@tonyrebelo @jeremygilmore @beartracker @paradoxornithidae @dejong @zarek @matthewinabinett @christiaan_viljoen @henrydelange @douglasriverside @tandala @oviscanadensis_connerties @maxallen @michalsloviak @jwidness @davidbygott @ludwig_muller @ptexis @botswanabugs @aguilita @marcelo_aranda @bobby23 @jakob @dinofelis @capracornelius @pmeisenheimer @brenainn @nyoni-pete @richardgill @i_c_riddell @koenbetjes @joseph103 @elisebakker @nickleggatt @lallen
Here are introductory images: https://wall.alphacoders.com/big.php?i=1165392 and https://www.robertharding.com/preview/741-2722/roan-antelope-two-oxpeckers-busanga-plains-kafue-national/.
This is the anatomical location of the withers: https://horse-pros.com/5478/horse-anatomy-withers.
Hippotragus spp. (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=any&taxon_id=42331&view=species) are attractive to oxpeckers (Buphagus spp., https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=any&taxon_id=46&view=species and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhuRR9Sg6l4).
It is obvious that these birds often perch just posterior to the withers (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5538629 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/34841340 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/57000034 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/32316511 and https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/29361796 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/148842553 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/17943594 and https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g1966913-d4491602-i276786359-Chelinda_Lodge-Nyika_National_Park_Northern_Region.html and https://stock.adobe.com/images/antilope-rouanne-hippotragus-equinus/430052750?prev_url=detail).
However, here is something odd.
In the following of Hippotragus equinus, how many individuals are perching just posterior to the withers? (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/188890271).
The answer is two. So, what is the third object?
The answer is: a special tuft of the mane, which seems to have evolved to attract oxpeckers - somewhat like a decoy on a pond attracting ducks - in this genus of hippotragin bovids.
Now, please closely examine the following (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/67077421). What do you see: bird(s), or mane-tuft(s)?
How about the following (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/34374918 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/1837040)?
HIPPOTRAGUS EQUINUS (https://stock.adobe.com/images/pferdeantilopen-in-der-ebene-des-chobe-national-parks-in-der-nahe-von-savuti-botswana/243454629?prev_url=detail)
The mane in H. equinus is
The post-withers mane-tuft grows so promptly that it rivals the horns in length in small juveniles (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/17941075 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/6793163 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/6442592).
The following shows the post-withers mane-tuft from behind: https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-african-roan-antelope-calf-hippotragus-equinus-149312880.html?imageid=9AE78C2E-6D4B-4344-B1CE-7CB589235CCA&p=172933&pn=1&searchId=5b7e805efde1b320f1fde4bd1bddb9a3&searchtype=0 and https://stock.adobe.com/images/antilope-rouanne-hippotragus-equinus/430052709?prev_url=detail.
The West African subspecies, Hippotragus equinus koba, is extralimital to one of the two spp. of oxpecker, namely Buphagus erythrorhynchus (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow-billed_oxpecker#/media/File:Buphagus_africanus_map.svg and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-billed_oxpecker#/media/File:Buphagus_erythrorhynchus_map.svg).
In this subspecies, the post-withers mane-tuft may be hardly noticeable in adults (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/34105019 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/29326406 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/25801218 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/98860520 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/16027979).
However, it remains present (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5280584 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/6443409 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/6562117 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/6183580).
HIPPOTRAGUS NIGER
Hippotragus niger also shows a post-withers mane-tuft (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/7026088 and https://www.mediastorehouse.com/flpa/sable-antelope-hippotragus-niger-adult-male-6543329.html and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/164414284 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/60429397).
The following (https://stock.adobe.com/images/rappenantilope/33673336?prev_url=detail) shows the size of the post-withers mane-tuft relative to Buphagus erythrorhynchus, the smaller-bodied of the two oxpeckers.
However, the feature in question is less discrete than in H. equinus.
