maaliskuu 27, 2024

The mule deer and the damalisk: a paradox of stotters

Both the Rocky Mountain mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus, https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?taxon_id=143865) and damalisks (Damaliscus spp.) stot.

However, the former stots so frequently, consistently, and persistently that there are many illustrations of this demonstrative gait (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8DweS5Z684 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1_qLKWeXPA) on the Web.

By contrast, the latter stot so seldom that, after trawling through tens of thousands of photos and videos, I have found only one photo (https://stock.adobe.com/images/a-beautiful-topi-antelope-in-the-mara-grassland/62749286?prev_url=detail).

This difference is puzzling.

Indeed, it is doubly puzzling, for the following reasons.

Firstly, there is context.

Stotting - particularly in adults - is a reaction to the arrival of predators, particularly cursorial predators as opposed to ambush predators. The mule deer is usually photographed in situations where the wolf (Canis lupus) has long been exterminated, meaning that the gait is in reaction to the photographer.

By contrast, Damaliscus lunatus (https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/42276-Damaliscus-lunatus) is often photographed in conservation areas replete with various Carnivora. This means that there is a good chance of photographing it reacting to the arrival of the African hunting dog (Lycaon pictus, https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/42093-Lycaon-pictus).

Secondly, there is phylogeny.

The mule deer is congeneric - and partly sympatric - with the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), which never stots in the strict sense (https://www.inaturalist.org/posts/89498-gaits-and-anti-predator-displays-compared-between-deer-odocoileus-in-north-america-and-impalas-aepyceros-in-africa#).

By contrast, damalisks are related to the red hartebeest (Alcelaphus caama), which has fairly frequently been photographed stotting in adulthood in reaction to human approach ().

In the case of the blesbok and bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus), there are two possible reasons why there are no photos of adults stotting, viz.

  • stotting is naturally absent in this species (possibly because this species is adapted for conservation of energy in nutrient-poor environments), or
  • none of the current populations are subject to the natural regime of predation, particularly w.r.t. the African hunting dog.

In the common impala (Aepyceros melampus), playful rehearsing of the kick-stotting gait is not restricted to juveniles, but occurs also in adult females. This kind of extended playfulness seems not to apply to damalisks.

The above disparities raise a strange thought, as follows.

We have succeeded in saving the bontebok from extinction. The blesbok has actually been restored to a kind of semi-domesticated abundance. However, a certain behaviour is now 'extinct' in these antelopes.

Nowhere is it practicable, today, for these taxa to coexist with the African hunting dog, let alone the full original community of predators. This is unlikely to be remedied in future.

Hence, generation after generation of these damalisks may continue indefinitely without ever expressing a certain natural gait in adults.

If so, one way to think of this plight is as follows.

Imagine a species of acacia which has been saved from extinction only in a few botanical gardens. It happens to have a capacity for spinescence. However, this 'induced defence' is expressed phenotypically only after a certain kind of damage - plus the associated saliva - by a particular herbivore. For practical ('hormonal') reasons, this damage is not emulated artificially.

Thus, generation after generation, the species continues to exist without manifesting something that was, in the original condition, an important part of its nature.

Also see:
https://www.inaturalist.org/posts/89452-stotting#
https://www.inaturalist.org/posts/76632-stotting-in-damaliscus#
https://www.inaturalist.org/posts/70294-one-of-the-few-records-of-stotting-in-hippotragin-bovids#
https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/80713-the-mara-dolichotis-patagonum-the-most-ungulate-like-rodent-on-earth#
https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/archives/2022/09#
https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/90651-illustrations-of-stotting-gaits-in-cervine-deer-cervidae-cervinae#
https://www.inaturalist.org/posts/84799-a-comparison-of-postures-and-gaits-between-two-elands-the-moose-alces-alces-and-the-common-eland-taurotragus-oryx#
https://www.inaturalist.org/posts/49366-locomotory-and-postural-peculiarities-of-impalas-aepyceros-part-1#
https://www.inaturalist.org/posts/71185-the-ten-most-important-differences-between-alcelaphus-cokii-and-alcelaphus-caama#activity_comment_e0236539-4e0b-4861-9530-1120346de1c8#

Julkaistu maaliskuu 27, 2024 10:02 IP. käyttäjältä milewski milewski | 4 kommenttia | Jätä kommentti

Variation among ungulates in pigmentation of the bare skin of the anus, perineum, udder, inguinal area, and stifle-fold

The perianal/perineal bare skin, ventral to the whitish base of the tail, is somewhat pigmented in the blesbok (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/69719656).

The following shows that in the vicuna, as in the guanaco, the bare skin on the ventral surface of the tail is pale (depigmented), despite the pigmentation of the perineal skin, around the anus and vulva.

https://www.shutterstock.com/it/image-photo/del-chimborazo-natural-fauna-national-park-2226795159

This contrasts with gazelles, in which the bare skin on the ventral surface of the tail is blackish:

Gazella marica

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/arabian-sand-gazelle-natural-habitat-conservation-1955798821.

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/arabian-sand-gazelle-natural-habitat-conservation-1955798722

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/arabian-sand-gazelle-natural-habitat-conservation-1955798839

Julkaistu maaliskuu 27, 2024 05:27 IP. käyttäjältä milewski milewski | 0 kommenttia | Jätä kommentti

maaliskuu 26, 2024

Evolutionary convergence in conspicuous colouration between Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) and Tibetan wild ass (Equus kiang)

The Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) and Tibetan wild ass do not live together, but both in a sense inhabit ‘tundra’.

