Description on Foot Tracts and Fecal Morphology of Several Carnivore Species
This study aimed at quickly identifying species by foot tracks and fecal morphological characteristics of carnivores. The existing specimen was checked and the foot prints and scats were compared in the field of Saihanwula National Nature Reserve (Inner Mongolia). There were nine species of carnivore predators in the studied area which could be identified by scat widths and fool track morphologies. The felids and canines were distinguished by claw prints, while the badger (Meles meles) was confirmed by long front claw print. Eurasian lynx {Lynx lynx) and leopard cat (Felis bengalensis) were identified by the size of loot tracts. Raccoon dog ( Nyctereutes procyonoides) was differentiated from corsac fox ( Vulpes corsac) and red fox ( Vulpes vulpes) by the base links in the third and fourth fingers. Mountain weasel (Mustela altaica) and steppe polecat (Mustela evemmanni) were noted based on jumping strides. These foot tracks and scats index set an easy and quick learning technique for staff members to identify and monitor carnivores in nature reserves. Moreover, this study-found the specimen previously taken as hog badger (Arctonyx collaris) was fault and corrected to Asian badger ( Meles meles). The recheck of mountain weasel extended its distribution in Inner Mongolia.
NETL
NSTL
万方数据
维普
