Advertisement colouration in a carnivore: the kekebero (Canis simensis)

@jeremygilmore @ldacosta @tonyrebelo @paradoxornithidae @beartracker @jacqueline_llerena @grinnin @zarek

The kekebero (Canis simensis, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROU7vh2QJTM and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbvoqwhMvr8) is a stalking carnivore, which eats mainly rodents.

This species (https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/42045-Canis-simensis) approaches its prey stealthily by day, on high-altitude meadows in Ethiopia.

Therefore, the inconspicuousness of its overall colouration is unsurprising.

However, where the kekebero differs from most other Canidae, instead resembling certain antelopes and deer, is in its pedal and caudal flags. These make this species particularly photogenic.

The pattern on the face, throat and chest disrupts the approaching figure, making the predator inconspicuous to the prey it faces during stalking:
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/close-up-of-endangered-ethiopian-wolf-gm1151550965-312121323 and https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/close-up-of-a-rare-and-endangered-ethiopian-wolf-gm1215528860-354067674 and https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/rare-and-endangered-ethiopian-wolf-gm1161002244-317982362.

However, the pattern on the hindquarters is bolder:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/graham_ekins_world_wildlife/6577081283 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/8730906 and http://www.africaimagelibrary.com/-/galleries/east-africa/ethiopia/-/medias/e2e29d0a-1a00-11e0-b123-432bf5092cc3-ethiopian-wolf-canis-simensis-sanetti-plateau-bale-mountain.

This pattern is not striking enough to reveal the stationary figure. However, it becomes eye-catching when the animal moves (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxuB6jTLRUo). I would therefore call this a caudal flag.

The caudal flag of the kekebero presumably functions for social cohesion in this slightly gregarious species. However, it differs from most caudal flags in ungulates in that the tail is not routinely raised or wagged.

The kekebero is not unique in possessing this particular pattern on the hindquarters. Some individuals of, for example, the side-striped jackal (Lupulella adusta) have a comparable pattern (see https://parody.fandom.com/wiki/Side-Striped_Jackal?file=Jackal%252C_Side-Striped.jpg).

However, what is unique to the kekebero is a pedal flag, restricted to the forelegs.

The inner surface of the lower foreleg is anomalously pale, and tends to shine on pasture free of obstructing herbage. This applies particularly in the slanting light of morning and late afternoon.

The pedal flag lacks the dark emphasis seen on the tail. However, it is conspicuous enough to accentuate the movement of walking or trotting.

This aids social cohesion more secretively than does the caudal flag. This is because the signal is low on the figure, and on a surface that tends to be shaded when the sun is brightest:
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/close-up-of-a-rare-and-endangered-ethiopian-wolf-gm1215528263-354067637 and https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/ethiopian-wolf-in-the-bale-mountains-national-park-in-ethiopia-gm1045923160-279876857 and https://www.agefotostock.com/age/en/details-photo/abyssinian-ethiopian-wolf-simien-jackal-simien-fox-endangered-canis-simensis/MEV-10777461 and https://wildkratts.fandom.com/wiki/Ethiopian_Wolf?file=Ethiopian+Wolf+RL.PNG and https://animalia.bio/ethiopian-wolf and https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/close-up-of-a-rare-and-endangered-ethiopian-wolf-gm1128477421-297789122 and https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/ethiopian-wolf-sanetti-plateau-bale-mountains-ethiopia-gm1094020256-293614039.

The following (https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/group-of-ethiopian-wolves-in-the-highlands-gm1161748335-318430860) shows the caudal and pedal flags working together on the moving figures.

Posted on 23 de julho de 2021, 05:04 AM by milewski