Microhabitat selection in burrowing area of Spermophilus erythrogenys in Mt.Kalamaili Ungulate Nature Reserve,Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
Objective To investigate the microhabitat selection for burrows of Spermophilus erythrogenys and the effects of major environmental factors in the Mt.Kalamaili Ungulate Nature Reserve,China.Methods In the spring and summer of 2019,52 active burrows of S.erythrogenys and 55 control quadrats were investigated with each quadrat measuring 5 m×5 m,for comparisons of habitat factors such as elevation,slope,the number of plant species,vegetation coverage,and biomass.Descriptive statistical analysis was performed on the numerical ecological factor data,and the difference of ecological factors was determined by Mann-Whitey U test or independent sample t-test.The correlation analysis between the two level variables was carried out on the non-numerical ecological factor data.Principal component analysis(PCA)was used to determine the habitat factors that played a major role in the selection of microhabitats in S.erythrogenys.Results The main factors affecting microhabitat selection of S.erythrogenys in the burrowing area were elevation and the soil moisture content(all P<0.01).The principal component analysis showed that the environmental factors influencing S.erythrogenys burrow microhabitat selection were vegetation coverage(weight coefficient=0.920),herb coverage(weight coefficient=0.863),shrub coverage(weight coefficient=0.778),and the number of shrub species(weight coefficient=0.768).Conclusions S.erythrogenys prefers microhabitats of high elevation,low soil moisture content,and the flat beach type as burrows.The results of this study can provide an important theoretical basis for the scientific control of S.erythrogenys.