Summer Diet Overlap Amongst Herbivore Mammals In Kawal Tiger Reserve, Telangana State, India

Abstract

The Kawal Tiger Reserve, situated in the northern part of Telangana state with connecting patches to Maharashtra, boasts a diverse array of large herbivore mammals. Among these are the Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), Sambar (Rusa unicolor), Chital (Axis axis), Chinkara (Gazella bennettii), Chausingha (Tetracerus quadricornis), wild boar (Sus scrofa), and the Indian gaur (Bos gaurus). These species contribute significantly to the reserve's ecological richness, displaying unique adaptations within the dry deciduous forest ecosystem. The region experiences notable shifts with the seasons, particularly after autumn when many plants shed leaves, leaving only a limited number retaining foliage in summer. This creates challenges in food availability for herbivores, compounded by the fact that not all green plants are edible for them. Our study focused on understanding the intricate dynamics of food resource sharing among these large herbivore mammals during the summer season. We identified 28 edible plant species in the reserve during summer, highlighting the resilience of certain vegetation and its importance in sustaining herbivorous populations. By studying dietary preferences and resource partitioning, we discerned patterns of resource utilization and overlap among herbivores. Utilizing niche analysis and diet overlap calculations, we quantified the degree of dietary overlap between different pairs of large herbivores. Contrary to expectations of intense competition due to limited food resources, we observed a significant degree of resource partitioning among herbivores. This phenomenon allows species to coexist by utilizing different portions of available resources, thereby reducing direct competition. For instance, species like Sambar (Rusa unicolor) prefer browse species such as Acacia and Ziziphus, while Chital (Axis axis) shows a preference for grass species like Cynodon and Iselimalaxum. Such differential utilization contributes to the stability and coexistence of herbivore populations in the reserve.

Our analysis also revealed relatively low levels of diet overlap between different pairs of large herbivores, indicating evolved mechanisms that mitigate direct competition. These mechanisms include dietary specialization, temporal and spatial resource partitioning, and behavioral adaptations. Understanding these complex ecological dynamics is crucial for effectively managing and conserving biodiversity-rich ecosystems like the Kawal Tiger Reserve. Our study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms that drive coexistence and adaptation among large herbivores, aiding in the formulation of effective conservation strategies for long-term sustainability and promoting the health of wildlife habitats.