This is mainly because, in H. niger, the mane is
ONTOGENY
In H. niger, as in H. equinus, the mane - including the tuft in question - is extremely precocial (https://stock.adobe.com/images/sable-antelope-portrait/45304064?prev_url=detail and https://stock.adobe.com/images/the-sable-antelope-hippotragus-niger/65016549?prev_url=detail).
Infants of H. niger:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/134842522
Juveniles of H. niger:
https://stock.adobe.com/images/sable-antelope/249830413?prev_url=detail and
A noteworthy aspect of the development of the mane in H. niger is that
This differentiation by means of pigmentation, as opposed to an actual gap in the mane, may apply even to adult males (https://stock.adobe.com/images/small-group-of-mature-sable-antelope-on-a-farm-in-south-africa/143805504?prev_url=detail).
POSTURE
The post-withers mane-tuft (or dark pigmentation to the same effect) remains prominent despite the lowering of the neck in foraging.
The anatomical position thus potentially enhances the value of this feature in attracting oxpeckers.
This applies to both spp. of Hippotragus, as shown in the following:
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS OF THE POST-WITHERS MANE-TUFT: HIPPOTRAGUS EQUINUS
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-roan-antelope-portrait-savanna-southern-africa-image75288830
second photo in https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/174496393
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/173418588
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/173418589
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/34841465
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/27642639
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/25684392
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/24195924
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/124729794
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/101392151
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/59295257
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/19417570
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/19128427
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/9355801
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS OF THE POST-WITHERS MANE-TUFT: HIPPOTRAGUS NIGER
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/72397302
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/42159995
https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/photo/sable-antelope-royalty-free-image/622152400?adppopup=true
https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/photo/sable-antelope-royalty-free-image/988024350?adppopup=true
https://www.krugerpark.co.za/africa_sable.html
https://howieswildlifeimages.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/20151014-d4s_4558.jpg
https://www.flickr.com/photos/154131356@N07/51715923933/in/pool-wildlife_unlimited/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/154131356@N07/51716323674/in/pool-wildlife_unlimited/
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/187595353
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/184871699
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/183155583
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/139965882
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/133373188
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/104347723
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/21313316
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/14355100
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/164414284
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/108545995
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/4608441
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/107512367
