Their rubbery hooves allow quick and sure movements around cliffs and rocks. The horns are pointed backwards but are robust and could be used defensively. Long, shaggy, reddish-brown pelage helps to camouflage them in their scrubby habitat. They were once preyed on by Arabian leopards (Panthera pardus nimr) and humans (Homo sapiens).
Known Predators:
Anti-predator Adaptations: cryptic
Hemitragus jayakari the smallest tahr species. Both sexes possess horns pointing backwards, although the horns of males are larger and more dense than those of females. The hair is long and reddish with a dark brown stripe running down the back from the head to the tail. Males grow noticeable manes every year along their backs and have impressive, long hair on their chins and chests and extending to their front legs, that can grow quite long. Their hooves are supple and provide traction in their mountainous terrain. Males weigh approximately 40 kg and females weigh 17 to 20 kg. They are 59.7 to 63.5 cm height at the shoulder, compared to Himalayan tahrs and Nilgiri tahrs (both around 101.6 cm).
Range mass: 17 to 40 kg.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism: male larger; male more colorful; ornamentation
Arabian tahrs have a lifespan in captivity of up to 22 years. With predation, hunting, and destruction of habitat, the lifespan in the wild is lower. There is insufficient research to determine lifespan in the wild. The main factor limiting lifespan is the amount of resources present, which is currently linked to competition with domestic animals.
Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 22 (high) years.
Arabian tahrs have a limited range geographically and are possibly extinct in the United Arab Emirates. They inhabit north slopes of the Hajar Mountains and Musandan masifs, where they persist on steep ground. Tahrs occupy the relatively rainy slopes of these mountains which contain enough water and diverse vegetation for them to survive. At the bottoms of these mountains, water sources in valleys, called wadis, are important for the survival of Arabian tahrs.
Range elevation: 1000 to 1800 m.
Average elevation: 1200 m.
Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland ; scrub forest ; mountains
Arabian tahrs are currently found in the Hajar Mountains of the United Arab Emirates and the northern parts of Oman. The current known range is 8,863 square kilometers, and the total possible range is 15,787 square kilometers.
Biogeographic Regions: palearctic (Native )
Debate is currently being held over whether or not the three existing species of tahrs deserve a monospecific genera. Hemitragus is currently used for all three, but it is suggested that this name should only apply to Himalayan tahrs (Hemitragus jemlahicus). The suggested generic name for Arabian tahr would be Arabitragus, and Nilgiritragus would be used for Nilgiri tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius). The alternative name for Hemitragus jakari would then be Arabitragus jakari.
Visual, auditory, and chemical communications are used by Arabian tahrs. Males use urine to mark territory as well as their mates.
Communication Channels: visual ; acoustic ; chemical
Other Communication Modes: pheromones ; scent marks
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
The number of Arabian tahrs is currently estimated to be fewer than 2,500 individuals. Subpopulations are fragmentary and small, with none having more than 250 individuals. Populations continue to decline despite protective measures and captive breeding. The largest cause of decline in Arabian tahrs is loss of habitat. Poaching and competition with domestic goats for resources also contribute to the decline. Poaching still threatens tahrs, as does diseases spread by domestic animals. In the future, increased mining threatens habitat quality and water availability.
In Oman, it is illegal to hunt Arabian tahrs. Measures taken to enforce this include appointing tribesmen to be tahr guards, thus protecting their habitat. Also, local farming families have been notified to keep their livestock away from contact with the tahrs. Currently, tahrs living in captivity are not considered ready for release and reintroductions have not been attempted. Future measures to save wild Arabian tahrs include better systems for raising them in captivity as well as establishing official reserves. Stronger enforcement of current rules is necessary as well.
US Federal List: endangered
CITES: appendix i
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: endangered
There are no known adverse effects of Hemitragus jayakari on humans.
Arabian tahrs were once hunted for sport and meat. Some poaching may continue, but is illegal, as Arabian tahrs are highly endangered and protected by law. Some Arabian tahrs are bred in captivity and much is learned about their life histories in that context, since observations in the wild are difficult to obtain.
Positive Impacts: food ; research and education
Arabian tahrs are an indicator of the condition of their habitat. They are currently only found in remote, mountainous areas with relatively higher precipitation. Their presence is important for Arabian leopards, which prey on them. Arabian leopards number fewer than 250 individuals in the wild. Arabian tahrs also impact vegetation communities through their browsing.
Arabian tahrs are strict browsers, eating mainly leaves, bark, seeds, and fruits in the diverse vegetation they prefer. Water is usually the limiting resource and droughts can seriously affect Arabian tahr populations.
Plant Foods: leaves; wood, bark, or stems; seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit
Primary Diet: herbivore (Folivore )
Arabian tahrs seem to be monogamous, with most observations being of a single male with a single female in the male's territory. They are unusual among bovids in defending territories. Males use their urine to mark their territory and their mates. Their horns are used in male-male combat over females.
