| Arabian tahr | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Tahr atAl Ain Zoo nearJebel Hafeet in the UAE | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Family: | Bovidae |
| Subfamily: | Caprinae |
| Tribe: | Caprini |
| Genus: | Arabitragus Ropiquet &Hassanin, 2005 |
| Species: | A. jayakari |
| Binomial name | |
| Arabitragus jayakari (Thomas, 1894) | |
 | |
| Distribution of the tahr in the region of theHajar Mountains ofOman and theUAE inEastern Arabia | |
| Synonyms | |
Hemitragus jayakari | |
TheArabian tahr (Arabitragus jayakari) is aspecies oftahr native toeastern Arabia. Until recently, it was placed in the genusHemitragus, butgenetic evidence supports its removal to a separatemonotypic genus,Arabitragus.
It is the smallest species of tahr. It is of stocky build with backward-archinghorns 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 mostgoat-antelopes, they have rubber-like hooves to provide balance and traction on the steep, rocky slopes.
As of a 2018, the wild population is thought to comprise around 2,200 individuals.[1]
The Arabian tahr lives on steep rocky slopes of theHajar Mountains inOman and theUnited Arab Emirates, at altitudes up to 1,800 m (5,900 ft) above sea level. It is also found in the area ofJebel Hafeet.[2][3][4]
The Arabian tahr was first described in 1894 byOldfield Thomas who proposed the nameHemitragus jayakari for zoological specimens collected in Oman Jebel Taw.[6] It was separated into the newly created genusArabitragus in 2005 on the basis of a study on the molecular phylogeny of the group.[7]
The genus nameArabitragus is derived from theGreek wordsaravikós meaning "Arabian" andtrágos 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 formingherds 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.[citation needed]
These animals are usuallybrowsers, feeding ongrasses,shrubs,leaves, andfruits 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 aswadis, and travel to new areas when water dries up.
The tahr was likely preyed upon by theArabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) before the leopard's possibleextirpation from the region in recent times.[10]
The Arabian tahr is endangered due to intenseovergrazing,poaching, andhabitat destruction.[10] In Oman, a recent increase of human migration to urban areas has resulted indomestic 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.[citation needed]
In 1973, efforts were planned to protect the Arabian tahr, and in 1975, a protection program was introduced 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. In April 2009, theWadi Wurayah preserve in the Emirate ofFujairah 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 theEmirate of Abu Dhabi, was also set up for its conservation.[4][12]
Media related toArabitragus jayakari at Wikimedia Commons
