18 de março de 2024

A comparison of adaptive colouration between the puku (Kobus vardoni) of south-central Africa and the hard-ground barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii branderi) of peninsular India

INTRODUCTION

Bovids (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bovidae) and cervids (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deer) are, in a loose sense, ecological counterparts on different landmasses.

Cervids tend to replace bovids in seasonally frigid (e.g. boreal zone) or monsoonal (e.g. southern Asia) climates ().

However, there are a few cases where the niches seem particularly similar, warranting a detailed comparison of adaptive features.

Such is the case for Kobus vardoni (the puku) of south-central Africa and the hard-ground barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii branderi) of peninsular India.

https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Kobus_vardonii/
https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Rucervus_duvaucelii/

Both are gregarious, medium-large ruminants associated mainly with seasonally marshy patches in tropical savannas.

https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/80389-adaptive-colouration-in-the-hard-ground-barasingha-rucervus-duvaucelii-branderi

Ground-colour

https://www.dreamstime.com/female-barasingha-swamp-deer-two-rucervus-duvaucelii-kanha-national-park-india-image278045969

Anterior auricular flag

Posterior auricular flag/semet

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/198081638
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/72271929

muted in mature males in hard antler: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/56530570

Buccal semet

Caudal flag

Neither K. vardoni nor R. d. branderi possesses a caudal flag.

In K. vardoni, the tail is fairly long, but

  • remarkably slim, with a negligible tassel,
  • inconspicuous in colouration, despite having a nominally whitish ventral surface and a nominally dark centre to the (invariably small) tassel, and
  • never erected in alarm (whether standing, running, or stotting).

In R. d. branderi, the tail is short and lacks a tassel, but

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/181158287

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/157012025

Pedal flag

Neither K. vardoni nor R. d. branderi possess a pedal flag. This is significant because closely-related congeners of the bovid do possess pedal flags (https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/90862-kobus-kob-kob-as-the-west-and-central-african-counterpart-for-the-common-impala-aepyceros-melampus-part-1#).

DISCUSSION

Both K. vardoni and R. d. branderi are remarkably plain in colouration.

The convergence in colouration exceeds that in other features, particularly the head-adornments but also the shape of the head

In both K. vardoni and R. d. branderi, the eyes are narrow-set compared to certain cervids, e.g. Cervus and Dama.

However, they differ in that the eyes face laterally in the former, and somewhat forwards in the latter.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/123326209

A general difference between bovids and cervids is that the tail tends to be longer in the former than in the latter.

This difference applies in the present comparison.

However, it makes little difference to the adaptive colouration, because in both cases the tail lacks dark/pale contrast.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/162619682

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/157012022

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/146966101

Posted on 18 de março de 2024, 08:04 AM by milewski milewski | 34 comentários | Deixar um comentário

Seasonality of the silvereye (Zosterops lateralis) in the Perth metropolitan area, Western Australia

@hillsflora @george_seagull @lifeisamazing

The silvereye (Zosterops lateralis, https://www.google.com.au/search?q=Silvereye+call+audio&sca_esv=82c0c058482216c1&sxsrf=ACQVn0_G2CtHW12KuncPFmobfGn6mGnlMg%3A1710742005946&source=hp&ei=9dn3ZaPoNYmfseMPudCKsAQ&iflsig=ANes7DEAAAAAZffoBQrMhLoUspoVVT9bxocquuv6p_KI&ved=0ahUKEwjjtsDMkv2EAxWJT2wGHTmoAkYQ4dUDCBc&uact=5&oq=Silvereye+call+audio&gs_lp=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&sclient=gws-wiz#vhid=j1mOkDRXPToJpM&vssid=videos-b34f79f9 and https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/202505-Zosterops-lateralis) is widespread in the southwestern part of Western Australia.

The subspecies Zosterops lateralis chloronotus (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_silvereye) occurs in the Perth metropolitan area (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=19379&subview=map&taxon_id=202505), where I have lived for many years.

My consistent experience in my leafy inner-city suburb, from year to year, has been that the silvereye is only noticeable in autumn, based on auditory clues.

A particular pattern has been clear to me for decades, and up to the present:
During autumn, I notice the sibilant contact-call of the silvereye in my garden and hereabouts. By contrast, at other times of the year I neither see nor hear the species.

This has given me the impression of a seasonal movement, in which the population moves through the suburbs - presumably northwards - about the time of the autumn equinox.

I cannot rule out the possibility that the population is unobtrusively resident, but simply becomes audible in autumn. However, I doubt this, because

Posted on 18 de março de 2024, 05:04 AM by milewski milewski | 1 comentário | Deixar um comentário

A collation of sundry (some mislabelled) photos of the puku (Kobus vardoni) on the Web, part 2

...continued from https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/90985-a-collation-of-sundry-some-mislabelled-photos-of-the-puku-kobus-vardoni-on-the-Web, part 1#

HABITAT

Floodplain (treeless grassland)

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/group-puku-antelopes-near-river-alert-1717302883https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-kobus-vardonii-busanga-plains-kafue-2428282255

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-puku-kobus-vardonii-herd-by-waters-edge-119778461.html?imageid=8415F851-3186-4893-96EA-3033CBA3107F&p=191737&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/busanga-plains-is-an-exclusive-safari-destination-in-kafue-national-park-north-western-province-zambia-home-to-thriving-herds-of-puku-and-lechwe-image354442601.html?imageid=96D49507-D43D-48EB-9B12-6686BE0823AB&p=69111&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-female-pukus-kobus-vardonii-luambe-national-park-zambia-africa-39498087.html?imageid=21586BA6-A63A-44A2-8C07-EBA06069BB7F&p=57165&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

Marsh (remaining green in dry season)

