Interactions between forage, recruitment and activity patterns of Blackbuck (Antelope cervicapra)

Abstract

In this study based on the seasonality of blackbuck calving in VNP and examined whether birth synchrony exists in this population. I assessed the seasonal patterns in forage vailability, quality, and body condition of blackbuck females, and examined if changes in forage availability, quality and body condition of females influenced calving seasonality. · Forage variables that were measured are, aboveground grass biomass, moisture, crude protein, ADF, lignins, and silica content in grasses. Some of the forage variables showed considerable seasonal changes, while some did not. Biomass was the highest in the cold and late wet seasons and lowest in the dry season. Crude protein content was the highest in wet season and the lowest in dry season. Blackbuck in VNP appear to have a cyclical calving pattern. The dry season calving peak was probably timed to the impending peak in forage quality, which would have benefited the calves when they weaned. The wet season calving peak occurred after a gap that corresponded to inter-calving interval in blackbuck. The females that calved in the wet season perhaps provided greater maternal nutritional investment into the young, which might have compensated for the lower quality forage that was available to the calves when they weaned. In this study based on the seasonality of blackbuck calving in VNP and examined whether birth synchrony exists in this population. I assessed the seasonal patterns in forage availability, quality, and body condition of blackbuck females, and examined if changes in forage availability, quality and body condition of females influenced calving seasonality.· Forage variables that were measured are, aboveground grass biomass, moisture, crude protein, ADF, lignins, and silica content in grasses. Some of the forage variables showed considerable seasonal changes, while some did not. Biomass was the highest in the cold and late wet seasons and lowest in the dry season. Crude protein content was the highest in wet season and the lowest in dry season. Blackbuck in VNP appear to have a cyclical calving pattern. The dry season calving peak was probably timed to the impending peak in forage quality, which would have benefited the calves when they weaned. The wet season calving peak occurred after a gap that corresponded to inter-calving interval in blackbuck. The females that calved in the wet season perhaps provided greater maternal nutritional investment into the young, which might have compensated for the lower quality forage that was available to the calves when they weaned.