Budorcas taxicolor Hodgson 1850
Creators: name: Don E. Wilson
name: Russell A. Mittermeier
Publisher: name: Lynx Edicions
Year: 2011
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Artiodactyla
Bovidae
Budorcas
Budorcas taxicolor

description: 169.
Mishmi Takin
Budorcas taxicolor
French: Takin des Mishmi / German: Mishmi-Takin / Spanish: Takin de Mishmi
Taxonomy. Budorcas taxicolor Hodgson, 1850,
Mishmi Hills, E Himalayas.
The four takin species are differentiated on the basis of body color and mtDNA analysis of Chinese populations. Based on a phylogenetic study, takins are related to caprines and in particular to Ammotragus and Ouvis. Monotypic.
Distribution. NE India (Mishmi Hills, Arunachal Pradesh), N Myanmar, S China (SE Xizang, NW Yunnan).
Descriptive notes. Head—body ¢.170-220 cm,tail c.10-22 cm, shoulder height c.107-140 cm; weight ¢. 150-350 kg. Male horn measurements of the Mishmi Takin are similar to those of Sichuan Takin (B. tibetana). Males are significantly larger than females in horn and body measurements. Horns grow slightly upward, and then turn outward and backward with the horn tips upward. Takins have large, bovine-like bodies, a shaggy coat including long hair on the side and under the jaws, stout legs, prominent dew claws, and are taller at the shoulder than the hip. Mature Mishmi Takins have black haunches, belly, legs, lower neck, and entire face; black coloration under the neck extends to the lower flanks. The upper body parts are pale yellow, with a brindled area between the upper body and the lower dark areas. Diploid chromosome number is 42.
Habitat. Occur at elevation of 1200-3000 m but may occupy higher elevations in the summer to reach alpine meadows. They also inhabit mixed coniferous and broadleafed deciduous forests where forage can be seasonally more available. They also often occur in densely vegetated areas where they may be difficult to see. Takins are often found in steep terrain; they are most vulnerable to human disturbance at lower elevations, although livestock grazing is practiced at all elevations where they occur. Longevity is 16-18 years but mortality in wild populations is unknown. Larger predators probably do not cause significant mortality because they are rare.
Food and Feeding. Detailed studies of food habits have not been conducted. Takins are primarily browsers, feeding on shrubs and tree species, but forage preferences can vary seasonally. Forbs are an important forage in spring. Takins are able to bend or break smaller trees to feed on leaves. They also rear on their hindlimbs to reach higher vegetation. Salt licks are favored sites.
Breeding. Although males and females reach sexual maturity by 3-5 years of age, males probably do not participate in mating until they are several years older. Older males probably do most of the mating. Mating probably occurs in August-September and births occur in March-April after a gestation period of c.210 days. Only singleton births have been recorded. Pregnant females probably do not leave female herds to give birth.
Activity patterns. Takins are usually most active in early morning and late afternoon but in winter they may feed intermittently throughout the day.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. Detailed studies are lacking. Takins make seasonal movements from alpine meadows in summer to lower-elevation forested habitats in winter. Herds that exceed 100 animals form in spring, but large herds break up into smaller groups of 10-40 animals by autumn. Single males or two males together are common.
Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix II. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List and in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of India. Status and numbers of most populations are unknown. Monitoring, population studies, and management programs are urgently needed. Illegal hunting, habitat loss due to deforestation, and habitat degradation due to livestock use of forage resources are threats. In Myanmar, takins are rare due to poaching. Cooperative management programs between countries that share takin populations should be implemented.
Bibliography. Ellerman & Morrison-Scott (1966), Fox & Johnsingh (1997), Groves & Grubb (2011), Grubb (2005), Li Ming, Meng Shijie et al. (2003), Li Ming, Wei Fuwen et al. (2003), MacKinnon (2008), Menon (2009), Neas & Hoffmann (1987), Salter & Shackleton (1997), Song Yanling et al. (2008), Wang Sung et al. (1997), Wu Chunhua et al. (2003).
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 669, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6512484