Their patterns of colouration are remarkably similar, considering that one is much smaller-bodied than the other, and a carnivore instead of a herbivore.

In both cases, the pale of the ventral surfaces has extended so high on the sides of the animal that the whole effect is flag-like, i.e. the colouration is conspicuous. The pale has particularly crept up on the hindquarters (between haunch and tail), on the area just posterior to the shoulders, and on the neck (but not the face).

The main difference, apart from the far bushier tail of the fox, seems to be that the Arctic fox retains dark legs/feet, whereas the Tibetan wild ass has pale legs/feet.

http://imgc.allpostersimages.com/images/P-473-488-90/38/3814/V5QIF00Z/posters/tom-walker-male-arctic-fox-in-summer-coloration-on-the-arctic-tundra-alopex-lagopus-alaska-usa.jpg

http://www.skolaiimages.com/stock/albums/alaska/anwr/pbay_arcticfox_002.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QlhXs1WZmro/Tpp0Mxgsa5I/AAAAAAAABUE/fSNLJoxBn6E/s1600/D2H_1524.jpg

http://static.zoonar.com/img/www_repository2/54/38/f4/10_9acc6df8ce0dac743bc0f3cb1d99ab03.jpg

The Arctic fox is coloured for inconspicuousness in winter (all-white) but conspicuousness in summer.

Why would the Arctic fox want to be conspicuous in summer but inconspicuous in winter?

In the case of Arctic/boreal mustelids, the situation may also be more complex than it seems. Several weasel-like species turn white in winter but their summer coats are hard to interpret because they, a bit like the Arctic fox, have conspicuous aspects (e.g. even the winter white coats have dark tail-tips). In the case of the wolverine, the main pattern is a perverse one in which the animal remains dark, so dark that it stands out from a snowy background in what I interpret to be a form of aposematism (which incidentally it shares with the musk-ox in a way).

Stoat (Mustela erminea):
When the white (winter-coat) stoat is in a non-snowy situation, the whole animal stands out in a way consistent with aposematism rather than crypsis; and that the dark distal part of the tail would be unmistakably conspicuous even against an all-snow background. In the summer coat, the animal stands out like a beacon when it adopts a bipedal stance. This, exposing what could be assumed to be a merely countershaded ventral surface but is too abruptly demarcated to conform to that model even when the animal slinks along quadrupedally. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoat#mediaviewer/File:Mustela_erminea_winter_cropped.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoat#mediaviewer/File:Mustela_erminea_upright.jpg

Julkaistu maaliskuu 26, 2024 05:43 AP. käyttäjältä milewski milewski | 0 kommenttia | Jätä kommentti

maaliskuu 25, 2024

Reduction of the labial and mandibular vibrissae as part of extreme adaptation to anti-parasite grooming in impalas (Aepyceros), part 2

...continued from https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/90233-reduction-of-the-labial-and-mandibular-vibrissae-as-part-of-extreme-adaptation-to-anti-parasite-grooming-in-impalas-aepyceros-part-1#

DISCUSSION

It turns out that impalas are peculiar in having reduced vibrissae at the mouth and jaws.

Please compare https://www.dreamstime.com/impala-extreme-close-up-rams-face-base-lyre-shaped-horns-ear-pattern-clearly-visible-image186103431 with 2nd photo in https://animalia.bio/kob.

Nothing in the literature that could have led us to anticipate this discovery.

Of the above, particularly comparable genera, it is Odocoileus that has the longest and most obvious vibrissae. In the case of the mandibular vibrissae, the length is probably up to 10 centimeters.

At the other extreme, Tragelaphus differs less from impalas than do the other genera.

The remaining genera are intermediate. The vibrissae in question seem to be about 3-6 centimeters long, compared to the estimated 2 centimeters of impalas.

Unlike impalas, the cervid genera examined here (Odocoileus, Dama, and Axis) groom by means of the tongue (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKztz7xHxkA and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX6yquvGm7E and https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-a-whitetail-deer-buck-licking-its-tail-27502925.html?imageid=34A0C1E0-C189-4C7B-9AE1-DA181BA90DC0&p=461&pn=1&searchId=bb2a56afdbfa89699f16c93e8f5304e2&searchtype=0 and https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-3792569-fallow-deer-cervus-dama-2-does-grooming and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCIqhvscVEo and https://www.alamy.com/one-fawn-baby-deer-with-white-spots-all-over-licking-its-back-with-a-pink-tongue-on-a-black-background-image353470710.html?imageid=F679AF19-7672-4ABD-B65F-242CFFACC4F1&p=1248493&pn=1&searchId=bb2a56afdbfa89699f16c93e8f5304e2&searchtype=0 and https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/spotted-deer-gm1412756103-462066875?phrase=axis+deer+deer+close+up+macro&searchscope=image%2Cfilm).

I have yet to find information on the method of grooming in Antilope and Kobus.

