| Abstract: | We investigated the spatial distribution of radio-marked wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) in the Serengeti ecosystem in relation to the distribution of their food resources, comparing patterns in the wet and dry seasons and at local and landscape spatial scales. A mechanistic model of ruminant energy optimization predicted that wildebeest should maximize energy intake on swards 3 cm high and maintain energy balance on swards between 3 and 10 cm high. At the ecosystem scale, wildebeest preferred short and intermediate-height grass of moderate greenness during both the wet and dry seasons. This was consistent with the model prediction which suggests that large-scale movements by wildebeest are motivated, at least partially, by an energy-maximizing strategy. At the local scale, however, wildebeest showed spatial selectivity only on the basis of grass greenness, not on grass height. This differed from model expectations and may have resulted from wildebeest exploiting ephemeral green flushes of grass caused by localized rainfall in their movement radius. According to these results, the influence of other nutritional or behavioural factors on wildebeest distributions is not rejected, yet they suggest the potentially important role of an energy intake maximizing strategy on movement patterns. Our findings show that wildebeest movements are broadly similar to those of other large herbivores that migrate in response to resource gradients. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70021647 |
| Citation Author: | Wilmshurst, J. F.; Fryxell, J. M.; Farm, B. P.; Sinclair, A. R. E.; Henschel, C. P. |
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| Citation End Page: | 1232 |
| Citation Issue: | 8 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Canadian Journal of Zoology |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 10 |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Spatial distribution of Serengeti wildebeest in relation to resources; 1999; Article; Journal; Canadian Journal of Zoology; Wilmshurst, J. F.; Fryxell, J. M.; Farm, B. P.; Sinclair, A. R. E.; Henschel, C. P. |
| Citation Start Page: | 1223 |
| Citation Volume: | 77 |
| Citation Year: | 1999 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Spatial distribution of Serengeti wildebeest in relation to resources; 1999; Article; Journal; Canadian Journal of Zoology; Wilmshurst, J. F.; Fryxell, J. M.; Farm, B. P.; Sinclair, A. R. E.; Henschel, C. P. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| Date Other: | Fri, 1 Jan 1999 00:00 -0600 |
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