Unravelling the vertebrate scavenger assemblage in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia

Abstract

Despite the essential role that vertebrate scavengers play in ecosystems, most studies have been conducted in Europe and North America, and there is a lack of information on vertebrate scavengers in vast regions of the

world. Our aim was to describe the functioning and composition of the unknown vertebrate scavenger assem- blage in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia, and determine how carcass size and habitat type affect species composition

and carrion use. We monitored carcasses with camera traps and we also conducted observation points to survey the raptor community and identify the proportion of raptor species making use of the carcasses. We recorded

eight vertebrate scavenger species (five birds and three mammals) by camera trap and seven raptors at obser- vation points. Over half of the raptor species recorded at the observation points were also found feeding on

carrion. The two most threatened species were only recorded in the mountain habitat. Furthermore, scavenger abundance and consumption rates were higher at large carcasses. This study highlights the importance of

scavenging by raptors and other vertebrate scavengers for carrion elimination in ecosystems with extreme cli- matic conditions.