However, other gazelles use the unspecialised incisiform teeth, not the tongue (https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-26357267-beautiful-shot-israeli-mountain-gazelle-licks-his and https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-26357333-beautiful-shot-israeli-mountain-gazelle-licks-his and https://www.dreamstime.com/male-springbok-licking-self-grassland-tan-brown-white-male-springbok-small-horns-seen-cleaning-licking-itself-image234306213 and https://www.dreamstime.com/grant-s-gazelle-nanger-granti-grooming-image267309277 and https://www.alamy.com/springbuck-calf-antidorcas-marsupialis-grooming-itself-a-single-young-springbuck-is-born-after-a-6-month-gestation-period-this-gazelle-like-antelo-image335481515.html and https://www.alamy.com/springbok-grooming-himself-in-the-kalagadi-transfrontier-park-south-africa-image333968143.html and https://www.freepik.com/premium-video/panning-shot-revealing-thomson-gazelle-licking-itself-ensuring-it-is-clean_326759 and https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/thomson-gazelle-head-turned-back-that-2169074853).

The same method is probably used by Antilope and Kobus, the teeth of which are shown in https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/blackbuck-skull-8f347ff041b24897b33a448cd3461ac6 and https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/waterbuck-skull-dc2abd4f5f5c4f4cb9f90407cfcbf916.

In summary,

  • the bovids in this comparison groom by means of the teeth, whereas the cervids groom by means of the tongue;
  • among the bovids, the teeth are specialised in the order Aepyceros > Tragelaphus > Antilope and Kobus;
  • the differences in the lengths of the labial and mandibular vibrissae correspond approximately with the above distinctions;
  • impalas seem to epitomise a syndrome in which both the dentition (in the form of a toothcomb) and the vibrissae (extremely shortened) are modified; and
  • the significance of this combination of specialisations may be that facilitation of foraging (particularly on shrubs at night) has been traded off for facilitation of anti-parasite grooming.
Julkaistu maaliskuu 25, 2024 09:22 IP. käyttäjältä milewski milewski | 8 kommenttia | Jätä kommentti

Bovid ruminants tend to have big eyes, whereas cervid ruminants tend to have big noses

Julkaistu maaliskuu 25, 2024 02:32 AP. käyttäjältä milewski milewski | 0 kommenttia | Jätä kommentti

ASSORTED SIGNIFICANT PHOTOS

GAITS

Semi cross-walk in Cephalophus

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/red-forest-duiker-cephalophus-natalensis-known-507532549

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/red-forest-duiker-cephalophus-natalensis-known-511913365

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/red-forest-duiker-cephalophus-natalensis-known-516055774

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/red-forest-duiker-looking-food-fallen-1181611462

in Tragelaphus

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/bushbuck-walking-camp-grounds-straw-thtched-758092663

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/sitatunga-689806066

in Strepsiceros

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/male-kudu-bush-1033182133

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/beautiful-male-kudu-bush-738561217

in Taurotragus oryx

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/common-eland-taurotragus-oryx-southern-antelope-2075742874

Cervus elaphus and Cervus canadensis walking gait in masculine display is cross-walk, not amble

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/red-deer-rutting-season-737170840

https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-1017907225-wild-red-deer-stag-walking-bright-morning

https://stock.adobe.com/es/images/wild-bull-elk-or-wapiti-walking-through-tall-frost-covered-grass-at-forest-s-edge-jasper-national-park-alberta-canada-cervus-canadensis/122577689

https://www.dreamstime.com/grand-teton-national-park-wy-usa-september-close-up-bull-elk-cervus-canadensis-walking-across-road-traffic-stopped-image296347398

Although Kobus defassa is comparable to Cervus canadensis, the former ambles, in contrast to the cross-walk of the latter:
https://front.motionarray.com/stock-video/common-waterbuck-walking-between-trees-1179445/

Something approaching an amble in Cervus canadensis:
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-wapiti-elk-cervus-elaphus-canadensis-cervus-canadensis-rutting-bull-76021844.html

Dama dama, stotting:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10159507797105298

Cervus elaphus, showing semi cross-walk:

https://www.freepik.com/premium-photo/red-deer-cervus-elaphus-walking-green-meadow-summertime-nature-wild-hind-marching-open-grassland-summer-female-animal-going-pasture_24217519.htm

https://www.pond5.com/stock-footage/item/85266360-hd-slow-motion-young-stag-red-deer-cervus-elaphus-walking

Cervus elaphus cross-walking

https://www.dreamstime.com/red-deer-hind-crossing-stream-water-close-up-winter-image138050863

Cervus elaphus trotting

https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photo-red-deer-close-up-female-running-image32555105

https://photodune.net/item/cautious-red-deer-walking-in-national-park-in-netherlands/39297720

https://www.superstock.com/asset/red-deer-cervus-elaphus-doe-walking-kopenhagen-denmark/4201-22113860

https://stock.adobe.com/images/a-magnificent-red-deer-stag-cervus-elaphus-walking-across-a-field-during-rutting-season/297236372?prev_url=detail

Kobus defassa cross-walking:

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-walking-african-waterbuck-in-wild-78946808.html

Antidorcas trotting

https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/impala-running-in-front-of-red-sand-dune-royalty-free-image/518337267?phrase=african+impala&adppopup=true

Damaliscus

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/antelopes-african-national-parks-botswana-namibia-2399513767

Alcelaphus lelwel, ambling
https://stock.adobe.com/images/common-tsessebe/687633573?prev_url=detail

