Soemmerring's gazelle
Soemmerring's gazelle[1] | |
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Soemmerring's gazelle at Yangudi Rassa National Park, Ethiopia | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Artiodactyla |
Family: | Bovidae |
Subfamily: | Antilopinae |
Tribe: | Antilopini |
Genus: | Nanger |
Species: | N. soemmerringii
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Binomial name | |
Nanger soemmerringii (Cretzschmar, 1828)
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Synonyms | |
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Soemmerring's gazelle (Nanger soemmerringii), also known as the Abyssinian mohr, is a
Since 1986, Soemmerring's gazelle has been classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).[2]
Taxonomy and evolution
The
Soemmerring's gazelle is more genetically related to Grant's gazelle (N. granti) and Thomson's gazelle (Eudorcas thomsonii) with Soemmering's gazelle being the closest relative of the two species.[3]
Subspecies
Traditionally, three subspecies are recognized:[1][4]
- Nubian Soemmerring's gazelle (N. s. soemmeringii) (Cretzschmar, 1828)
- Somali Soemmerring's gazelle (N. s. berberana) (Matschie, 1893)
- Borani Soemmerring's gazelle (N. s. butteri) (Thomas, 1904)
The dwarf population on Dahlak Kebir island might also qualify as a subspecies.[4]
Physical description
Soemmerring's gazelle is a tall gazelle with tan flanks, gradually turning to white on the belly, and long black horns. They are about 75–90 cm (2.5–3.0 ft) at the shoulder, and they weigh 35–45 kg (77-99 lb).
Soemmerring's and Grant's gazelles' outward appearance are so similar, they are often mistaken for each other where their ranges overlap.[5]
Distribution and habitat
Soemmerring's gazelles is native to the Horn of Africa. It lives in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan. However, it is extinct in Sudan. They inhabit open steppes with brush and acacia, as well as steppes with few trees. At some point in history, a Soemmerring's gazelle population became isolated on Dahlak Kebir island in the Dahlak Archipelago, where the gazelle actually developed a dwarf form of the larger mainland races.[4]
Ecology and behavior
Diet
The diet of the gazelle consists of acacia and bush leaves, grasses, and herbs.
Reproduction
Scientists suggest the males are temporarily territorial. The lifespan for this animal is up to 14 years.[6]
Threats
Soemmerring's gazelle is listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List.[2]
In many parts of North Africa and the Middle East, large stone corrals were constructed to drive herds of gazelle into, making for an easy ambush. This method of hunting started in prehistoric time, and continued into the early part of the 20th century.[citation needed]
Most species of gazelles have been hunted for food over the course of history. Soemmerring's gazelles are very understudied due to their small numbers. In parts of their former range they are extirpated due to hunting and habitat destruction.[2]
References
- ^ OCLC 62265494.
- ^ . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ Peter Arctander; et al. (1996). "Extreme genetic differences among populations of Gazella granti, Grant's gazelle, in Kenya" (PDF). Heredity. 76 (5). Retrieved 31 December 2016.
- ^ .
- ^ "Soemmering's gazelle | mammal". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
- ^ "Soemmerring's Gazelle Facts and Information | SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment". seaworld.org. Retrieved 2020-05-30.