Pseudois schaeferi Haltenorth 1963

• Main Authors: Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Published: Lynx Edicions 2011
• Subjects: Biodiversity; Taxonomy; Animalia; Chordata; Mammalia; Artiodactyla; Bovidae; Pseudois; Pseudois schaeferi; Nain; Schaefer; Canis lupus
• Online Access: https://zenodo.org/record/6636928; https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6636928

177. Dwarf Blue Sheep Pseudois schaeferi French: Bharal nain / German: Zwergblauschaf / Spanish: Cabra azul enana Other common names: Dwarf Bharal, Sichuan Blue Sheep Taxonomy. Pseudois schaefer: Haltenorth, 1963, China (upper Yangtze Gorge, Drupalong, south of Batang). The Dwarf Blue Sheep is smaller in body size, horn and skull measurements than the Greater Blue Sheep (P. nayaur) but not significantly different genetically. The two species are separated by a forest zone that extends 1000 m between the lowerelevation habitat inhabited by Dwarf Blue Sheep and the higher-elevation habitat of the Greater Blue Sheep. It is speculated that Dwarf Blue Sheep may be an isolated population in the process of speciation or its small body size is due to lower-quality habitat. Monotypic. Distribution. SC China (Upper Yangtze River Gorge in Batang County of W Sichuan) and adjacent area of Mukang County in Xizang. Descriptive notes. Few measurements available. Shoulder height 70-80 cm; weight 28— 35 kg (males) and c. 25 kg (females). Horn length 28-55 cm (males), horn basal girth 14-23 cm (males). Horns are more upturned and lack the inward curve characteristic of the horns of Greater Blue Sheep. Winter coat is drab, with a silvery sheen; dark markings develop only in older males. Diploid chromosome numberis 54. Habitat. Presently occurs at an elevation of 2700-2900 m on rocky, steep terrain with 70-80° slopes. Annual precipitation is about 650 mm with most occurring in summer. The vegetation consists principally of low shrubs (Berberis spp., Rosa spp., Cotoneaster spp., Cladrastris spp., Ephedra spp., Rhododendron spp.). Principal mammalian predators are Gray Wolves (Canis lupus), Dholes (Cuon alpinus), and Leopards (Panthera pardus), but predation has not been quantified. Food and Feeding. Probably feed principally on graminoids in summer and browse in winter. Breeding. Based on local informants, mating occurs in November—December and offspring are born in May-June. Activity patterns. Feeding peaks in summer occur at ...