RARE PHOTO OF STOTTING IN DAMALISCUS JIMELA

https://stock.adobe.com/images/a-beautiful-topi-antelope-in-the-mara-grassland/62749286?prev_url=detail

https://stock.adobe.com/video/topi-mara-baby-kenya-masai-africa-antelope-animal-nature-mother-park-wildlife-mammal-african-safari-national-newborn-wilderness-horns-savannah-beauty-young-background-savanna-n/197236041?prev_url=detail

CAUDAL FLAGGING/HINDQUARTERS BLEEZES

Aepyceros petersi:

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/impala-antelope-etosha-national-park-namibia-80239741

Tragelaphus sylvaticus, showing tail:

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/african-bush-buck-antelope-kenya-1043133982

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/young-male-bushbuck-antelope-bush-1579695589

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/bushbok-female-jumping-over-tall-grass-1639521511

PROCAPRA

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/tibetan-gazelle-running-summer-china-82305031

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/tibetan-gazelle-staring-summer-china-82305046

OUREBIA

https://es.123rf.com/photo_107357836_oriba-ourebia-ourebi-%C3%BAnico-mam%C3%ADfero-sobre-el-c%C3%A9sped-uganda-agosto-de-2018.html?is_plus=1

Nanger granti:

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/homsons-gazelle-eudorcas-thomsonii-one-bestknown-1669190893

Axis porcinus

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-female-indian-hog-deer-axis-porcinus-hyelaphus-porcinus-native-from-92876161.html?imageid=7CBB3150-1109-490F-A634-E9D656BD950C&p=172933&pn=1&searchId=84e6be69442cd8dfa2746c3ac8234252&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-male-indian-hog-deer-axis-porcinus-hyelaphus-porcinus-native-from-92876480.html?imageid=9DEBD99A-081C-43AE-A63D-DEEFAFF058F9&p=172933&pn=1&searchId=84e6be69442cd8dfa2746c3ac8234252&searchtype=0

Capreolus capreolus in winter pelage, showing flareable bleeze:

https://www.dreamstime.com/single-deer-standing-peacefully-woodland-looking-over-valley-adult-red-deer-close-up-shot-springtime-scene-deer-standing-image223058709

https://www.dreamstime.com/deer-standing-woodland-looking-over-valley-single-deer-standing-peacefully-woodland-looking-over-valley-adult-red-deer-image223058686

https://www.dreamstime.com/deer-standing-woodland-looking-over-valley-single-deer-standing-peacefully-woodland-looking-over-valley-adult-red-deer-image223058702

Capreolus capreolus in winter pelage, showing flareable ischiopygal bleeze:

https://www.alamy.com/roe-deer-capreolus-capreolus-in-spring-with-dry-grass-blurred-in-background-mother-and-son-wild-animals-in-natural-environemnt-image358119555.html?imageid=EBE04683-F0B1-492C-BA57-46EB4D5FC497&p=324760&pn=1&searchId=84e6be69442cd8dfa2746c3ac8234252&searchtype=0

Odocoileus virginianus, showing flareable pelage at junction of buttocks and haunches:

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-a-whitetail-deer-buck-licking-its-tail-27502925.html?imageid=34A0C1E0-C189-4C7B-9AE1-DA181BA90DC0&p=461&pn=1&searchId=bb2a56afdbfa89699f16c93e8f5304e2&searchtype=0

W.r.t. tail of Odocoileus virginianus:

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/tail-of-a-deer-gm509366741-45788238?phrase=axis+deer+deer+close+up+macro&searchscope=image%2Cfilm

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/deer-butt-gm172149394-426116?phrase=axis+deer+deer+close+up+macro&searchscope=image%2Cfilm

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/young-deer-looking-away-wildlife-animal-35173795

Odocoileus virginianus

https://www.dreamstime.com/close-up-shot-whitetail-deer-photographed-fall-canaan-valley-state-park-tucker-county-west-virginia-image188533649 and https://www.dreamstime.com/close-up-shot-whitetail-deer-photographed-fall-canaan-valley-state-park-tucker-county-west-virginia-image188533622

Odocoileus hemionus

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/impala-rooibok-mediumsized-antelope-found-eastern-2325295503

Cervus elaphus, showing pattern on hindquarters

https://www.dreamstime.com/close-up-red-deer-roaring-two-hinds-rutting-season-autumn-rut-image126941411

https://www.dreamstime.com/red-deer-stag-hind-autumn-close-up-uk-image126941418

https://www.dreamstime.com/close-up-red-deer-doe-red-deer-doe-backdrop-image122908488

https://www.dreamstime.com/red-deer-doe-backdrop-close-up-image122908437

https://www.dreamstime.com/close-up-red-deer-standing-grass-autumn-close-up-red-deer-standing-grass-autumn-uk-image201810830

Cervus nippon:

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/bambi-gm176160571-10799375?phrase=axis+deer+deer+close+up+macro&searchscope=image%2Cfilm

Cervus nippon in winter pelage, showing ischiopygal bleeze:

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/wildlife-scene-of-single-sika-or-spotted-deer-gm1388896481-446378755?phrase=axis+deer+deer+close+up+macro&searchscope=image%2Cfilm