It is interesting that Himalayan tahr and Nilgiri tahr are polygamous and Hemitragus jayakari is only polygamous in captivity. Perhaps the decline of resources, habitat destruction, and their resultant rarity prevents Arabian tahrs from being polygamous or forming large groups in the wild.
Mating System: monogamous
Breeding in Arabian tahrs occurs year-round and is opportunistic. They find a mate and form small exclusive groups of two to four related individuals. They do not form rutting herds. Copulation occurs year round, but optimum breeding is in the months of November and December. When resources are abundant, it is common for females to give birth to up to two offspring. Gestation is for 140 to 145 days, leading to peak birthing in March and April. Young Arabian tahrs may not breed until they are 2 to 3 years old.
Breeding interval: Arabian tahrs breed year-round, with breeding peaking in November and December.
Breeding season: November and December
Range number of offspring: 1 to 2.
Average number of offspring: 1.
Range gestation period: 140 to 145 days.
Average gestation period: 140 days.
Range time to independence: 2 to 3 years.
Average time to independence: 2 years.
Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 2 to 3 years.
Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 2 to 3 years.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; year-round breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; viviparous
Arabian tahr females gestate, nurse, and protect their young until independence. Males may contribute through defending territories with good resources and helping to defend the young, although there are few observations in the wild. Arabian tahr young remain with their mother or with the male and female parents for 2 to 3 years before becoming independent.
Parental Investment: precocial ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Male, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-independence (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Male, Female); post-independence association with parents
The Arabian tahr (Arabitragus jayakari) is a species of tahr native to eastern Arabia. Until recently, it was placed in the genus Hemitragus, but genetic evidence supports its removal to a separate monotypic genus, Arabitragus.
It is the smallest species of tahr. The animal is of stocky build with backward-arching horns in both sexes. Males are much more robust than females. Their coats consist of a long, reddish-brown hair, with a dark stripe running down the back. Males possess the most impressive manes which extend right down the back and grow longer, based on the age. In the oldest males the muzzle darkens to black and the eye stripes also darken. As with most mountain goats and sheep, they have rubber-like hooves to provide balance and traction on the steep, rocky slopes.
The Arabian tahr lives on steep rocky slopes of the Hajar Mountains in Oman and the United Arab Emirates, at altitudes up to 1,800 m (5,900 ft) above sea level. It is also found in the area of Jebel Hafeet.[2][3][4]
The species was first described from specimens obtained by Dr. A.S.G. Jayakar from Jebel Taw and originally given the name Hemitragus jayakari.[6] It was separated into the newly created genus Arabitragus on the basis of a study on the molecular phylogeny of the group in 2005.[7]
The genus name Arabitragus is derived from the Greek words aravikós meaning "Arabian" and trágos meaning "goat".[8][9]
Unlike other species of tahr, the Arabian tahr is solitary or lives in small groups consisting of a female and a kid, or a male. Instead of forming herds during seasonal ruts, reproduction occurs in small, dispersed family units. Births have been reported as occurring throughout the year, and gestation lasts from 140–145 days.
These animals are usually browsers, feeding on grasses, shrubs, leaves, and fruits of most trees. They are highly dependent on water and need to drink every two to three days during summer. They descend from their point of elevation to drink from river courses known as wadis, and travel to new areas when water dries up.
The tahr was likely preyed upon by the Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) before the leopard's possible extirpation from the region in recent times.[10]
The Arabian tahr is endangered due to intense overgrazing, poaching, and habitat destruction.[10] In Oman, a recent increase of human migration to urban areas has resulted in domestic goats becoming feral and foraging in places that were once strictly the tahr's home. Habitat degradation is also another major threat, due to construction of roads, buildings, and mineral extraction. Also, poaching often occurs when the animals descend down from the mountains for water.
In 1973, efforts were planned to protect the Arabian tahr, and in 1975, it was granted in the Hajar Mountains. In 1980, a captive-breeding program was set up at the Omani Mammal Breeding Center to reintroduce captive-bred individuals back into the wild. Three institutions are now involved, one in Oman and two in the United Arab Emirates, but many people seem to be unaware about the tahr's grave situations, leading to other conservation initiatives to focus on the publicity and educational campaigns to raise the animals' profile. In April 2009, the Wadi Wurayah preserve in the Emirate of Fujairah was set aside by royal decree in the Emirates for the protection of the tahr.[4][11] Another place in the UAE, Sir Bani Yas in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, was also set up for its conservation.[4][12]
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help) The Arabian tahr (Arabitragus jayakari) is a species of tahr native to eastern Arabia. Until recently, it was placed in the genus Hemitragus, but genetic evidence supports its removal to a separate monotypic genus, Arabitragus.
It is the smallest species of tahr. The animal is of stocky build with backward-arching horns in both sexes. Males are much more robust than females. Their coats consist of a long, reddish-brown hair, with a dark stripe running down the back. Males possess the most impressive manes which extend right down the back and grow longer, based on the age. In the oldest males the muzzle darkens to black and the eye stripes also darken. As with most mountain goats and sheep, they have rubber-like hooves to provide balance and traction on the steep, rocky slopes.