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/group-pukus-black-crowned-cranes-natural-2152591525

https://www.facebook.com/WildlifeCamp/photos/puku-running-through-some-deep-water-puku-are-found-in-south-luangwa-national-pa/10156901175283156/

https://www.alamy.com/puku-kobus-vardonii-are-a-species-of-antelope-threatened-due-to-decreasing-habitat-they-thrive-in-wet-grasslands-in-kafue-national-park-zambia-image233112411.html?imageid=6CC112FA-3F16-4FA4-B55E-427364284B93&p=69111&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/female-puku.html?sortBy=relevant

Woodland

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-kafue-national-park-zambia-1930323302

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-walks-through-bushes-dappled-sunlight-2292013819

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/male-puku-antelope-kafue-national-park-759866062

https://www.alamy.com/female-of-puku-kobus-vardonii-african-antelope-kafue-national-park-zambia-image258999433.html?imageid=C5EEDC9B-ABBF-4AB5-83E9-96D7918FF9A4&p=18997&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

COEXISTENCE WITH AEPYCEROS MELAMPUS

Kobus vardoni coexists with A. melampus in e.g. Chobe National Park in northern Botswana, and two national parks in Zambia (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301280312_Population_characteristics_and_coexistence_of_puku_Kobus_vardonii_and_impala_Aepyceros_melampus_in_and_around_Kafue_National_Park_Zambia and https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/29571223).

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-female-pukus-kobus-vardonii-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-africa-39497190.html?imageid=4DFE684A-0307-4D4A-A7BA-06764B44C30A&p=57165&pn=2&searchId=4aa2a2926913d9b8b13ab0d4859d139f&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-female-pukus-kobus-vardonii-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-africa-39497239.html?imageid=E153828F-57A7-412A-80D0-D3B00AEDD761&p=57165&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-female-pukus-kobus-vardonii-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-africa-39497680.html?imageid=C4CA60E6-D765-43A5-8C71-43F992066A24&p=57165&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-female-puku-with-suckling-young-kobus-vardonii-south-luangwa-national-39497801.html?imageid=72FA1BF5-A170-4E31-A12C-6DE9326191AC&p=57165&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-female-puku-with-suckling-young-kobus-vardonii-south-luangwa-national-39497761.html?imageid=60478F61-AF5B-4FBD-A6F4-C917F39FE2B1&p=57165&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/adult-puku-kobus-vardonii-near-impala-in-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-image366951600.html?imageid=226766B9-6B3A-4F3A-A07F-1F8E312EFE70&p=690600&pn=1&searchId=6dd44f732fcf67c9b270e5f81f83300c&searchtype=0

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/grey-crowned-cranes-love-puku-impala-650871304

https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-impala-puku-aepyceros-melampus-kobus-vardonii-zambia-image50356749

https://www.mediastorehouse.com.au/fine-art-storehouse/nature-wildlife/ben-cranke/impala-puku-south-luangwa-np-zambia-15149633.html

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/profile-view-puku-antelope-kobus-vardonii-1160943076

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/impala-grazing-213981400

https://www.alamy.com/a-group-of-female-impalas-aepyceros-melampus-and-puku-kobus-vardonii-grazing-in-south-luangwa-national-park-in-zambia-southern-africa-image598976322.html?imageid=C13C361F-CE63-45FA-863D-1A508DA3E5D0&p=11309&pn=4&searchId=cb604518d187eec4e0961b4c7ba2dc63&searchtype=0

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-antelope-south-luangwa-valley-zambia-1969915657

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/elephant-walking-front-group-pukus-south-1555562840

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/male-puku-antelope-kobus-vardonii-standing-789492073

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/profile-view-puku-antelope-kobus-vardonii-1160943079

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-antelope-south-luangwa-valley-zambia-1969915657

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/male-puku-antelope-kobus-vardonii-standing-789492061

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-female-pukus-kobus-vardonii-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-africa-39496955.html?imageid=0255975B-C838-4871-A11F-0FE0AE26E9DB&p=57165&pn=2&searchId=4aa2a2926913d9b8b13ab0d4859d139f&searchtype=0

COLOURATION

Countershading

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/female-puku.html?sortBy=relevant

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/solitary-male-puku-antelope-kobus-vardonii-1085192054

Pale on ventral/anterior surface of neck

https://www.alamy.com/pukus-kobus-vardonii-in-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-pukus-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-image554645884.html?imageid=70DB440A-4BA2-4A2A-9C83-4AA4775EDD6D&p=2184918&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

Residual/incipient band on lower flanks/belly

https://www.alamy.com/puku-kobus-vardonii-in-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-puku-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-image554646007.html?imageid=400C7F4A-C4FC-4712-8446-982514BD414B&p=2184918&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/wildlife-chobe-national-park-botswana-2222434941

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-kobus-vardonii-senganus-male-standing-1624748146

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/male-puku-walking-south-luangwa-2420659305

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/male-puku-154457786

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-puku-kobus-vardonii-weibchen-und-jungtier-south-luangwa-national-park-107698960.html?imageid=DEACA7BA-3104-41F5-9F48-5333C521C15C&p=205512&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

Lack of conspicuous pattern on hindquarters (including tail)

https://www.alamy.com/puku-kobus-vardonii-in-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-puku-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-image554645894.html?imageid=5947E7F8-BF9A-45FE-9C28-F283212ED2BF&p=2184918&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/female-puku-kobus-vardonii-standing-in-grassland-in-south-luangwa-national-park-in-zambia-southern-africa-image597927112.html?imageid=B1D5916E-9A78-4B99-9E54-D54026E89FF7&p=11309&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/wild-puku-antelope-african-savannah-427182217

