Ovis laristanica Nasonov 1909
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 laristanica

description: 190.
Laristan Sheep
Ovis laristanica
French: Mouflon du Laristan / German: Laristan-Wildschaf / Spanish: Muflén de Laristan
Other common names: Shiraz Sheep; Kerman Sheep (Kerman province, Iran)
Taxonomy. Ouvis laristanica Nasonov, 1909,
Laristan, S Persia (Iran).
Sheep taxonomy is controversial; the Anatolian Sheep (O. gmelini), the Isfahan Sheep (O. isphahanica), and the Laristan Sheep 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. Diploid chromosome number is 54, the same as O. gmelini, but they differ in anatomical body features. Because Laristan Sheep possess both urial characteristics (horns curl along the side of the head) and Anatolian Sheep characteristics (saddle patch present), it is possible that this species originated from a hybrid that became geographically isolated and evolved into a form with urial-type horns but with Anatolian Sheep-type chromosomes and pelage. However, it is also possible that Laristan Sheep evolved from an isolated Anatolian Sheep population that evolved urial type horns but retained the anatomical features of Anatolian Sheep (i.e. reduced neck ruff and a saddle patch). Horn shape can be variable within a sheep population and isolated forms could have evolved a uniform horn shape. Wild sheep sampled 160 km south of the city of Kerman in south-eastern Iran in the Khabrva-Rouchoun Wildlife Refuge have a variable diploid chromosome number of 54 and 55, indicative of a hybrid population. The range of these “ Kerman Sheep” is geographically intermediate between that of Laristan Sheep to the west and Afghan Urial (O. cycloceros) from southern Pakistan. They resemble Laristan Sheep in having curling horns and a white saddle but differ in that the neck ruff is black and may be restricted to the lower neck or extend the full length of the neck. Monotypic.
Distribution. S Iran, from the area N of the city of Shiraz S into Fars Province, at least as far S as the Hormoud Protected Area.
Descriptive notes. Head-body mean 124 cm (two adult males) and 119 cm (two adult females), tail 12-8 cm (males) and 12 cm (females), ear 11-3 cm (males) and 11-5 cm (females), hindfoot 35 cm (males) and 32-5 (females); weight 49-3 kg (males) and 29-5 kg (females). Horns curl along side of head. The longest recorded male horn measured 79 cm, with a basal horn circumference of 25 cm; males can weigh up to 64 kg. Female horns rarely exceed 25 cm in length and 11 cm in circumference. Males are at least 30% larger than females. In winter pelage, adult males have a black neck ruff on the lower neck and chest and a white saddle patch of variable size. Both males and females have a brown body color and a distinct light rump patch.
Habitat. In the Bamou National Park north of the city of Shiraz, Laristan Sheep occur from valley bottoms to undulating and mountainousterrain. They usually are not sighted in steep, rocky terrain. Gray Wolves (Canis lupus) and Leopards (Panthera pardus) are the predators. Wild sheep in Iran are parasitized by several species of platyhelminths. The high incidence of some larval cestodes indicates the presence of canid reservoir hosts, probably wild and domestic canids, including sheep-herding dogs.
Food and Feeding. Laristan Sheep preferably graze on grasses, but in arid southern Iran, browse probably predominates.
Breeding. Mating probably occurs in November; after a gestation period of 150-160 days, ewes give birth to one or two young in April. The reproductive tracts of 57 ewes aged from one to four or more years of age were examined during late gestation, and all of the ewes were pregnant. None of the yearlings or two-year-olds had twins, but 25% of the three-year-olds and 53% of those four or older had twins. None of the lambs examined were pregnant, indicating that Laristan Sheep mate as yearlings and give birth at age two.
Activity patterns. There is no specific information available for this species, but likely more active in early morning and evening, like other sheep.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no specific information available for this species, but probably similar to other wild sheep.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List (as O. orientalis laristanica). During the 1970s, the population in the Bamou National Park was estimated at 1150. Recent estimates are not available. The Laristan Sheep population near the city of Shiraz, which borders the Bamou National Park, is highly vulnerable to illegal hunting, predation by feral dogs, and transmission of diseases from domestic sheep and goats. Outside protected areas, Laristan Sheep occur in areas overstocked with livestock and subjected to illegal hunting. Populations have been extirpated over widespread areas.
Bibliography. Andanje et al. (2011), Ellerman & Morrison-Scott (1966), Eslami, Rahbari & Meydani (1981), Groves & Grubb (2011), Grubb (2005), Namgail et al. (2010), Valdez (1976, 1982, 2008b), Valdez & DeForge (1985), Valdez, Alamia et al. (1977), Valdez, Nadler & Bunch (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