor and domestic goats indicate that there is a serious level of competition for food between the two species. The competition for food between herbivores is believed to have significantly reduced the standing crop of forage in the Himalaya–Karkoram–Hindukush ranges. Domestic livestock have an advantage over wild herbivores since the density of their herds often pushes their competitors out of the best grazing areas, and decreased forage availability has a negative effect on female fertility.[27]

Threats

Hunting for meat as a means of subsistence or trade in wildlife parts adds to the growing problem for wildlife managers in many countries. Poaching, with its indirect impacts as disturbance, increasing fleeing distances and resulting reduction of effective habitat size, is by far the most important factor threatening the survival of the markhor populations.[28] The most important types of poachers seem to be local inhabitants, state border guards, the latter usually relying on local hunting guides, and Afghans, illegally crossing the border. Poaching causes fragmentation of the population into small islands where the remaining subpopulations are prone to extinction.[28] The markhor is a valued trophy hunting prize for its spiral horns. The Pakistani government issued several tags in an attempt to save the species, which since the introduction of hunting the species has seen a remarkable rebound. The continuing declines of markhor populations finally caught the attention of the international community.[29]

Hunting

Markhor

In

axis deer
, however, markhor have not escaped in sufficient numbers to establish free-range wild populations in Texas.


The

near threatened species, because of its relatively small population (2013 estimate: ~5,800 individuals), the absence of a projected total population decline, and its reliance on ongoing conservation efforts to maintain population levels.[2] There are reservations in Tajikistan to protect the markhors. In 1973, two reservations were established. The Dashtijum Strict Reserve (also called the Zapovednik in Russian) offers markhor protect across 20,000 ha. The Dashtijum Reserve (called the Zakasnik in Russian) covers 53,000 ha. Though these reserves exist to protect and conserve the markhor population, the regulations are poorly enforced making poaching common as well as habitat destruction.[2][9] Although markhors still face ongoing threats, recent studies have shown considerable success with regards to the conservation approach. The approach began in the 1900s when a local hunter was convinced by a hunting tourist to stop poaching markhors. The local hunter established a conservancy that inspired two other local organizations called Morkhur and Muhofiz. The two organizations expect that their conversations will not only protect, but allow them to sustainably exploit the markhor species. This approach has been effective compared to the protection of lands that lack enforcement and security.[9] In India, the markhor is a fully protected (Schedule I) species under Jammu and Kashmir's Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1978.[34]

In culture

The markhor is the

computer-animated film known as Allahyar and the Legend of Markhor.[36]

Etymology

The name is thought to be derived from

serpent") and the suffix khor (‏خور‎, "-eater"), interpreted to represent the animal's alleged ability to kill snakes, or as a reference to its corkscrew-like horns, which are somewhat reminiscent of coiling snakes.[5]

In folklore the markhor is believed to kill and eat serpents. Thereafter, while chewing the cud, a foam-like substance comes out of its mouth that drops on the ground and dries. This foam-like substance is sought after by the local people, who believe it is useful in extracting the poison from snakebites.[37]

