Rupicapra ornata Neumann 1899
Creators: name: Don E. Wilson
name: Russell A. Mittermeier
Publisher: name: Lynx Edicions
Year: 2011
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Artiodactyla
Bovidae
Rupicapra
Rupicapra ornata

description: 209.
Abruzzi Chamois
Rupicapra ornata
French: Isard des Apennins / German: Abruzzen-Gamse / Spanish: Rebeco de los Abruzos
Other common names: Apennine Chamois
Taxonomy. Rupicapra ornata Neumann, 1899,
Abruzzi Apennines, Italy.
The Abruzzi Chamois has a low level of genetic variability, probably due to population bottlenecks and permanence of low numbers. More closely related to the Pyrenean Chamois (R. pyrenaica) than to the Alpine Chamois (R. rupicapra). Monotypic.
Distribution. Endemic to the Abruzzi Apennines in C Italy, in three subpopulations.
Descriptive notes. Head—body 105-120 cm, tail ¢. 3—4 cm, shoulder height ¢.76-80 cm; weight 23-35 kg (males) and 20-32 kg (females). Size much like the Pyrenean Chamois. The Abruzzi Chamois differs in coloration from other chamois species; it has a larger white throat patch and extensive white areas on the side and back of neck that extend to the shoulder.
Habitat. The Abruzzi Chamois occursat elevations of 400-2800 m. It uses alpine meadows during warm seasons but moves to lower forested areas during winter when snow accumulation limits access to forage in high meadows. Use of wind-protected, steep slopes prevails in winter.
Food and Feeding. Probably feeds on forbs and grass in the warm season and consumes a higher percentage of browse in the winter.
Breeding. The Abruzzi Chamois mates in November-December and gives birth in May-June to a single young after gestation of 165-175 days.
Activity patterns. During summer, feeding occurs in early morning and afternoon.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. Usually moves from a high-elevation summer range to a lower-elevation winter range. Size of home range is variable depending on population density, winter conditions, and forage availability and quality. Older males and females are dominant over younger individuals. Herd size is highly variable, largely dependent on population density.
Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix I (as R. pyrenaica ornata). Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List (as R. p. ornata). The entire population of the Abruzzi Chamois is only about 1100. Numbers are increasing in protected areas. Spatial and forage competition with domestic livestock is the primary limiting factor. High numbers oftourists in national parks can be a major cause of stress to the Abruzzi Chamois because of harassment. Major conservation efforts include reestablishing and restoring populations in protected areas and developing integrated management grazing plans to diminish the negative effects of domestic livestock.
Bibliography. Apollonio, Andersen & Putman (2010), Apollonio, Ciuti et al. (2010), Cancrini et al. (1985), Cederna & Lovari (1985), Corlatti et al. (2011), Ferrari & Rossi (1985), Giacometti et al. (1997), Groves & Grubb (2011), Grubb (2005), Herrero, Lovari & Berducou (2008), Locati & Lovari (1900), Lorenzini (2005), Lovari (1984, 1985, 1987), Lovari & Cosentino (1986), Lovari & Scala (1980), Masini & Lovari (1988), Nascetti et al. (1985), Rodriguez et al. (2009).
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 697, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6512484