Dune Gazelle
| Dune Gazelle | ||||||||||||
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Dune Gazelle ( Gazella leptoceros ) |
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| Gazella leptoceros | ||||||||||||
| ( Cuvier , 1842) |
The dune gazelle ( Gazella leptoceros ) is a type of gazelle (genus Gazella ) that is only found regionally in the Sahara today.
features
The dune gazelle reaches a total length of 1.15 to 1.3 meters, of which 15 to 20 centimeters are on the tail. The shoulder height is 65 to 70 centimeters, the weight 20 to 30 kilograms. It is characterized primarily by its extremely slender horns, which measure 30 to 40 centimeters in the buck, as well as by its creamy white fur, which is lighter than that of all other African gazelle species. Further features are the indistinct face marking, the black, distal half of the tail and the greatly broadened hooves, which are supposed to reduce sinking into the sand.
Distribution and existence
The dune gazelle lives primarily in sandy areas, but it is also likely to penetrate into neighboring hilly countries. It was originally widespread in northern Africa. Recent occurrences have only been found in Niger and Egypt , but the species may also occur in some other, sandy parts of the Sahara. Today the dune gazelle has disappeared from the northern and southern fringes of this desert. The total population is estimated to be less than 2500 adult animals. The IUCN classifies the dunes gazelle as "high risk" ( endangered one). The only European zoo that currently keeps dune gazelles is the Planckendael Zoo in Belgium.
Systematics
There are two subspecies:
- G. l. leptoceros ( Cuvier , 1842); western Egypt and northeastern Libya
- G. l. loderi Thomas , 1894; western and central Sahara
G. l. loderi is larger than the nominate form , but has shorter horns (horn length in G. l. loderi an average of 29.8 cm compared to 33.7 cm in G. l. leptoceros ). Both subspecies are geographically isolated from one another and differ a little ecologically. However, it is controversial whether these are actually subspecies, which according to some authors requires genetic testing.
literature
- Chris & Tilde Stuart: Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa. Struik, 2000, ISBN 1-86872-534-0 .
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Roseline C. Beudels and Pierre Devillers: Gazella leptoceros Slender-horned Gazelle (Rhim Gazelle, Loder's Gazelle). In: Jonathan Kingdon, David Happold, Michael Hoffmann, Thomas Butynski, Meredith Happold and Jan Kalina (eds.): Mammals of Africa Volume VI. Pigs, Hippopotamuses, Chevrotain, Giraffes, Deer and Bovids. Bloomsbury, London, 2013, pp. 352-355
- ^ IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group: Gazella leptoceros. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. e.T8972A50186909. ( [1] ); last accessed on January 10, 2020
Web links
- Gazella leptoceros onthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . Retrieved on July 22, 2009.