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-photographed-bush-zambia-23460037

https://www.alamy.com/kob-hind-and-fawn-disturbed-at-a-salt-lick-mole-national-park-northern-image1833508.html?imageid=5BE18701-13D7-491E-9BCB-4940D6D1E1B3&p=54834&pn=7&searchId=b27cc7ee52bb614a82ca2293933ebfc9&searchtype=0

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/two-puku-standing-side-by-on-555387223

White on ventral (inner) surface of tail

https://www.alamy.com/puku-moorantilope-image333998332.html?imageid=E1053F55-4D4D-4BD0-8AB5-28C431A29488&p=1151839&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

Plainness on front-of-ear (lack of anterior auricular flag)

https://www.alamy.com/puku-kobus-vardonii-chobe-national-park-botsuana-image360761693.html?imageid=E4C8868D-C329-44A6-83FA-66038A3C7635&p=369970&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/solitary-male-puku-antelope-kobus-vardonii-1085192051

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/portrait-puku-kobus-vardoni-botswana-8702971

Posterior auricular flag/semet

https://www.alamy.com/adult-female-puku-kobus-vardonii-in-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-image366951605.html?imageid=BFE88D8B-B516-4E5D-BA85-FFC0F47B58DE&p=690600&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-12992003-puku-sits-on-ground-looks-around-starts

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/pair-brown-lechwe-antelope-eating-lush-444226501

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/pair-brown-lechwe-antelope-eating-lush-444226480https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-deer-africa-126857135

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-female-puku-in-grass-botswana-12485840.html?imageid=6FE24989-219A-4CC1-A777-4C0A2172D318&p=29229&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/puku-north-luangwa-national-park-zambia-image9033427.html?imageid=10B9D1F3-6053-4070-A778-41E88CBEEA44&p=18535&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

Plainness on anterior surfaces of legs

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/male-puku-158764706

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-antelope-south-luangwa-national-park-350486321

Lack of pedal flag (differing from Kobus kob)

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-kobus-vardonii-senganus-male-standing-1707732895

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/young-male-puku-antelope-kobus-vardonii-743835292

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/impala-aepyceros-melampus-huge-male-staying-1536369902

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/solitary-male-puku-antelope-kobus-vardonii-1085192069

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/solitary-female-puku-antelope-kobus-vardonii-1085192057

White on inner surface of upper hindleg

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-female-puku-kobus-yardonii-walking-31832363.html?imageid=905185DD-F0A5-4B72-8489-BBF2792AFDF8&p=34420&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-8387497-african-elephants-walking-past-pukus

Also see https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/80389-adaptive-colouration-in-the-hard-ground-barasingha-rucervus-duvaucelii-branderi#

Posted on 18 de março de 2024, 03:43 AM by milewski milewski | 0 comentários | Deixar um comentário

16 de março de 2024

A collation of sundry (some mislabelled) photos of the puku (Kobus vardoni) on the Web, part 1

@michalsloviak @matthewinabinett @jwidness @variani18

The puku (Kobus vardoni) is well-covered in iNaturalist, with >400 observations as in March 2024 (https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/42326-Kobus-vardonii).

However, there are now also many photographs of this nondescript and hitherto obscure bovid scattered across the Web, some of them mislabelled.

The aim of this Post is to collate sundry photos - excluding those in iNaturalist - with a preliminary sorting according to the biological features that they best illustrate.

https://www.edwardselfephotosafaris.com/know-your-african-wildlife-puku

https://www.krugerpark.co.za/africa_puku.html

https://www.edwardselfephotosafaris.com/know-your-african-wildlife-puku

FULL-FIGURE PORTRAITS

Adult males

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/male-puku-kobus-vardoni-south-luangwa-2435500489

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/single-puku-antelope-kobus-vardonii-standing-1826802317

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-antelope-302542853

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/african-reedbuck-antelope-6645886

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/amazing-close-huge-male-puku-standing-2202295779

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-photographed-bush-zambia-23460037

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-kobus-vardonii-mediumsized-antelope-found-1604941144

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/male-puku-walking-south-luangwa-2420659305

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/male-puku-154457786

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/male-puku-kobus-vardonii-554413357

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-standing-green-wetland-kobus-vardoni-43774738

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-kobus-vardonii-senganus-male-standing-1707732895

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/lechwe-waterbuck-kobus-leche-pukumoorantilope-south-170422943

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/male-puku-antelope-787790782

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/african-puku-antelope-6643894

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/african-puku-antelope-6643882

Juvenile/adolescent males

https://www.alamy.com/zambia-south-luangwa-national-park-puku-kobus-vardonii-young-male-with-females-in-grassy-habitat-image591892638.html?imageid=BE66B3F0-4952-41A1-838B-CDE432215A67&p=88978&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0 and https://www.alamy.com/zambia-south-luangwa-national-park-puku-kobus-vardonii-young-male-with-females-in-grassy-habitat-image591892647.html?imageid=16501400-EBBF-434C-BC4D-2715D05DB5C7&p=88978&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/female-of-puku-kobus-vardonii-african-antelope-kafue-national-park-zambia-image258999519.html?imageid=E7946ADD-A76C-40EA-94F1-0F31BFB5FD02&p=18997&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/portrait-young-male-puku-antelope-kobus-4157632

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/male-puku-antelope-kobus-vardonii-chobe-152307572

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/group-puku-antelopes-near-river-alert-1716334624

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/brown-lechwe-antelope-lush-grass-444226474

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/pair-brown-lechwe-antelope-eating-lush-444226510

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-close-429151489

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/male-puku-antelope-kobus-vardonii-chobe-25276339

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/male-puku-antelope-kobus-vardonii-chobe-65543002

https://www.alamy.com/female-of-puku-kobus-vardonii-african-antelope-busanga-plains-kafue-national-park-zambia-image259312221.html?imageid=987EF3D5-50D1-4986-9D81-102348851C8C&p=18997&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