References

  1. OCLC 62265494
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  2. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T3787A82028427.en
    . Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  3. ^ "American hunter pays $100,000 to kill rare Himalayan 'screw-horned' goat". The Independent. 2019. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
  4. ^ Sharma, S. D. (1990). Semantics and Syntax: Indian Loan Words in English : a Linguistic, Cultural, Literary & Historical Study. Prakash Book Depot. p. 83.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Capra falconeri" Markhor, An Ultimate Ungulate fact sheet Archived 2007-12-20 at the Wayback Machine. Ultimateungulate.com. Retrieved on 2011-07-10.
  6. S2CID 198969400
    .
  7. ^ a b c "NATURAL HISTORY OF THE MAMMALIA OF INDIA AND CEYLON" by Robert A. Sterndale, published by CALCUTTA: THACKER, SPINK, AND CO., BOMBAY: THACKER AND CO., LIMITED., LONDON: W. THACKER AND CO. 1884. Gutenberg.org (2006-10-16). Retrieved on 2011-07-10.
  8. ^ Shooting in the Himalayas: a journal of sporting adventures and travel in Chinese Tartary, Ladac, Thibet, Cashmere, &c by Frederick Markham, published by R. Bentley, 1854
  9. ^
    doi:10.1017/s0030605313000860. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on 2014-07-24.
  10. doi:10.1093/jmammal/gyx155
    .
  11. ^ Lyngdoh, S. B.; Habib, B.; Shrotriya, S. (2019). "Dietary spectrum in Himalayan wolves: comparative analysis of prey choice in conspecifics across high-elevation rangelands of Asia" (PDF). Down to Earth. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  12. ^ Sajjad, A. "Conservation and status of Markhor (Capra falconeri) in the northern parts of North West Frontier Province, Pakistan" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-12-29.
  13. ^ Wagner, J.A. (1839). "Beschreibung einiger neuer oder wenig bekannter Säugethiere, welche von Herrn Baron von Hügel in Indien gesammelt wurden". Gelehrte Anzeigen der Königlich Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu München. 9 (183): 429–432.
  14. ^ Damm & Franco, CIC Caprinae Atlas of the World, CIC/Rowland Ward, 2014
  15. ISBN 978-81-206-1162-7
    . Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  16. ^ Ahmad, R., Sharma, N., Mishra, C., Singh, N. J., Rawat, G. S., & Bhatnagar, Y. V. (2018). Security, size, or sociality: what makes markhor (Capra falconeri) sexually segregate?. Journal of Mammalogy, 99(1), 55-63.
  17. ISBN 978-0-691-16717-6
  18. ^ John Lord Hayes (1868). The Angora goat: its origin, culture and products. Boston, 1868
  19. ^ Olive Schreiner (1898). Angora goat ... : and, A paper on the ostrich ... London : Longmans, 1898
  20. ^ The Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication by Charles Darwin, Publisher O. Judd & company, 1868
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  22. ISBN 0-521-63495-4
    . Books.google.com. Retrieved on 2011-07-10.
  23. doi:10.1016/S0921-4488(01)00265-6
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  24. ^ La Capra Girgentana. Capragirgentana.it. Retrieved on 2011-07-10.
  25. Irish Times
    , August 2009
  26. ^ The Great Orem in Llandudno North Wales Archived 2010-09-08 at the Wayback Machine. Llandudno.com. Retrieved on 2011-07-10.
  27. doi:10.3906/zoo-1306-6
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  28. ^ a b Michel, Stefan. "CONSERVATION OF TAJIK MARKHOR (Capra falconeri heptneri) AND URIAL (Ovis vignei) IN TAJIKISTAN AND ADJACENT AFGHANISTAN" (PDF).
  29. ^ Rosser, Naseer; Nigel; Alison M., Tareen & Leader-Williams. "Chapter 4: The Precautionary Principle, Uncertainty And Trophy Hunting: A Review Of The Torghar Population Of Central Asian Markhor Capra Falconeri". Points of View Reference Center. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  30. ISBN 81-206-0851-8
  31. ^ Arthur Brinckman (1862). The rifle in Cashmere: a narrative of shooting expeditions in Ladak, Cashmere, Punjaub, etc., with advice on travelling, shooting, and stalking : to which are added notes on army reform and Indian politics. Smith, Elder. pp. 148–. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  32. ISBN 978-1-4437-7183-2
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  33. ^ "A $55,000 wild Markhor chase". dailytimes.com.pk. 31 March 2006. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  34. ^ a b "The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2018-10-26.
  35. ISBN 978-0822546825
    . Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  36. ^ IMDB(2018)https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7955106/
  37. ^ "Markhor". Museo de la Caza Los Yebenes. Retrieved 9 April 2017.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Capra falconeri.
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