Habitat Selection Of Alectoris Chukar And Alectoris Magna

Habitat selections of Alectoris magna in Chaidamu basin and rock partridge (Alectoris chukar) in the western (east Aerjin mountain and west Qilian mountain) and southeastern Gansu (west Qinling mountain) were investigated from December in 2004 to December in 2005. The results from principle components analysis showed that density of grasses, heterogeneity of ground environments and cover of grasses were the main factors for rock partridge and heterogeneity of ground environments, cover of grasses for Alectoris magna to select habitat. Significant differences were found in altitude, slope degree and number of small stone between populations in east Aerjin mountain and west Qilian mountain. The crucial factors for both Alectoris to select habitats were food and preventing being preyed.Significant differences were found in the selection of altitude, slope and number of small stone between populations of Rock partridge in Ajin and western Qinlis mountains. There were significant differences in habitat selection of the populations in western and eastern Gansu province. Rock partridge in west Qinling mountain preferred to selecting habitats which had lower altitude, larger slope degree, upper position on slope, lower density of grasses and higher height of grasses. There were significant differences in the selection of altitude, density of grass,height of grass and the number of small stone between Alectoris magna and Alectoris chukar. Alectoris magna preferred to selecting habitats which had higher altitude, lower density of grass, higher height of grasses and smaller number of small stone. Differences in habitat selection might result from the historical isolation under the different selective press.