Compared diets of sympatric beira antelopes and domestic goats in the growing season

The beira ( Dorcatragus megalotis ) is a threatened antelope of the Horn of Africa, whose feeding habits are poorly documented. Using micro-histological analysis of faeces, we examined its wet season diet in arid hills of the Republic of Djibouti and compared it to that of sympatric domestic goats ( Capra hircus ). As expected, the goat was found to be an intermediate feeder, eating ca. 50 % of grasses. In contrast, the beira was found to be a strict browser, feeding selectively on the leaves of woody plants and forbs. Furthermore, the beira appeared to consume little the forb Aizoon canariense and the shrub Croton somalensis , two plants that were found to be important food items for the goat, and are known for becoming major components of the flora in the event of overgrazing and subsequent soil degradation. Despite the contrasted diets of the two species, overgrazing by domestic goats may thus constitute a major threat for the long-term survival of the beira.