Adult females

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-puku-kobus-vardoni-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-11846545.html?imageid=1779BADD-C144-4106-A896-F78A25E4892F&p=74587&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0 and https://www.alamy.com/puku-moorantilope-image333998332.html?imageid=E1053F55-4D4D-4BD0-8AB5-28C431A29488&p=1151839&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/puku-kobus-vardonii-chobe-national-park-botsuana-image360761700.html?imageid=ED3DA843-5B27-48FE-8844-ED8C87725915&p=369970&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/female-puku-kobus-vardonii-standing-on-open-savanna-zambia-image179666235.html?imageid=4F7EC6B1-A2A5-4C89-A83E-4FA196FE51B8&p=524999&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/chobe-national-park-puku-antilopes-africa-2384186743 and https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/chobe-national-park-puku-antilopes-africa-2384187155

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/red-lechwe-kobus-leche-195874493 and https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-antilope-195868865

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-antelope-zambia-1155450292

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/reedbuck-zambia-south-luangwa-national-park-2340532477

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/female-puku-kobus-vardoni-grazing-on-2435500321

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/two-puku-193651553

Juvenile/adolescent females

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/female-puku.html?sortBy=relevant

https://awesomewonder.blog/2017/09/07/puku/

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/female-puku-south-luangwa-zambia-2420654841

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/female-puku-kobus-vardoni-grazing-on-2435500319

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-impala-zambia-2388457587

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-antelope-female-alerted-predator-2341236505

Infants

https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-9371921-young-puku-eats-grass-looks-into-camera

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-fawn-foraging-food-natural-african-2323296309

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-born-south-luangwa-zambia-late-1007343847

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-fawn-south-luangwa-valley-zambia-1132522259

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/photo-head-young-puku-taken-south-1778937386

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/baby-puku-south-luangwa-national-park-1452212741

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-newborn-baby-sun-1604728153

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/male-puku-kobus-vardoni-young-south-2433232501

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/baby-antelope-mother-background-427182208

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-baby-146984708

https://www.alamy.com/fermale-and-baby-of-puku-kobus-vardonii-african-antelope-busanga-plains-kafue-national-park-zambia-image264337166.html?imageid=12526BFA-F786-4DEB-9F1D-D28ED7F5EADE&p=19327&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/photo-of-the-head-of-a-young-puku-photo-taken-in-south-luangwa-zambia-image366165921.html?imageid=C7C120D8-7CCF-49F5-9589-A25D1A76B63B&p=1316405&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

POSTURES AND GAITS

Sternal recumbency

Sternal recumbency is more frequently photographed in K. vardoni than in Aepyceros melampus. In its proclivity to lie down by day to chew the cud, K. vardoni resembles Redunca, which belongs to the same tribe (Reduncini). However, it seems not to seek cover (either tall grass or shade) while doing so.

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-kobus-vardonii-herd-by-waters-475608517

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/male-puku-kobus-vardoni-south-luangwa-2433232593

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/isolated-puku-antelope-resting-on-dry-1637230621

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/brown-lechwe-antelope-lush-grass-444217966

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/male-puku-antelope-sitting-on-grassy-222965476

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/herd-puku-grass-1612434499

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-kafue-national-park-zambia-1930323299

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/male-puku-south-luangwa-national-park-2250229335

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/male-puku-lying-on-grass-108359756

https://www.dreamstime.com/portrait-male-impala-portrait-male-impala-resting-resting-serene-beautiful-image301764274

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-a-solitary-puku-antelope-kobus-vardonii-sitting-and-relaxing-on-a-92964405.html?imageid=050B46FC-BE10-475A-AC9A-5DAF699802C6&p=277722&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

Kneeling

https://www.alamy.com/zambia-kafue-natioinal-park-puku-kobus-vardonii-female-milking-a-baby-image554333949.html?imageid=F5CAD8F5-75F9-4172-8C4C-40310A1624EE&p=158369&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-puku-kobus-vardonii-female-with-suckling-lamb-kafue-national-park-172858513.html?imageid=606E21F6-EFFE-4259-AF82-BA53CAFBB64B&p=204862&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

Semi cross-walking

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C39XUUMKIyL/

https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-1104048149-puku-fawn-foraging-food-natural-african-bushland

https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-1104048151-puku-fawn-foraging-food-natural-african-bushland

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-impala-zambia-2388457589

https://www.flickr.com/photos/garymacfadyen/6858632163/in/photolist-8yvVYv-bs5hoF-oHoPm1-88MCoG-227jrXD-J8b1cs-VBE3L2-4Crmx8-cNXo7E-5fM1QW-cNWjxN-5hc8U3-6oBQty-V9JYo6-dZpcD3-qoxmzf-8Tdym8-6Hgaqq-9aHM8G-qrxfd7-qaaegT-puQwUa-a6yFcY-qrxiEh-qrwNVd-qaaHQB-qa1XxL-qabFCP-GX1wyP-qa2Ety-puA3LW-bs2XPT-qwunP-qabJiD-qrAntB-qrw9XE-qaaxWt-a6yEL5-qrqmLv-qrq88P-qa1MFw-qa8Giz-qrqovT-7g8hrU-qrpbP8-qpi3tQ-puQpkT-qrqPJP-dHsKy1-puQTw2

Stotting

https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-33150280-leopard-walks-past-puku-keeps-eye-on

https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photos-leaping-safety-image1304613

https://www.alamy.com/female-puku-kobus-vardonii-jumping-over-pool-of-water-chobe-river-botswana-may-image263012261.html?imageid=B55E36DF-5DD2-4439-8133-E59656F79F69&p=269411&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-images-jumping-safety-image1304619

https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photos-leaping-safety-image1304613