Tail of Dama

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/single-fallow-deer-buck-dama-standing-in-acid-grassland-gm182926752-14126144?phrase=axis+deer+deer+close+up+macro&searchscope=image%2Cfilm

https://www.dreamstime.com/close-up-fallow-deer-wild-cheshire-close-up-fallow-deer-image249902222

https://www.dreamstime.com/close-up-fallow-deer-wild-cheshire-close-up-fallow-deer-image249902233

https://www.dreamstime.com/close-up-fallow-deer-close-up-fallow-deer-wild-cheshire-image249902211

https://www.dreamstime.com/close-up-fallow-deer-wild-cheshire-image249902236

https://www.dreamstime.com/close-up-fallow-deer-close-up-fallow-deer-wild-cheshire-image249902238

https://www.dreamstime.com/close-up-fallow-deer-wild-cheshire-close-up-fallow-deer-image249902220

https://www.dreamstime.com/close-up-fallow-deer-wild-close-up-fallow-deer-image201124149

https://depositphotos.com/photo/young-roe-deer-graze-edge-forest-rays-sunlight-animals-wild-203302032.html

Antilocapra

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/prong-horned-antelope-walking-across-open-1280602528

Giraffa giraffa angolensis, showing posterior auricular flag and ischial flag

https://www.gettyimages.ie/detail/photo/african-wildlife-giraffes-burchells-zebras-and-royalty-free-image/1265090301?phrase=impala+the+animal&adppopup=true

SUNDRY ASPECTS OF COLOURATION

Damaliscus pygargus pygargus juvenile

https://stock.adobe.com/images/bontebok-damaliscus-pygargus-south-africa-cape-of-good-hope/325339482?prev_url=detail

Alcelaphus cokii

https://stock.adobe.com/images/damalisque-damaliscus-korrigum-antilope-topi-au-kenya/440915586?prev_url=detail

https://stock.adobe.com/images/3-damalisque-damaliscus-korrigum-antilope-topi-au-kenya/440927549?prev_url=detail

Alcelaphus lichtensteini
antisheen on rump
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/antelopes-african-national-parks-botswana-namibia-2399513165

Alcelaphus lelwel
Excellent illustration of buccal semet
https://stock.adobe.com/images/antilope-damaliscus-in-african/257395045?prev_url=detail

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/antelopes-african-national-parks-botswana-namibia-2399513163

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/antelopes-african-national-parks-botswana-namibia-2399513169

Strepsiceros

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/safari-south-luangwa-valley-zambia-601824314

Taurotragus

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/common-eland-taurotragus-oryx-large-rare-2080151047

Hippotragus

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-699426481

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/sable-antelope-hippotragus-niger-rare-magnificent-2214080895

Ourebia

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/oribi-on-liuwa-plains-zambia-africa-207589486

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/oribi-liuwa-plains-national-park-zambia-1730199304

Cervus elaphus

pale accentuation of tine-tips

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/red-deer-stag-standing-in-the-dead-bracken-in-londons-parks-in-the-uk-gm1405355894-457285138?phrase=axis+deer+deer+close+up+macro&searchscope=image%2Cfilm

https://es.123rf.com/photo_91107070_camino-de-cruce-de-animales-ciervo-en-el-bosque-macho-de-los-ciervos-rojos-animal-adulto-potente-maj.html

Infants

https://www.dreamstime.com/red-deer-calf-standing-meadow-summer-close-up-uk-image237180744

https://www.dreamstime.com/red-deer-calf-standing-meadow-summer-close-up-uk-image237129126

https://www.dreamstime.com/red-deer-calf-standing-meadow-summer-close-up-uk-image227053089

https://www.dreamstime.com/red-deer-calf-standing-meadow-summer-close-up-uk-image227823827

https://www.dreamstime.com/red-deer-calf-standing-meadow-summer-close-up-uk-image227823853

https://www.dreamstime.com/cute-red-deer-calf-standing-close-to-mama-meadow-up-uk-image275838885

Rangifer tarandus

Sweden:
https://www.dreamstime.com/reindeer-road-adult-male-reindeer-huge-antlers-standing-along-road-rangifer-tarandus-image126358242

Giraffa

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/wild-animal-uganda-africa-1509372179

Lynx lynx

https://www.alamy.com/eurasian-lynx-hiding-in-the-forest-small-lynx-hiding-in-the-bushes-cute-lynx-looking-to-the-camera-rare-predator-in-european-nature-image483201157.html?imageid=A75FDD42-4363-4707-A6AC-B421E11F9D74&p=565267&pn=1&searchId=84e6be69442cd8dfa2746c3ac8234252&searchtype=0

SPECIES/SUBSPECIES DISTINCTIONS

Giraffa tippelskirchi thornicrofti

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/giraffe-puku-outback-zambia-23775544

Tragelaphus sylvaticus meneliki:

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/female-rare-endemic-menelik-bushbuck-hiding-1765793552

Tragelaphus scriptus, Pendjari:

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/kewel-trotting-across-road-pendjari-national-1242511357

Caprini, indet.

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/tibetan-gazelles-running-summer-china-115368241

BODY SIZE

Body size in Canis familiaris

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNXKKdTjopw

EYES/ORBITS

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/marsh-deer-gm485874974-73195999?phrase=axis+deer+deer+close+up+macro&searchscope=image%2Cfilm

Julkaistu maaliskuu 25, 2024 12:47 AP. käyttäjältä milewski milewski | 4 kommenttia | Jätä kommentti

maaliskuu 22, 2024

maaliskuu 21, 2024

Adaptive colouration in the puku (Kobus vardoni), an anomalously plain-coloured grazer, part 2

...continued from https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/91107-adaptive-colouration-in-the-puku-kobus-vardoni-an-anomalously-plain-coloured-grazer-part-1#

INCONSPICUOUS PATTERNS (cont.)

