Peng Jinglin, Shang Xiaotong, Fan Fan, Zheng Yong, Zhao Lianjun, Li Sheng, Liu Yang, Zhang Li
MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
School of Ecology and State Key Laboratory of Biological Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China.
Animals (Basel). 2025 Jul 8;15(14):2015. doi: 10.3390/ani15142015.
The blue-eared pheasant (), a Near Threatened (NT) species endemic to China, is primarily distributed across the northeastern region of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. To bridge the fine-scale spatiotemporal gap in blue-eared pheasant behavioral ecology, this study combines satellite telemetry, movement modeling, and field-based habitat assessments (vegetation, topography, human disturbance). This multidisciplinary approach reveals detailed patterns of their behavior throughout the breeding season. Using satellite-tracking data from six individuals (five males tracked at 4 h intervals; one female tracked hourly) in Wanglang National Nature Reserve (WLNNR), Sichuan Province during breeding seasons 2018-2019, we quantified their home ranges via Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) and examined the female movement patterns using a Hidden Markov Model (HMM). The results indicated male core (50% KDE: 21.93 ± 16.54 ha) and total (95% KDE: 158.30 ± 109.30 ha) home ranges, with spatial overlap among individuals but no significant temporal variation in home range size. Habitat selection analysis indicated that the blue-eared pheasants favored shrub-dominated areas at higher elevations (steep southeast-facing slopes), regions distant from human disturbance, and with abundant animal trails. We found that their movement patterns differed between sexes: the males exhibited higher daytime activity yet slower movement speeds, while the female remained predominantly near nests, making brief excursions before returning promptly. These results enhance our understanding of the movement ecology of blue-eared pheasants by revealing fine-scale breeding-season behaviors and habitat preferences through satellite-tracking. Such detailed insights provide an essential foundation for developing targeted conservation strategies, particularly regarding effective habitat management and zoning of human activities within the species' range.
蓝马鸡（Crossoptilon auritum）是中国特有的近危（NT）物种，主要分布在青藏高原东北部地区。为了填补蓝马鸡行为生态学在精细时空尺度上的空白，本研究结合了卫星遥测、运动建模和基于实地的栖息地评估（植被、地形、人为干扰）。这种多学科方法揭示了它们在整个繁殖季节的详细行为模式。利用2018 - 2019年繁殖季节在四川省王朗国家级自然保护区（WLNNR）对6只个体（5只雄性每4小时追踪一次；1只雌性每小时追踪一次）的卫星跟踪数据，我们通过核密度估计（KDE）量化了它们的家域，并使用隐马尔可夫模型（HMM）研究了雌性的运动模式。结果表明，雄性的核心家域（50% KDE：21.93 ± 16.54公顷）和总家域（95% KDE：158.30 ± 109.30公顷），个体之间存在空间重叠，但家域大小没有显著的时间变化。栖息地选择分析表明，蓝马鸡喜欢海拔较高的以灌木为主的区域（东南向陡坡）、远离人为干扰且有丰富动物小径的地区。我们发现它们的运动模式存在性别差异：雄性白天活动较多但移动速度较慢，而雌性主要待在巢穴附近，短暂外出后迅速返回。这些结果通过卫星跟踪揭示了精细尺度的繁殖季节行为和栖息地偏好，从而增强了我们对蓝马鸡运动生态学的理解。这些详细的见解为制定有针对性的保护策略提供了重要基础，特别是在有效栖息地管理和物种分布范围内人类活动分区方面。