Galloping

https://www.alamy.com/kobus-vardoni-puku-pukus-kobus-vardonii-antelopes-ungulates-even-toed-ungulates-mammals-animals-puku-adult-male-running-on-grassland-south-image545688146.html

https://www.pond5.com/stock-footage/item/39997246-male-and-female-puku-running-along-river-bank

https://www.alamy.com/muddy-male-puku-running-kafue-river-kafue-national-park-zambia-africa-image354789148.html

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pimgmx/26876780823

https://www.mindenpictures.com/stock-photo-puku-kobus-vardonii-adult-male-running-on-grassland-south-luangwa-naturephotography-image80175413.html

https://www.alamy.com/females-and-young-running-puku-kafue-river-kafue-national-park-zambia-africa-image354789665.html?imageid=D1799A98-AF91-4131-AFBA-F38F00976305&p=135160&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/fermale-of-puku-kobus-vardonii-african-antelope-busanga-plains-kafue-national-park-zambia-image259385549.html?imageid=F8A2B91F-AFE7-4DC5-8A18-AA8FCA4D2D36&p=18997&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.mindenpictures.com/stock-photo/puku-(kobus-vardonii)-male-running-through-water-south-luangwa-national-park/search/detailmodal-0_00597824.html

ANATOMY

Tail

https://www.alamy.com/fermale-and-baby-of-puku-kobus-vardonii-african-antelope-busanga-plains-kafue-national-park-zambia-image262355115.html?imageid=A4FC4472-3355-4C57-B7C5-70DFE2832C8B&p=18997&pn=2&searchId=4aa2a2926913d9b8b13ab0d4859d139f&searchtype=0

Stifle-fold

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/zambia-south-luangwa-male-puku-2213713269

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/long-shot-profile-isolated-male-puku-1565379262

False hooves/dewclaws

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-antelope-ram-standing-early-morning-2341236525

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-kobus-vardonii-senganus-male-standing-1537027127

Rhinarium

https://www.alamy.com/puku-kobus-vardonii-in-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-puku-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-image554645462.html?imageid=35221803-96C2-4DEF-9D9B-421FF66065A4&p=2184918&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/male-puku-154457786

https://www.alamy.com/a-young-female-puku-antelope-kobus-vardonii-in-the-chobe-national-park-region-of-northern-botswana-africa-image337919960.html?imageid=65EB6A69-1B0C-4A44-96FB-E5C6DADA33D7&p=16440&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

Labial vibrissae

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/female-puku-antelope-poses-zambia-2327793793

Preorbital gland

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-africa-sambia-female-puku-and-baby-puku-kobus-vardonii-38035795.html?imageid=F36CCDCC-5F72-4BCB-90C7-C5D17A00E32C&p=32818&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

SOCIOSEXUAL BEHAVIOUR

https://www.alamy.com/mating-of-pukus-kobus-vardonii-african-antelope-in-busanga-plains-kafue-national-park-zambia-image266772074.html?imageid=AC7A2929-57B0-4747-A13B-D942D61C971E&p=19327&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-female-pukus-kobus-vardonii-luambe-national-park-zambia-africa-39498123.html?imageid=AE991BE3-55F4-48D5-AC39-8B024209A004&p=57165&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

Gregariousness

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/large-group-pukus-near-river-alerted-1623929755

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/group-puku-antelopes-near-river-alert-1715293150

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/small-group-puku-antelope-kobus-vardonii-360757904

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/herd-puku-1965302

https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-18976063-grey-crowned-crane-walking-past-resting-puku

https://www.alamy.com/busanga-plains-is-an-exclusive-safari-destination-in-kafue-national-park-north-western-province-zambia-home-to-thriving-herds-of-puku-and-lechwe-image354442485.html?imageid=A6A514DF-A2DB-4D36-8574-A639DA48045F&p=69111&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/kobus-vardonii-pukus-south-luangwa-nationalpark-zambia-image61620212.html?imageid=8E46A45E-FE56-452B-8194-4DEF78FC6F4A&p=154309&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-female-pukus-kobus-vardonii-luambe-national-park-zambia-africa-39498049.html?imageid=80BA881D-DDFD-405F-8279-F51B2A4DB017&p=57165&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/puku-kobus-vardonii-are-a-species-of-antelope-threatened-due-to-decreasing-habitat-they-thrive-in-wet-grasslands-of-kafue-national-park-image233112053.html?imageid=1EA29E44-E72F-4FE2-99D5-C7DCD35CADD5&p=69111&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

Sparring

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/three-puku-south-luangwa-national-park-161186477

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-fight-148074962

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/rutting-puku-south-luangwa-national-park-161186480

https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-1040029403-profile-view-male-puku-antelopes-fighting-super

Suckling

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-female-puku-with-suckling-young-kobus-vardonii-south-luangwa-national-39497834.html?imageid=AAD2342F-C18C-4DE2-950A-EA9B9ADA9BFF&p=57165&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/baby-puku-mother-1133844194

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/baby-puku-mother-1133844200

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/baby-puku-mother-1133844197

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-kobus-vardonii-female-suckling-lamb-2399668207

AS PREY

Broken hindleg

https://www.alamy.com/puku-kobus-vardonii-adult-female-standing-south-luangwa-n-p-zambia-image552559167.html?imageid=F3892B00-9C53-45EC-B2B7-8BD4206D559B&p=2101404&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

for Panthera pardus

https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-1037331323-spectacular-view-leopard-walking-over-sand-near

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/leopard-killed-puku-57138328

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/hunting-gone-well-leopard-licking-puku-1511770814

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-female-leopard-feeding-on-puku-kill-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-13100871.html?imageid=9F1B322D-6AC1-4B65-BC41-7E931EC245BD&p=6945&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

for Lycaon pictus

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/african-wild-dogs-attacking-puku-dust-779117632