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/7026088
to be continued in https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/88098-has-the-post-withers-mane-tuft-of-hippotragus-evolved-in-mimicry-of-oxpeckers-buphagus-part-2#...
Kommentit
Nice illustration of conspicuousness of facial colouration in Hippotragus equinus:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/187648092
Illustration of Ptilostomus afer (https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/8371-Ptilostomus-afer) perched just posterior to the withers on Hippotragus equinus:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/34206847
Shift
Ear pinna in Taurotragus oryx:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/70512529
Shift
Ischiopygal bleeze in winter coat of Capreolus capreolus:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/doorsafe2028/51697858111/in/pool-wildlife_unlimited/
REFERENCES ON OXPECKERS
https://scholar.ufs.ac.za/server/api/core/bitstreams/dfbf4cb6-fd63-4dda-953c-5b57f083d702/content
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1018439614008
https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/42377/37stutterheim1988.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y#:~:text=It%20can%2C%20therefore%2C%20be%20concluded,oxpeckers%20under%20similar%20cir%2D%20cumstances.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3194119/
http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0075-64582015000100020
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Host-preferences-of-Red-billed-and-Yellow-billed-Oxpeckers-from-both-Skukuza-and_fig1_284912797
https://www.oiseaux-birds.com/card-yellow-billed-oxpecker.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6832191/
https://academic.oup.com/beheco/article/11/2/154/204658
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003347299912654
https://www.sabisabi.com/discover/wild-facts/redbilled-oxpeckers
https://planetofbirds.com/oxpeckers-buphagidae
https://watermark.silverchair.com/110154.pdf?token=AQECAHi208BE49Ooan9kkhW_Ercy7Dm3ZL_9Cf3qfKAc485ysgAAA1UwggNRBgkqhkiG9w0BBwagggNCMIIDPgIBADCCAzcGCSqGSIb3DQEHATAeBglghkgBZQMEAS4wEQQM7wNFChy6Eg-0-ECFAgEQgIIDCJTcDew8aDa4MElqhNLjHGZqnMlQ17_KXipjP7aFnEDfdKNVBrvedRvynlSks7w7lhEGgeWow2g4YIPH7gn28ToAjorfbk_EFZUZ-_eAtzsdVq5tC002kPMb46xm3BjoPv2TjK4AuAtmZbw4JQyKZwJFeI1_rSFzct6oqgBM2hQqFAccpHXy4vHdj4kyuWVsqXXFBGPpVa-HiS6DBMwWwhC4628V6Nn8yKy_IWbp-4yWawHeL1VJ-dQ-pio50S75NXYpsP1xh802A9ehlN2NOK2U7yCiopgmajaoYt1fAdsUYlJ3PPsqfxQJTEpDF6-Q06eM0FCDrKBzxE9oz-LAnlklCf3ABbcfwOEzcSt3o4aTHo2v8glMAeAUDgE85nZLE2XIfcxsppyDvMAtRpyr8JHYCPK71bSS8OXeOkZMktC4A6NXMBJSPlSxh5smH9rU3pPw_izT5gIMu8mNJ5ahl2r_N6XdVSWF1WMc5jawLOOyUI4OHhQbNIp3pBSrGy0LrGQCy7KrHwj1gt4zWLGdYnHpGIDBSRh7YUf_3Nr6zqe5TDgUxYYXj2n9KMFLVIjppaGGWfoy4ch_p2ZO8LYOCMNml1zxpALZm8Z249Gufel1h9er4WG0fNhIuux75N_G3APa8sEnfGnua2cn1V0-XHKQmaLmfIq-l_AZGjygHj6jf_wCChPjUhBsTVAxtkM27fa8hlfqnlj94N6wEvtm6cpl_lPKS57SjBeIqVIlAQzeeQwJ0RIjIKIAsYyAc0hr3-xLpX-Cs3VVRI2gzV3ceUJHM0khzmLxPEuBhHkU1bvuGbs5HZfOddVn3_OmvfUk6Jrh3RzwzVr8oRO07nXEWTJUGZ-X8g1M6bltXmufRjPCHl-yBSkjForxsK0EASw5MsPCQu2BK8qcUnQyJ1Z0RyLLLcph7hhR9jHFKH_6W53n9OjSI86klKWnuBGsfTjI2EXXFAlvoadzTfk9zmSoc1N5Wy3J6So_ax5sfpcz8o1rtIl3a6hJx3XXuhp_0_VkycEo1mKKUZ32
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5863707/
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Edson-Gandiwa/publication/323295094_Host_preferences_spatial_distribution_and_interaction_of_oxpeckers_with_wild_ungulates_in_and_around_southern_Gonarezhou_National_Park_Zimbabwe/links/5aa6f1b4a6fdcccdc46a8c30/Host-preferences-spatial-distribution-and-interaction-of-oxpeckers-with-wild-ungulates-in-and-around-southern-Gonarezhou-National-Park-Zimbabwe.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArE1nX3h3Ow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w0pgSc5ptw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4fuaRQWeOY
