Tragelaphus meneliki, Neumann, 1902

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2011, Bovidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 2 Hoofed Mammals, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 444-779 : 600

22.

Ethiopian Highlands Bushbuck

Tragelaphus meneliki

French: Guib de Ménélik / German: Hochland-Schirrantilope / Spanish: Bushbuck de Menelik

Taxonomy. Tragelaphus meneliki Neumann, 1902 ,

Gara Mulatta, Burka and Jaffa ranges, upper Webi watershed, Ethiopia.

The Ethiopian Highlands Bushbuck appears to be a highland endemic. It was formerly considered a subspecies of T. scriptus , but it is diagnostically different from other bushbucks. A synonym of the Ethiopian Highlands Bushbuck is powell. Monotypic.

Distribution. C Ethiopian Highlands.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 117-145 cm (males) and 114-132 cm (females), tail 19-24 cm, shoulder height 64-100 cm (males) and 61-85 cm (females); weight 40-80 kg (males) and 24-60 kg (females). These measurements are general for the bushbuck group and should be considered provisional until further information is available for individual species. Tragelaphines are typified by their sexual dimorphism, and the weight of males is generally about 160% of that of females. Bushbucks are the smallest tragelaphines with large ears and eyes and a rather round, crested back. Their hindquarters tend to be higher and more robust that their forequarters. Ethiopian Highlands Bushbucksare tall, standing 74-9 cm at the shoulders. Adult males are dark brown to black, with no white except in the armpit and the occasional 2-3 indistinct white flecks on the haunches and above the hooves. Very occasionally, there are traces of white lines down the forelegs, and there is an imperfect white chevron between the eyes. The dorsal crest is black, with the slightest presence of white. Female Ethiopian Highlands Bushbucks are a pale red (pale brown rufous) with a tendency for the white markings to be more evident than on males. In both sexes, the coat, including the neck,is long, full, and shining. Inguinal glands occur ahead of the mammae, but there are no false hoof glands. The tails are relatively short, long-haired, and bushy, colored the same as the back dorsally, but white below, and usually tipped in black. Only males have keeled horns, which are nearly straight with generally only one or slightly more twists. The average length of the horns of the Ethiopian Highlands Bushbuck is about 26-27 cm. Average total length of the skull is 22-8 cm. Dental formula is 10/3, C0/1, P3/3,M3/3 (x2) = 32. Diploid numbers for the bushbuck group are 33 for males and 34 for females.

Habitat. As a group, bushbucks are the most ubiquitous hoofed mammals in Africa, but because of their relatively solitary nature (particularly males), relatively small size, tendency to freeze and cryptically blend into their surroundings, and preference for forest and forest edge, they are difficult to observe and census. According to Y. Moodley and M. W. Bruford, the Ethiopian Montane Grassland/Woodland and Ethiopian Montane Moorland ecoregions of east-central Africa are occupied exclusively by the Ethiopian Highlands Bushbuck haplogroup. They are usually found near free water, which may be as much a reflection of their preferred forested habitats thriving near water as a physiological need.

Food and Feeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but it is probably similar to other bushbuck species that eat a variety of shrubs, legumes, and other herbaceous plants as well as new-growth of grasses. They are fond of the fruits of various trees and can be observed feeding on fallen fruits under trees where baboons and other monkeys are foraging. In some places, bushbucks eat various crops by night and are considered agricultural pests.

Breeding. Bushbucks have been described as the most socially primitive of the tragelaphines and are typically thought of as a non-terrritorial polygynous breeder (see the Nile Bushbuck for the most thorough studies of breeding behavior).

Activity patterns. There is little specific information available for this species, but activity patterns are probably comparable to the general bushbuck pattern, being crepuscular and nocturnal and spending much of the day resting/ruminating in forest cover, often alone, or pairs of mother—offspring.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is little specific information available for this species, but it is probably comparable to other bushbuck species. Bushbucks do not range over a wide area. Home ranges are not exclusive, but individuals do have their own, apparently exclusive, place to rest during the day. They are not aggressive to one another, and regular social interactions are largely confined to mother—offspring pairs and male—females during rut.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List (under 7. scriptus ), which does not differentiate the eight species identified here. In localized areas, some populations of bushbucks have decreased because of excessive illegal harvest, destruction of native habitats as human populations and livestock numbers have increased, and increased aridity. Generally, however, bushbucks can do well in areas of human habitation because of their secretive nature, non-herding tendencies, cryptic coat patterning and tendency to freeze and blend in with their surroundings when faced with danger. Their flexible daily schedules permit them to adopt a nocturnal pattern in areas of human activity. Bushbuck populations are considered stable rangewide. The Ethiopian Highlands Bushbuck is one of the least known of the bushbuck species, so future research is required to establish its population characteristics and conservation needs.

Bibliography. Ansell (1972), Bro-Jorgensen (2008), East (1999), Estes (1991a, 1991b), Groves & Grubb (2011), IUCN/SSC Antelope Specialist Group (2009), Kingdon (1982, 1997), Lydekker & Blaine (1914), Moodley & Bruford (2007), Moodley et al. (2009), Nowak (1999), Olson et al. (2001), Walther (1990a), Wronski & Moodley (2009).

Figures

14. Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis), 16. Chowsingha (Tetracerus quadricornis), 17. Nyala (Nyala angasii)

Distribution. C Ethiopian Highlands.