Mongalla gazelle
| Mongalla gazelle | ||||||||||||
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Mongallan Gazelle ( Eudorcas albonotata ), |
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| Eudorcas albonotata | ||||||||||||
| ( W. Rothschild , 1903) |
The Mongalla gazelle ( Eudorcas albonotata ) is a type of gazelle that occurs in South Sudan east of the Nile and lives there in open grasslands and savannas . It is a medium-sized species of gazelle whose way of life has been little researched. The stock is not considered endangered.
features
The Mongalla gazelle is a medium-sized gazelle with a shoulder height of about 63.5 cm and a weight of 23 to 27 kg. Outwardly it resembles the Thomson gazelle and the red-fronted gazelle . The back appears less reddish, but more ocher, the belly and buttocks are whitish, the short tail is dark. The side, dark stripe that separates the back and belly color from each other is, in contrast to that of the red-browed gazelle, very wide and is only accompanied by a narrow, red-brown shadow band underneath. On the buttocks, slightly darker stripes appear to the side of the whitish color. The forehead is mostly whitish, as is the ring around the eyes, the dark nasal patch is prominent. The ears are pointed. The horns have a distinct horizontal corrugation. They are curved backwards and upwards, the tips are oriented slightly inwards. Compared to the Thomson gazelles, they are not quite as long and have a greater curvature to the front. The longest known horn measured 35.6 cm. In females, the horns are significantly shorter, their length is around 50% of that of the males.
distribution
The Mongalle gazelle is common in the alluvial plains and savannah areas of South Sudan east of the Nile . The occurrence extends in the west to Jonglei , in the east to the Ethiopian province of Illubabor , but there is hardly any information about the population there . The south-north extension of the distribution area extends from Mongalla to Malakal , i.e. from about 5th to 10th northern latitude. In the south, the borders with Uganda or Kenya are not reached. The species inhabits grasslands and savannahs . In the Boma National Park , she spends the dry season in open savannas and forest savannas with hyparrhenia grass and acacia stands, and in the rainy season in medium to long grassy landscapes.
Way of life
Little information is available about the way of life of the Mongalla gazelle. The animals are active during the day and at twilight. They live socially, female animals form herds of more than five individuals, which, however, can grow up to 50 individuals in ample grazing areas. Young males form bachelor groups, adult males are territorial. The animals mainly eat grazing, with young hyparrhenia grasses being important in the dry season . During this time, softer parts of the plant such as leaves and twigs can also be consumed. In the rainy season the mongalla gazelle forms large associations with other migratory species such as the white ear Moorantilope ( Kobus leucotis ) and the Tiang ( Damaliscus tiang ). The gazelle species follows these and is dependent on the large antelopes, as the latter eat the long-stemmed grasses so that the smaller Mongalla gazelle can graze on the short and more digestible, freshly sprouted grasses. The offspring are mostly born at the beginning of the rainy season between April and June. Major predators represent the lion and the cheetah is.
Systematics
The Mongalla gazelle is a species from the genus Eudorcas within the tribe of the gazelle-like (Antilopini). Its closest relatives are the two representatives of the Thomson gazelle ( Eudorcas thomsonii and Eudorcas nasalis ) and the red-fronted gazelle ( Eudorcas rufifrons ). Sometimes it was also regarded as a subspecies of these gazelles. The first scientific description comes from Lionel Walter Rothschild from 1903. He introduced the species under the name Gazella albonotata on the basis of individuals from the eastern bank of the White Nile around 40 miles north of Kero or Kiri in Mongalla , which is considered a type region.
Threat and protection
The Mongallan gazelle is less vulnerable to prey than larger antelope species. Due to the very limited distribution area and the inadequate wildlife protection within the region, however, there is a potential hazard if the stalking should intensify. The total population is currently estimated at 278,000 animals (as of 2007), which is subject to strong fluctuations. The species is still found in stable populations in Boma National Park and Mongalla Game Reserve . The IUCN classifies the species as "not endangered" ( least concern ).
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c Colin P. Groves and David M. Leslie Jr .: Family Bovidae (Hollow-horned Ruminants). In: Don E. Wilson and Russell A. Mittermeier (eds.): Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Volume 2: Hooved Mammals. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona 2011, p. 649 ISBN 978-84-96553-77-4
- ↑ a b c Ibrahom M. Hashim and Jonathan Kingdon: Eudorcas albonotata Mongalla 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. 369-372
- ↑ Colin P. Groves and Peter Grubb: Ungulate Taxonomy. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2011, pp. 1-317 (p. 175)
- ^ Lionel Walter Rothschild: Description of a new species of Gazella. Novitates Zoologicae 10, 1903, p. 480 ( [1] )
- ^ IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group: Eudorcas albonotata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008. e.T8992A12947781 ( [2] ); last accessed on February 21, 2016
Web links
Eudorcas albonotata in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2008. Posted by: IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group, 2008. Accessed February 21 2016th