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/lone-african-wild-dog-covered-blood-779114881

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/african-wild-dog-covered-blood-standing-768787084

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/african-wild-dog-feeding-on-puku-779117623

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/wild-dog-painted-killing-puku-south-764873581

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/black-white-image-pair-african-wild-792855700

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/vicious-attack-african-wild-dogs-lycaon-768271723

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/black-white-image-african-wild-dogs-792856174

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/african-wild-dogs-lycaon-pictus-attacking-768284161

FORAGING

Grazing

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/zambia-south-luangwa-male-puku-2213713255

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-female-pukus-kobus-vardonii-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-africa-39497869.html?imageid=05E8E3C4-2376-4A1E-AB03-7DBAA0D28DFC&p=57165&pn=2&searchId=4aa2a2926913d9b8b13ab0d4859d139f&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/puku-kobus-vardonii-in-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-puku-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-image554646016.html?imageid=0BE94DDB-D4E2-4EFF-9C1E-31CE0D2D573A&p=2184918&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/solitary-female-puku-antelope-kobus-vardonii-1085192048

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/african-reedbuck-antelope-6644914

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/lechwe-waterbuck-kobus-leche-pukumoorantilope-south-170423069

https://www.alamy.com/a-small-herd-of-male-and-female-puku-kobus-vardonii-grazing-on-the-grassland-in-south-luangwa-national-park-in-zambia-southern-africa-image597926600.html?imageid=D716B6BD-8EC9-428A-9094-7BBA9E48DE8C&p=11309&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/pukus-kobus-vardonii-in-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-pukus-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-image554738456.html?imageid=30C56293-4F47-41BB-A0A4-A44D9A6A219F&p=2184918&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

Drinking

https://www.alamy.com/stock-image-a-female-puku-kobus-vardonii-drinking-from-the-chobe-river-in-the-166879128.html?imageid=1A89F64B-D30C-40C1-9650-08695DB1B393&p=16440&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/stock-image-a-female-puku-kobus-vardonii-drinking-from-the-chobe-river-in-the-166879138.html?imageid=0633371A-F79A-4B4A-9539-26BA6F9E4E64&p=16440&pn=1&searchId=660be775941111ad3ff09a1a1eb9c3a4&searchtype=0

Rumination

https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-1096490627-amazing-close-up-beautiful-wild-impala-real-african

to be continued in https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/91029-a-collation-of-sundry-some-mislabelled-photos-of-the-puku-kobus-vardoni-on-the-web-part-2#...

Posted on 16 de março de 2024, 04:41 PM by milewski milewski | 10 comentários | Deixar um comentário

Groves and Grubb (2011)

Posted on 16 de março de 2024, 12:14 PM by milewski milewski | 0 comentários | Deixar um comentário

Lechwe

Posted on 16 de março de 2024, 04:15 AM by milewski milewski | 1 comentário | Deixar um comentário

An unusually clear series of photos of the blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus taurinus)

Posted on 16 de março de 2024, 04:06 AM by milewski milewski | 1 comentário | Deixar um comentário

14 de março de 2024

Kobus kob kob as the West and Central African counterpart for the common impala (Aepyceros melampus), part 2

...continued from https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/90862-kobus-kob-kob-as-the-west-and-central-african-counterpart-for-the-common-impala-aepyceros-melampus-part-1#

GAITS AND POSTURES

Walking

Reduncin bovids usually walk with a gait that I call a semi cross-walk, suited to slippery ground, wading, and (in the case of Redunca) cover-dependence and crypsis.

A semi cross-walk is sometimes evident in K. k. kob (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/6441928 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/4455437https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/103751919 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/49540044 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/6576868 and excellent clarity https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/6443567).

However, K. k. kob usually walks with a gait that I call an amble (https://www.flickr.com/photos/24544467@N02/14116742194 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/6576874 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/9619322 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/29326373 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/90271797 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/103751934 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/103751852 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/103751803 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/6442753 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5221625 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/150407398).

In this way it is convergent with A. melampus, which ambles (https://www.alamy.com/impala-or-rooibok-aepyceros-melampus-melampus-mosi-oa-tunya-national-park-zambia-africa-unesco-world-heritage-site-image570163886.html?imageid=01351974-461E-485E-9325-8E9B7BF951DD&p=781377&pn=5&searchId=e922776e8d1e36d28092ccbdc8ef1ed9&searchtype=0).

The diagnostic criterion is as follows. Please focus on the hind hoof.

  • in a semi cross-walk, the hind leaves the ground before the opposite fore touches the ground, whereas
  • in an amble, the hind leaves the ground only once the opposite fore has touched the ground.

The following, showing a semi cross-walk in A. melampus, is unusual in my experience: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/impala-aepyceros-melampus-mediumsized-antelope-found-1560109979.

Stotting

Kobus kob kob has not, as far as I know, been recorded stotting. However, both K. k. thomasi and K. vardoni are known to stot, indicating a similar gait in the nominate subspecies.

Aepyceros melampus does not stot, but instead kick-stots - unlike any other ungulate.

Bounding

Kobus kob kob differs from A. melampus in that it does not bound.

(The similarity shown in the following is misleading. Kobus vardoni here is stotting, instead of bounding like the accompanying A. melampus: https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photos-leaping-safety-image1304613.)

Foot-stamping? https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/53963188

Deliberate jumping of fences

I lack information on the jumping of fences by K. k. kob. However, other reduncins are known to jump fences deliberately. This suggests a considerable difference, because A. melampus does not deliberately jump fences even as low as 1.2 m high.

REPRODUCTION AND GROWTH

Reproduction is far less seasonal in K. k. kob than in A. melampus.

Gestation is longer in K. k. kob (261-271 days, referring to sspp. other than K.k. kob) than in A. melampus (190-210 days).