Incipient/residual band at junction of belly/lower flank

This feature, although faint, is consistent among individuals, regardless of sex and age.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/37703217

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/35174260

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/183532379

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

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

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

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

COMPARISON WITH KOBUS KOB

Nominate subspecies Kobus kob kob

The puku and Kobus kob constitute a 'superspecies', distributed from Senegal to Ethiopia and southwards to Botswana (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/Kobus_kob_distribution.svg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a6/Leefgebied_Puku-Kobus_vardonii.png).

I have shown the colouration of the subspecies Kobus kob kob (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#).

Comparison with K. k. kob highlights the puzzle of plain colouration in the puku. This is because the former is the smaller-bodied and less associated with open vegetation, yet possesses the more conspicuous features in the form of

  • dark on the anterior surfaces of the legs,
  • dark on the tail-tassel, and dark on the fetlocks (constituting a pedal flag).

Of the conspicuous features seen in K. k. kob, the only one retained in the puku is the posterior auricular flag.

Subspecies Kobus kob thomasi

The following photo-pair shows that the puku is a dull-coloured version of the Uganda kob (particularly superciliary whitish, and dark on anterior surfaces of legs):
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-uganda-kob-kobus-kob-thomasi-23820043.html?imageid=B51D937E-CF43-4818-8D6A-3F9904633452&p=4071&pn=1&searchId=bf0df45f6cdd487771c0a27ea33653bf&searchtype=0
versus
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/photo/puku-luangwa-national-park-zambia-habitat-is-royalty-free-image/128122833?phrase=puku+kobus+vardonii&adppopup=true and https://www.alamy.com/impala-antelope-at-murchison-falls-national-park-safari-reserve-in-uganda-the-pearl-of-africa-image222662810.html?imageid=1F4848EE-8015-4423-A54C-763925F1ECD2&p=370223&pn=1&searchId=4206b8d7157b1538d730f9c70124285d&searchtype=0 and https://www.alamy.com/puku-kobus-vardonii-standing-side-profile-zambia-image179830705.html?imageid=1B0FF3CF-E751-4143-8839-8165628469EA&p=524999&pn=1&searchId=acc709c179443e5d1df94979b0f1c3a2&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/impala-antelope-at-murchison-falls-national-park-safari-reserve-in-uganda-the-pearl-of-africa-image222662790.html?imageid=2F624F51-ECFF-4EBD-870A-6DE913DE0A75&p=370223&pn=1&searchId=4206b8d7157b1538d730f9c70124285d&searchtype=0

Darkness on the tail-tassel is also less well-developed than in the Uganda kob.

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/uganda-kob-muchison-falls-national-park-1533550322

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/some-uganda-kobs-walking-through-green-87766975

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/baby-kob-his-mother-kobus-murchison-1687419769

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/uganda-kob-kobus-thomasi-national-parks-2083558879

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/ugandan-kob-kobus-thomasi-rainy-day-2103703763

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/uganda-kob-kobus-thomasi-national-parks-2015207261

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/beautiful-uganda-kob-front-centre-jackson-1897215655

DISCUSSION

There are various residual/incipient features in the colouration of the puku. These are noteworthy in assessing relationships between the puku and

  • other members of genus Kobus,
  • reduncins (including Redunca),
  • other gregarious bovids, and
  • gregarious cervids in summer pelage.

However, none if these qualifies unambivalently as a conspicuous feature, according to the system of bleezes, flags, and semets ().

The only feature that may perhaps qualify is the pattern on the back-of-ear, consisting of

  • an individually variable dark apex, and
  • a pale (probably sheeny) ventral panel on the proximal part of the posterior surface of the ear pinna.

The dark apex resembles that (https://www.superstock.com/asset/rear-view-impala-female-head-aepyceros-melampus-nakuru-national-park/1566-1419927) of the common impala (Aepyceros melampus), but is

  • not as clear and consistent, and
  • somewhat sexually dimorphic, as opposed to monomorphic in the common impala.

The following exceptionally fortunate photo (https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/photo/pukus-impalas-royalty-free-image/560130395?phrase=puku+kobus+vardonii&adppopup=true) shows clearly the evolutionary convergence in the posterior auricular flags of the puku and the common impala.

The pale panel resembles - but is less well-developed than - those in various cervids, e.g. the sika deer (https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/rear-view-of-a-sika-deer-resting-in-an-animal-farm-gm1729392605-541626097?searchscope=image%2Cfilm and https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/close-up-of-fallow-deer-head-gm498401388-79628877?phrase=axis+deer+deer+close+up+macro&searchscope=image%2Cfilm and https://www.dreamstime.com/close-up-head-female-deer-garden-close-up-head-female-deer-garden-image288507716).

The partial loss of the dark/pale contrast on the back-of-ear in mature males is consistent with similarly subtle sexual dimorphism in

The maximum case for conspicuousness of the pattern on the hindquarters can be seen in https://tandemstock.com/assets/63532549.

The inconspicuousness of the tail of the puku is consistent with that in all other reduncins.

The tail in genus Kobus is possibly less conspicuous than in any other genus of gregarious bovids.