PARTICULARLY CLEAR DEPICTIONS OF POST-WITHERS MANE-TUFT IN HIPPOTRAGUS NIGER NIGER
Fully mature males:
https://stock.adobe.com/images/large-sable-antelope-with-oxpeckers-on-his-back-standing-on-the-open-african-plains/170367173?prev_url=detail
https://stock.adobe.com/ca/images/sable-antelope-in-the-plains-moremi-game-reserve-botswana-africa/306409884
https://stock.adobe.com/images/sable-antelope-in-the-plains-moremi-game-reserve-botswana-africa/306409884?prev_url=detail
https://stock.adobe.com/ar/images/sable-antelope-in-the-plains-moremi-game-reserve-botswana-africa/306409972
Adult female:
https://www.alamy.com/sable-antelope-hippotragus-niger-female-with-yellow-billed-oxpecker-buphagus-africanus-on-back-hwange-national-park-zimbabwe-october-2012-image262940283.html?imageid=46B3FFA5-BE43-4801-91E8-B196ED79B49D&p=403559&pn=7&searchId=2e53d2ed5b881c2af6863ceb6110b704&searchtype=0
Small juvenile at first appearance of horn-tips, just after infant stage:
https://www.alamy.com/sable-antelope-hippotragus-nigeryoung-calf-south-africa-image181670081.html
Fully mature male Hippotragus niger, performing what seems to be a proud-trot (a form of stotting):
https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=sable+antelope&asset_id=364903287
https://stock.adobe.com/images/sable-antelope/364903287?prev_url=detail
Mutation of ischial feature:
https://stock.adobe.com/images/sable-antelope-very-expensive-south-africa-game-safari/249998872?prev_url=detail
https://stock.adobe.com/images/sable-antelope/159419283?prev_url=detail
Post-withers mane-tuft in adolescent Hippotragus niger niger:
Female:
https://stock.adobe.com/images/sable-antelope-kruger-national-park/629030032?prev_url=detail
https://stock.adobe.com/images/sable-antelope-at-kruger-national-park/629029770?prev_url=detail
Male:
https://stock.adobe.com/images/the-sable-antelope-hippotragus-niger-is-an-antelope-which-inhabits-wooded-savanna-in-east-and-southern-africa/545396729?prev_url=detail
Ischio-abdominal bleeze in adolescent male Hippotragus niger niger:
https://www.alamy.com/sable-hippotragus-niger-dronfield-nature-reserve-northern-cape-south-africa-image417606909.html?imageid=6763635D-DF2E-4634-8505-99DF44ED1A21&p=12455&pn=1&searchId=8603410b55766f9ac45149721045a364&searchtype=0
The following shows the appearance of the post-withers mane-tuft of Hippotragus niger niger at distance, in a group of females and juveniles:
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-sable-antelope-kruger-national-park-south-africa-specie-hippotragus-niger-family-bovidae-image96303408
Please scroll to the tenth photo in https://fossilrim.org/blog/mclachlan-details-roan-antelope-at-fossil-rim/, for an illustration of the wide gape of Hippotragus equinus.
Shift
FLEHMEN IN HIPPOTRAGUS EQUINUS
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-two-male-antelopes-fighting-each-other-mating-season-botswana-okavango-delta-excellent-illustration-image81664210
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-portrait-antelope-beautiful-horns-close-up-botswana-okavango-delta-image81669845
HIPPOTRAGUS LEUCOPHAEUS
It is noteworthy that the extinct congener, Hippotragus leucophaeus, had a poorly-developed mane (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluebuck).
The post-withers mane-tuft was presumably absent.
The relevance is that H. leucophaeus occurred in South Africa (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluebuck#/media/File:Distribution_of_blue,_sable,_and_roan_antelope_in_southern_Africa.jpeg), where its habitat was mainly extralimital to both spp. of Buphagus (https://planetofbirds.com/oxpeckers-buphagidae).