This is despite the fact that neonates are less massive in the former (4-5 kilograms in ssp. other than K. k. kob) than in the latter (4-5.5 kilograms).

The hiding period of infants is longer in K. k. kob than in A. melampus.

Overall, these results show K. k. kob to be considerably less precocial than A. melampus.

DISCUSSION

In both K. k. kob and A. melampus, olfactory communication for sociosexual purposes seems to be downplayed, relative to most ruminants.

Remaining glands (inguinal and possibly subauricular in the former, metatarsal in the latter) may function mainly in an anti-predator context (https://www.inaturalist.org/posts/39738-contrary-to-field-guide-books-reedbucks-redunca-spp-do-not-flag-the-tail-in-alarm#).

Reuncins are the tribe of bovids most associated with marshes. Where Kobus vardoni overlaps ecologically with A. melampus, it tends to range farther from trees on to alluvial plains. However, K. k. kob may be the form of Kobus most emancipated from the immediate vicinity of water, and most tolerant of woody vegetation. If so, this would indicate a degree of functional convergence with A. melampus, in complete allopatry.

Kobus vardoni replaces Kobus kob south of the equator. It is not mutually exclusive with A. melampus (https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-female-pukus-kobus-vardonii-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-africa-39497721.html?imageid=7E82250C-B634-4F0F-9872-EEEB91491767&p=57165&pn=2&searchId=4aa2a2926913d9b8b13ab0d4859d139f&searchtype=0 and https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-female-pukus-kobus-vardonii-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-africa-39497355.html?imageid=88083A61-D16A-4696-8DCD-B45DEE65E7D9&p=57165&pn=2&searchId=4aa2a2926913d9b8b13ab0d4859d139f&searchtype=0).

However, K. vardoni

Kobus vardoni is also more plain-coloured (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/168158234) than K. k. kob, with

These differences indicate ecological separation between K. vardoni and A. melampus, allowing their partial sympatry.

Posted on 14 de março de 2024, 01:32 AM by milewski milewski | 54 comentários | Deixar um comentário

13 de março de 2024

Kobus kob kob as the West and Central African counterpart for the common impala (Aepyceros melampus), part 1

INTRODUCTION

The distribution ranges of Kobus kob (the kob) and Aepyceros melampus (the common impala) are mutually exclusive.

Both species

  • are medium-sized, evenly-proportioned, brown antelopes with moderate sexual dimorphism (horns restricted to males), and
  • eat mainly grass, are gregarious and active mainly diurnally, and have a territorial sociosexual system.

Kobus kob occurs in the Guinea savannas of West and north-central Africa and South Sudan (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/Kobus_kob_distribution.svg). Aepyceros melampus occurs in the savannas of southern and East Africa, favoring thorn savanna over miombo woodland (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e4/Impala.png).

This biogeographical and ecological separation suggests that the two taxa share a single niche in a loose sense, partitioning Africa so that one or the other occupies any given area.

The most important evidence of this is that A. melampus, although abundant in East and southern Africa, is absent across the vast savannas of the other half of the continent.

Given this scenario of approximate ecological equivalence, it is worth comparing Kobus kob (https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-kob-standing-on-meadow-kobus-kob-35643086.html?imageid=5D86534C-0804-4455-AB6C-6B9B0A715441&p=89982&pn=7&searchId=998dfc7baffa23b9177357f935dc7ab5&searchtype=0) with A. melampus in various biological features.

More particularly, in this Post I focus on the most widespread subspecies, namely Kobus kob kob (https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-kob-hind-kalakpa-resource-reserve-eastern-region-ghana-11380712.html?imageid=FF4E82D8-7D10-4CD4-876F-CC9B10B86B39&p=54834&pn=8&searchId=1cc4c968aae75dd56f77ec944b83ce3f&searchtype=0).

This, the nominate subspecies, occurs from Senegal (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senegal) in the west to Chad (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chad) in the east, a distance of nearly 5,000 kilometers - entirely devoid of any species of Aepyceros.

AIMS

So, the central question is:
To what degree is K. kob kob (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/149939631) just a 'western/northern impala', under a different name?

For illustrations of Aepyceros melampus, see my many Posts (https://www.inaturalist.org/posts/89229-an-index-to-my-posts-about-impalas-aepyceros#).

PHYLOGENY

Kobus belongs to the tribe Reduncini, whereas Aepyceros belongs to the tribe Aepycerotini. This means that

BODY MASS AND PROPORTIONS

Kobus kob kob is similar in body mass to Aepyceros melampus.

Important for this comparison is the fact that K. k. kob is much smaller than K. k. thomasi, a better-known subspecies occurring in Uganda (pages 191-195 in https://zmmu.msu.ru/files/%D0%91%D0%B8%D0%B1%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BA%D0%B0%20%D0%9F%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0/grubb-groves-2011_taxonomy_ungulates.pdf).

The similarity in body size can be illustrated indirectly by using Bubulcus ibis for scale (https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-kob-hind-with-fawnabout-to-drink-at-waterhole-kalakpa-resource-reserve-11380714.html?imageid=6CD38FB4-8588-4ED5-B0E2-E71CD5E6DCE9&p=54834&pn=7&searchId=b27cc7ee52bb614a82ca2293933ebfc9&searchtype=0 and https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/video/impala-male-and-baby-grazing-with-cattle-egrets-stock-video-footage/153421309?adppopup=true and https://www.alamy.com/male-impala-antelope-cattle-egret-moremi-np-africa-image360686597.html).

Kobus kob kob differs from A. melampus in

Infants of K. k. kob are far less 'leggy' than those of A. melampus. Please compare https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/81449293 with https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/young-impala-aepyceros-melampus-south-luangwa-2433231493, and also see https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/66469668 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/19289953.