The incipient/residual band at the junction of belly and lower flanks seems convergent with a feature in e.g.

This feature, however faint, is puzzling because it seems to undermine the countershading (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countershading) that is part of cryptic colouration (https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/female-puku.html?sortBy=relevant and https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/solitary-male-puku-antelope-kobus-vardonii-1085192054).

Therefore, the adaptive significance of the darkish belly/flank-band - whether dark in other ruminants or faint as in the puku - remains to be explained.

The puku has lost the pedal flag seen in Kobus kob (https://www.alamy.com/impala-antelope-at-murchison-falls-national-park-safari-reserve-in-uganda-the-pearl-of-africa-image222662810.html?imageid=1F4848EE-8015-4423-A54C-763925F1ECD2&p=370223&pn=1&searchId=bf0df45f6cdd487771c0a27ea33653bf&searchtype=0).

Julkaistu maaliskuu 21, 2024 02:45 AP. käyttäjältä milewski milewski | 82 kommenttia | Jätä kommentti

maaliskuu 20, 2024

Ear pinna flexible enough to swat flies on the eyes

Julkaistu maaliskuu 20, 2024 10:41 IP. käyttäjältä milewski milewski | 5 kommenttia | Jätä kommentti

Adaptive colouration in the puku (Kobus vardoni), an anomalously plain-coloured grazer, part 1

INTRODUCTION

The puku (Kobus vardoni) is one of the many gregarious, grazing ruminants of the world.

However, it is remarkably - perhaps uniquely - plain in its colouration (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/4901764 and https://www.barclaystenner.com/news/2015/3/27/news-2019-a-leopard-hunting-in-the-kalahari).

This plainness is anomalous, because most of the hundreds of species/subspecies of gregarious ruminants have conspicuous colouration, as follows:

  • various taxa are conspicuously dark (e.g. Connochaetes spp., Syncerus caffer, Bison bison, many spp. of Cervidae in winter pelage);
  • several taxa are conspicuously pale overall (e.g. Oryx leucoryx, Nanger dama, Addax nasomaculatus in summer pelage);
  • many taxa have bold dark/pale patterns - with remarkably diverse configurations - on the rump/buttocks/haunches;
  • several have bold dark/pale patterns on the face/forequarters (e.g. Damaliscus pygargus, Hippotragus equinus);
  • a few have conspicuously pale feet (e.g. Giraffa camelopardalis); and
  • a few advertise caudal erection by means of black (e.g. Gazella subgutturosa) or white (e.g. Rangifer tarandus) pelage on the tail.

The puku is gregarious (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/192705838 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/186871917 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/186521396 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/182460850 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/151233299 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/35174040 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/9476170).

Furthermore, it resembles 'plains game' in that infants tend to hide in the open, rather than in dense vegetation (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/19100546 and https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/photo/baby-puku-royalty-free-image/498500801?phrase=puku+kobus+vardonii&adppopup=true and https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/photo/mom-and-baby-puku-royalty-free-image/560145671?phrase=puku+kobus+vardonii&adppopup=true and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/Puku_female%2C_South_Luangwa.jpg).

However, the colouration of the puku is as plain as that of reedbucks (Redunca arundinum and Redunca redunca, https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=any&subview=map&taxon_id=42303&view=species). The latter - although also grazers - tend to hide in long grass.

(The following shows how similar juvenile males of the puku can be to reedbucks: https://www.alamy.com/male-puku-kobus-vardonii-beside-a-watercourse-in-south-luangwa-national-park-in-zambia-southern-africa-image597926477.html?imageid=FA280C3B-AA27-4B79-A738-F151C0B479A7&p=11309&pn=1&searchId=356726421c3ae41a10ca229beb33e10d&searchtype=0.)

In reedbucks, concealment is facilitated by

  • relatively small body size and short horns,
  • 'freezing', crouching, and head-lowering in alarm,
  • nocturnal activity, and
  • minimal gregariousness.

Given their ecological nature, it makes sense that reedbucks epitomise the plainest form of cryptic colouration (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crypsis).

By contrast, the puku poses a puzzle: it is a relatively large-bodied, diurnally active, gregarious ruminant of open vegetation, yet retains plain, ostensibly cryptic colouration.

AIMS

The aim of this Post is to scrutinise in detail the various features of colouration of the puku, in search of clues to

  • biological relationships (whether homologous or analogous), and
  • adaptative value (whether residual/incipient or actualised).

RESULTS

I have found various subtle patterns in the pelage of the puku.

These are significant, because they are

  • in one case, viz. on the posterior surfaces of the ear pinnae, bold enough to facilitate social communication in the puku, or, in other cases, either
  • faint (=incipient/residual) patterns.

In the latter case, the patterns are either

  • homologous, i.e. traces of patterns better-developed in other reduncins (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reduncinae), or
  • analogous with patterns seen in other clades of ruminants, i.e. subtle cases of evolutionary convergence.

CONSPICUOUS PATTERNS

There is only one conspicuous pattern of colouration in the puku.

