Behavior and ecology of the Defassa waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus defassa during the dry season in the Dinder National Park, Sudan

Abstract

There are few studies of the Defassa waterbuck in the Dinder National Park. This present study is conducted under natural condition in the Dinder National Park in February, March, April and May 2018-2019 to describe the social organization, mating behavior and daily activities of the Defassa waterbuck, Kobus ellipsiprymnus defassa (Katambour) in Ras-Amir, Ein-alshamis, Beit-alwahash, Abdel-Gani and Gererisa meadows (Mayas). Binoculars were used to estimate herd composition of the Defassa waterbuck. Daily activity of herds, and its courtship behavior was studied for 15 minutes. within each hour intervals from 6 AM to 5:59 PM. Day time was divided into 3 periods (mornings, afternoons and evenings) to assess the variations in their activities within a day. The results of herd composition revealed the effect of independent variables on the dependent variable (herd composition) which showed a very high significant differences (P≤ 0.000). The Defassa waterbuck was found in Ras Amir, Ein-alshims, Abdel-gani and Grersia but not in Beit-alwahash during the years 2018 and 2019. The Defassa waterbuck generally forms social or feeding aggregations. Solitary male was seen 3 times, one in Ras-Amir meadow, one in Abdel-Gani meadow and the third one was observed in Idres Abdelabdelagi road. Lonely female with a single very young (about one week of age) was seen in February 2018 at Abdel-Gani meadow. Bachelor herd of about 21 adult males and females was observed in Ras-Amir meadow in March 2018. Nursery herd was existed commonly in Abdel-Gani and Ein-alshamis meadows. During this study 3 predation was recorded, one female in Ein-alshamis, one male in Abdel-Gani and the third one near Ras-Amir meadow. The males courtship that occurs most during the hours of the day is O (M = 0.270, SD = 0.891), SL (M = 0.172, SD= 0.536), V (M = 0.161, SD = 0.568), FS (M = 0.151, SD= 0.489), C (M = 0.1228, SD= 0.392), RH (M = 0.112, SD = 0.577), CH (M = 0.108, SD= 0.328), G (M = 0.0966, SD= 0.335), F (M= 0.045, SD= 0.2437), M (M = 0.010, SD= 0.101) and finally D (M = 0.0103, SD= 0.101). The activity of female during courtship that occurs most of the hours of the day is VE (M = 0.780, SD= 2.113), VM (M = 0.457, SD= 1.255), ST (M = 0.287, SD= 1.004), SC (M = 0.217, SD = 0.835), OM (M = 0.213, SD= 0.930), and finally MA (M = 0.207, SD= 0.728). The comparison of the courtship displays of males and females at the different period of the day showed no significant differences between the courtship between the morning and afternoon (P≥0.00) but a high significant differences between the courtship displays between the morning and afternoon and the evening (P≤0.00). In 2018 the daily activities revealed a statistical significant differences between years and daily activity, in foraging mean (13.82), SD (11.762) (P≤0.000), browsing mean (0.046), SD (0.226) (P≤0.000), resting (4.601) std. (12.508) (P≤0.001), walking mean (0.285) SD (0.761) (P≤0.000), suckling mean (1.230) SD (1.968) (P≤0.000), drinking mean (0.615) std. (1.127) (P≤0.000), and fighting mean (0.206) std. (0.704) (P≤0.000). In 2019 foraging mean (10.38), SD (7.460) (P≤0.000), browsing mean (0.093) SD (0.251) (P≤0.000), resting mean (6.728) SD (11.418) (P≤0.001), walking mean (0.497) SD (0.658) (P≤0.000), suckling mean (0.565) SD (0.976) (P≤0.000), drinking mean (1.725) SD (1.605) (P≤0.000), and fighting mean (0.563) SD (1.206) (P≤0.000). The present study showed a high significant difference in the daily activities in the meadows (P≤0.05), it is also showed a high significant difference in the daily activities at different months (P≤0.05). It statistically showed a high significant difference in the daily activities at different periods of the day time (morning, afternoon and evening). The work is also covering taxonomic, qualitative, and quantitative assessment of the flora, status of vegetation cover of Abdel-Gani, Ras-Amir, Ein-alshamis and Beit-alwahash. During the study period, a total of 29 plant species, in 15 families, in 11 orders were recorded. The dominant families were Fabaceae and Poaceae. The phenology of the flora showed that 71% was herbs, 14 % was perennial herbs (7%) and shrubs (7%) and 15 % was annual weeds, grasses, perennial grasses, sub-shrubs and trees (each represent 3%).