Form of horns

The horns are similar in size and shape in the two taxa (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/66512647).

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-western-kob-at-rivers-edge-in-senegal-78838761.html?imageid=1AE1F681-9AE9-4852-A3C2-7BA238A29E24&p=141448&pn=1&searchId=699e1dc9f674152eb01f429e99e5e52d&searchtype=0

Sexual dimorphism

The degree and nature of sexual dimorphism are similar in K. k. kob and A. melampus.

ANATOMICAL DETAILS

Hooves

The hooves of K, k. kob are larger than those of A. melampus. The difference is particularly great in the case of the false hooves/dewclaws, which are well-developed in the former, but absent in the latter.

Stifle-fold

In both K. k. kob and A. melampus, dark bare skin shows at the stifle-fold. However, this is far less extensive in the former (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/153171326 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/194064714) than in the latter (https://es.123rf.com/photo_19382128_impala-ram-aepyceros-melampus--kruger-national-park-south-africa.html).

Rhinarium

In both K. k. kob and A. melampus, the rhinarium is small. However, the latter is extreme in this respect (https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/male-impala-lying-on-ground-his-1389971402)

Tail

In both K. k. kob and A. melampus, the tail

Udder

In both K. k. kob and A. melampus, there are two pairs of teats (mammillae).

GLANDS

In both K. k. kob and A. melampus, external glands are poorly-developed relative to most other ruminants, and interdigital and caudal glands are absent.

However, the two taxa differ in that

  • preorbital glands are present (small) in K. k. kob, as opposed to absent in A. melampus,
  • K. k. kob possesses inguinal glands, instead of the metatarsal glands possessed by A. melampus.

COLOURATION

Both K. k. kob and A. melampus are whitish on the ventral surface of the torso, and the inner surface of the upper hindlegs (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/87964267). In K. k. kob, the posterior surface of the upper foreleg is whitish (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/45489988 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/174890117 https://www.flickr.com/photos/anymotion/6805172099). However, in the latter this is crisply-defined.

Overall

Both K.k. kob and A. melampus

However, the tone on the flanks is far less distinctly defined in K. k. kob (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/7108295) than in A. melampus ().

Forelegs

In K. k. kob, dark pelage accentuates the anterior surface of the legs, particularly the forelegs (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/149566968). In A. melampus, such accentuation is minimal, being restricted to the fetlocks, and absent from most individuals.

Buttocks

Kobus kob kob and A. melampus differ categorically w.r.t. the pattern of colouration on the buttocks (compare https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/174890113 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/149939632 with https://www.hlasek.com/aepyceros_melampus_db2745.html and https://www.alamy.com/impala-aepyceros-melampus-male-ram-antelope-portrait-and-close-up-in-wild-of-madikwe-game-reserve-south-africa-image224844451.html).

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/103751818

Tail
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/137559365

The tail shows a dark/pale contrast when swished, in both K. k. kob and A. melampus. However, this accentuation is minimal in the former (compare https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/193968110 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/110734207 with https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/antelope-masai-mara-kenya-2269362071 and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/ImpalaSerengetiNationalParkMar2011.jpg and https://www.alamy.com/herd-or-harem-of-female-impala-aepyceros-melampus-signal-by-wagging-their-tails-together-in-greater-marakenyaafrica-image178986280.html).

Ear pinnae

In both K. k. kob and A. melampus:

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/196323998

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/152317862

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/196137319

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/191558533

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/174890112

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/174890101

https://www.alamy.com/herd-of-kob-crosses-a-dirt-road-in-mole-national-park-northern-ghana-image1833506.html?imageid=99F9467D-9044-45DF-B5B1-01E5AAA1A2B3&p=54834&pn=7&searchId=b27cc7ee52bb614a82ca2293933ebfc9&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/kob-hind-and-fawn-disturbed-at-a-salt-lick-mole-national-park-northern-image1833508.html?imageid=5BE18701-13D7-491E-9BCB-4940D6D1E1B3&p=54834&pn=7&searchId=b27cc7ee52bb614a82ca2293933ebfc9&searchtype=0

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/44762435 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/44762434

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/75651701 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/75651699

https://www.alamy.com/kob-antelopes-kobus-kob-on-the-plains-of-simenti-with-a-group-of-baboons-papio-papio-niokolo-koba-national-park-unesco-world-heritage-site-image262934271.html?imageid=CFA08DD2-B646-4FA7-B3BA-66E16DEDBE0D&p=269369&pn=7&searchId=998dfc7baffa23b9177357f935dc7ab5&searchtype=0

Both K. k. kob and A. melampus possess a pedal flag, consisting of pale pasterns offset by dark (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/129691858 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/103751848 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/103751810 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/103751802 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/75651674 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/75651671 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/36994608 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/6443432).

Crook-of-throat

In both K. k. kob and A. melampus, mature males possess a whitish patch on the anterior surface of the neck, adjacent to the lower jaw (https://www.alamy.com/ugandan-kobs-kobus-kob-thomasi-mating-behavior-sequence-queen-elizabeth-national-park-uganda-image376770532.html?imageid=0EC4CE3B-937F-4462-ABAE-3E9F321FD031&p=1132882&pn=1&searchId=8ba2a2cdf722c8a88018f6cc5e319bd5&searchtype=0).

This feature

  • is moderately sexually dimorphic, emphasising the masculine brawniness of the neck, and
  • is conspicuous enough to qualify as a gular semet/flag.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/34206853

to be continued in https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/90896-kobus-kob-kob-as-the-west-and-central-african-counterpart-for-the-common-impala-aepyceros-melampus-part-2#...

Posted on 13 de março de 2024, 12:24 AM by milewski milewski | 54 comentários | Deixar um comentário

10 de março de 2024