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229520029_Differential_foraging_of_oxpeckers_on_impala_in_comparison_with_sympatric_antelope_species
https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/53998/10bezuidenhout1980.pdf?sequence=4&isAllowed=y
https://www.alamy.com/female-sable-antelopes-drinking-and-watching-out-in-malawi-image351429949.html
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-male-sable-antelope-drinking-95715906.html?imageid=6E8F5E5A-80BE-43CA-B8C1-DB747AF29163&p=161494&pn=1&searchId=656c0bb897f8c1681a73b120e14ec310&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo--75688233.html?imageid=BE1C7A4A-0B93-4727-91C3-1BD3BA912749&p=20852&pn=1&searchId=656c0bb897f8c1681a73b120e14ec310&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo--75688217.html?imageid=9FCC0DAF-85D8-4809-B159-9FE48BF656B2&p=20852&pn=1&searchId=656c0bb897f8c1681a73b120e14ec310&searchtype=0
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/big-sable-bull-wild-spring-time-2392340965
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/young-sable-bull-walking-side-view-2033376728
https://stock.adobe.com/images/sable-antelope-hippotragus-niger-also-known-as-the-black-ante/86684903?prev_url=detail
https://stock.adobe.com/images/sable-antelope-hippotragus-niger/85341670?prev_url=detail
https://stock.adobe.com/images/sable-antelope-hippotragus-niger-kruger-national-park/113100420?prev_url=detail
https://stock.adobe.com/images/sable-antelope-in-the-grass-with-trees/400668182?prev_url=detail
https://stock.adobe.com/images/sable-antelope/61695756?prev_url=detail
https://stock.adobe.com/images/a-female-sable-antelope-standing-while-being-watchful-of-it-s-surroundings/595200385?prev_url=detail
https://stock.adobe.com/images/elegant-fulll-frame-side-profile-of-a-male-sable-antelope-standing-in-the-bush-in-hwange-zimbabwe/172592829?prev_url=detail
https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/news-photo/sable-antelope-khwai-concession-okavango-delta-botswana-news-photo/1487609950?adppopup=true
https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/photo/sable-antilope-chobe-national-park-royalty-free-image/1271308527?phrase=sable+antelope&adppopup=true
https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photography-sable-antelope-image20725827
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/antelope-seen-profile-savannah-samburu-park-1428186671
https://www.gettyimages.ie/detail/photo/sable-antelope-bull-africa-royalty-free-image/200351165-001
The following video-clip (https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=%22sable+antelope%22&asset_id=321049941) shows a juvenile female individual of Hippotragus niger niger, with horns somewhat longer than the ear pinnae, grazing.
Clearly visible is the post-withers mane-tuft, which - together with the rest of the well-developed mane - is fully dark.
shift
https://stock.adobe.com/images/rappenantilopen/33673239?prev_url=detail
https://stock.adobe.com/images/rappenantilopen/33673214?prev_url=detail
Fully-developed facial colouration in mature female of Hippotragus niger niger:
https://stock.adobe.com/images/rappenantilope/677630611?prev_url=detail
Shift
Particularly clear illustration of the flesh-coloured bare skin of the perineum in Taurotragus oryx:
https://stock.adobe.com/images/sable-antilope-calf/53553097?prev_url=detail
https://gorongosa.org/antelopes/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ab8CS-QAdD0
https://cdn1.parksmedia.wdprapps.disney.com/media/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/NBA7506822LARGE.jpg
https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-1071525859-sable-antelope-rubs-face-horns-on-small
shift to Post on trophic relationships in sable antelope:
Illustration of large bites in Hippotragus niger:
https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/photo/sable-royalty-free-image/180553859?phrase=sable+antelope&adppopup=true
Geophagy:
https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/photo/sable-licking-salt-chobe-national-park-botswana-royalty-free-image/1007210408?phrase=sable+antelope&adppopup=true
https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/stu_honor/75/
https://academic.oup.com/beheco/article/33/3/541/6542192?login=false
https://www.dreamstime.com/common-eland-also-known-as-southern-eland-eland-antelope-savannah-plains-antelope-found-east-southern-image175653144
https://www.dreamstime.com/young-eland-antelope-calf-tragelaphus-oryx-natural-habitat-south-africa-image149893189
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ucumari/2831036306
https://www.dreamstime.com/addax-also-known-as-white-antelope-addax-also-known-as-white-antelope-screwhorn-antelope-antelope-image175707812
https://stock.adobe.com/images/pferdeantilope/480550459?prev_url=detail
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/sable-antelope-gm1305837333-396602483
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/sable-antelope-gm1307073575-397460494
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/young-sable-bull-walking-side-view-2033376728
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/mixed-herd-of-sable-antelope-in-hwange-national-park-zimbabwe-gm897245678-247655086?phrase=antelope+legs&searchscope=image%2Cfilm
In https://www.africansky.com/african-travel/south-africa/destinations/national-parks/kruger-park/kruger-national-park-mammals, please scroll to the photo of the roan antelope.
https://jojobayvel.wixsite.com/purpleraingame/single-post/2016/05/18/roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-in-breeding-camps
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