Posterior auricular flag

In the puku, the posterior surfaces of the ear pinnae tend to show dark/pale contrast. This is noticeable at some distance, depending on illumination (please bear in mind activation by movement).

close-up:

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-deer-africa-126857135

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

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/15905462

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

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/183128180

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/194037557

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-puku-kobus-vardonii-young-rams-chobe-national-park-botswana-125324736.html?imageid=ED843A3C-F7CA-4D3C-BBC6-A294C7E843BD&p=361664&pn=2&searchId=cd244ebf5432c4191236edc6287a8da0&searchtype=0

at distances up to 10 meters:

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/91942253

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/8373864

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.inaturalist.org/observations/183467571

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/117597482

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/95744641

https://www.alamy.com/kobus-vardonii-puku-south-luangwa-nationalpark-zambia-image61620422.html?imageid=715775BD-CFC3-460E-AB3D-227777E19F59&p=154309&pn=1&searchId=acc709c179443e5d1df94979b0f1c3a2&searchtype=0

https://www.alamy.com/pukus-kobus-vardonii-in-kafue-national-park-zambia-pukus-kafue-national-park-zambia-image554645609.html?imageid=E9C61A28-AA2B-4268-BCE3-A4BB7C773497&p=2184918&pn=2&searchId=cd244ebf5432c4191236edc6287a8da0&searchtype=0

at distance:

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/186871896

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/66963436

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/65640274

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/19860792

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/14508690

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

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/194443156

https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/photo/glimpse-of-paradise-royalty-free-image/1124676543?phrase=puku+kobus+vardonii&adppopup=true

The pale effect on the back-of-ear

The relatively conspicuous pattern on the back-of-ear is particularly noteworthy in view of the lack of an anterior auricular flag in the puku, as follows.

In several members of the same genus as the puku, the pelage on the anterior surfaces of the ear pinnae is white with black accentuation. This makes the ears conspicuous enough to constitute an anterior auricular flag (https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/waterbuck-royalty-free-image/1320026796?phrase=african+impala&adppopup=true and https://www.alamy.com/waterbuck-face-closeup-image332752171.html and https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/photo/close-up-of-the-head-of-a-male-waterbuck-royalty-free-image/1975503406?phrase=waterbuck+male&adppopup=true and https://www.alamy.com/waterbuck-ugandan-kobus-defassa-queen-elizabeth-national-park-uganda-east-africa-image211288540.html?imageid=A807CDC3-FA5F-449C-A396-CB9605239E42&p=39496&pn=1&searchId=9f12497c29def42bf65a512eafff9f8a&searchtype=0).

By contrast, what is noteworthy about the puku is that its front-of-ear is pigmented enough to dull its appearance:

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

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/1186419

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/192639553

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/185294972

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/155452720

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/122317157

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

This pigmentation on the front-of-ear detracts from conspicuousness in the same direction - albeit not to the same degree - as in the lion (https://fineartamerica.com/featured/a-lioness-portrait-christopher-miles-carter.html).

INCONSPICUOUS PATTERNS

There are various other patterns in the colouration of the puku. However, all are too faint to qualify as bleezes, flags, or semets.

Dark/pale differentiation between rump and haunch

In the puku, the rump is somewhat darker than the haunches, with a fairly abrupt boundary.

This pattern is

However, the overall effect is that the colouration of the hindquarters (including the tail) is inconspicuous in the puku.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/186614277

second photo in https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/183562322

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/169920283

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/152659359

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/101342161

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/37101247

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

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/139313144

Focussing on the tail:

The tail of the puku is

  • moderately long, and
  • precocial in size and colouration.

However, it

  • has inconspicuous colouration and a remarkably small tassel, and
  • is undemonstrative in its movements.

The short pelage on the ventral surface of the stalk of the tail is whitish (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/155452668 and https://www.alamy.com/male-puku-kobus-vardonii-luangwa-river-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-image262942470.html?imageid=1FB3D27C-3E34-4ABC-AD36-0814241AC370&p=1507&pn=1&searchId=356726421c3ae41a10ca229beb33e10d&searchtype=0). This is clearest in infancy, when the tail is proportionately broadest.

The tassel, which is small, is individually variable with pale (https://www.alamy.com/puku-kobus-vardonii-in-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-puku-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-image554644989.html?imageid=B31F5794-B219-40B5-8D1D-B007CA50AA3F&p=2184918&pn=1&searchId=0337d514369a51a3cfcf9db06baf1312&searchtype=0) and dark (https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photography-female-puku-antelope-kobus-vardonii-botswana-image15290942).

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/102712875

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/68351135

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/66771524

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/45088744

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/9364514

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/487719

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/1240854

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/195943984

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/188818383

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/187660690

As in other reduncins, the tail is raised by the puku during defecation/micturition (https://th2ombre.files.wordpress.com/2023/06/africa-23-jpegs-1391-1.jpg and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/150954031 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/3931509).

However, this does not expose any conspicuous colouration in the case of the puku.

Dark/pale pattern on the feet

In the puku, the pasterns tend to be pale.

However, there is no dark/pale contrast, because the fetlocks lack the darkness seen in the kob (Kobus kob, 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#).

For this reason, the puku - unlike the kob - lacks a pedal flag.

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-kobus-vardonii-senganus-male-standing-1707732895 and https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/impala-aepyceros-melampus-huge-male-staying-1536369902

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

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

to be continued in https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/91153-adaptive-colouration-in-the-puku-kobus-vardoni-an-anomalously-plain-coloured-grazer-part-2#....

Julkaistu maaliskuu 20, 2024 12:39 AP. käyttäjältä milewski milewski | 14 kommenttia | Jätä kommentti