Ovis isphahanica Nasonov 1910
Creators: name: Don E. Wilson
name: Russell A. Mittermeier
Publisher: name: Lynx Edicions
Year: 2011
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Artiodactyla
Bovidae
Ovis
Ovis isphahanica

description: 189.
Isfahan Sheep
Ovis isphahanica
French: Mouflon d'Ispahan / German: Isfahan-Wildschaf / Spanish: Muflon de Isfahan
Taxonomy: Ovis isphaganica [sic] Nasonov, 1910,
Esfahan (= Isfahan), Iran.
Sheep taxonomy is controversial; the Anatolian Sheep (O. gmelinz), the Isfahan Sheep, and the Laristan Sheep (O. laristanica) were usually formerly classified as subspecies of O. orientalis, a classification also adopted by IUCN. However, the name orientalis is based on a hybrid population in north-central Iran and is not useable. Monotypic.
Distribution. WC Iran (SW & NW ofthe city of Isfahan), but its distribution limits are undetermined, especially to the E.
Descriptive notes. No specific body measurements available. The horns grow in an arc, with the tips growing toward the neck or above the neck. Males in winter pelage have a full-length black neck ruff extending from below the throat to the brisket, and have a distinct white saddle patch. The undersides and upper portion ofthe legs are brown. The area from knees to pastern is usually white in both sexes. The muzzle and chin are white. Females are horned. Diploid chromosome numberis undetermined except for specimens from Mooteh Wildlife Refuge, which have a diploid number of 54.
Habitat. Isfahan Sheep occur in lower, less precipitous portions of mountain ranges surrounding the city of Isfahan at elevations not exceeding 2000 m above sea level. In one protected area inhabited by Isfahan Sheep, wild sheep are the most frequently killed prey of Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus). The wild predator is probably the Gray Wolf (Canis lupus), but its impacts on wild sheep populations are unknown.
Food and Feeding. There is no specific information available for this species, butit is likely primarily a grazer like other members of the genus.
Breeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but based on closely related species, likely to bear one or two young after a gestation period of 150-160 months.
Activity patterns. There is no specific information available for this species, but most likely crepuscular, with bulk of daily activity in early morning and evening, with resting during the hot part of the day.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no specific information available for this species, but related species are gregarious, especially females and young.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List (as O. orientalis isphahanica). It occurs in the Gamishloo, Tange-Sayad, and Kola-Ghazi wildlife refuges and the Tandooreh National Park. It also occurs in the Mooteh Wildlife Refuge, 80 km north-west of Isfahan. Major threats are encroachment of habitat from surrounding urban populations, agricultural development, predation, and harassment by feral dogs,livestock overutilization of rangelands, and transmission of diseases from domestic livestock. Census data are not available, but the entire population probably does not exceed 500 animals.
Bibliography. Ellerman & Morrison-Scott (1966), Farhadinia & Hemami (2010), Groves & Grubb (2011), Grubb (2005), Valdez (1982, 2008b), Valdez et al. (1978), Ziaie (1997).
description: Published as part of Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2011, Bovidae, pp. 444-779 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 2 Hoofed Mammals, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 684, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6512484