Food Preferences and Composition of Chinkara (Gazella bennettii shikarii) in Spring Season in Darreh Anjir Wildlife Refuge, Yazd, Iran

This study was focused on food composition and preferences of Chinkara (Gazella bennettiishikarii) in Darreh Anjir Wildlife Refuge (DAWR) in spring season. We determined distribution of Chinkara in the region. A total of 12 transect lines were selected in the area and were surveyed on foot. We identified plant species which had eaten by Chinkara along transects. Since there is no similar herbivore in DAWR، the possibility of recording plant species consumed by Chinkara was provided through pursuing footstep and surveying the effect of animal teeth on bushes. Cafeteria experiment was used to determine the food preferences of Chinkara. Results of the study showed، food composition of Chinkara in growing season (spring) mainly consisted of 24 plant species، belonging to 21 genera and 11 families. The results of cafeteria experiments showed that preference values of the plant species for Chinkara were significantly different in growing season. Based on this study، Chinkaras were an intermediate feeder in spring season، and the herb components were the main part of their diet in this season. Annual plants، Zygophyllum eurypterum، Fortuynia bungei، and Haloxylon aphyllum were the main preferred species for Chinkara in spring season.