Redunca bohor, Rüpper, 1842
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6512484 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6636808 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03F50713-997F-FFC5-0348-F44FFE1FFC8E |
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treatment provided by |
Conny |
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scientific name |
Redunca bohor |
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Bohor Reedbuck
French: Rédunca d'Abyssinie / German: Bohor-Riedbock / Spanish: Redunca bohor
Taxonomy. Redunca bohor Ruppell, 1842 ,
Central Abyssinia.
The Bohor Reedbuck was formerly classified as a subspecies of R. redunca . Monotypic.
Distribution. SE Sudan, W Ethiopia, S & W Kenya, Uganda, E DR Congo, E Rwanda, E Burundi, and Tanzania. View Figure
Descriptive notes. Head—body 100-130 cm, tail 18-20 cm, shoulder height 75-89 cm (males) and 69-76 cm (females); weight 43-55 kg (males) and 36-45 kg (females). In general size, the Bohor Reedbuck tends to be larger than the Western Reedbuck ( R. redunca ) and smaller than the Sudan Reedbuck (R. cottoni). Physically, this species closely resembles the Nigerian Reedbuck (R. nigeriensis). The coatis typically shaggy and oily; the overall color is yellow-fawn, with some grizzling apparent at close quarters. The white underparts meet the golden flanks in an abrupt line. The front surfaces of the legs are marked with black; these markings tend to be stronger in individuals from the southwestern parts of the species’ distribution. The face is golden brown like the body; the lips, chin, underside ofjaw, and upper throat are whitish. Paler markings may also be present around the eyes. The ears are densely lined with white hairs. Subauricular glands, present as bare black patches below the base of each ear, are inconspicuous and covered with hair when inactive. Horns are present only in males; they are lyrate in form, bending backward and outward at the base and then forward toward the tips, creating a sharp inward hook. Circumferential ridges are heaviest at the horn base, and extend along most of the length. Horn length is typically 23.5-35 cm; the distance between tips varies from 11-5 cm to 30 cm. Dental formula is 10/3, C 0/1, P3/3,M3/3(2)=32.
Habitat. Grasslands at elevations up to 3750 m. Surface water is a principal habitat requirement, and the Bohor Reedbuck is rarely found far from water. Areas of short grass (less than 20 cm tall) are typically used for grazing, and stands oftall grass provide cover and shelter. Typically dominant species in preferred habitat include the grasses Sporobolus robustus, Echinochloa spp., and Cynodon spp., and Cyperus sedges. Marshes and low-lying grasslands are particularly important during the dry season. Woodlands and regions with dense shrub cover are generally avoided, although this species may be common in Acacia xanthophloea stands that grow along rivers. It is occasionally seen foraging in farmland. Population densities are typically 10-21 ind/km?; concentrations of up to 28-2 ind/km? have been recorded in the Ethiopian highlands.
Food and Feeding. The Bohor Reedbuck is a grazer, selectively foraging on young shoots of various grasses. Observations in Uganda indicate a preference for the grasses Hyparrhenia filipendula, Sporobolus robustus, Heteropogon contortus, and Themeda triandra. In south-western Tanzania, this species has been noted foraging on Imperata, Leersia, and Vossia grasses, the last being an important food source in the dry season. Cyperus subulatus is consumed in large quantities during the dry season in the eastern parts of DR Congo; Bohor Reedbucks may also browse on the leaves of the shrub Capparis tomentosa at this time.
Breeding. Records of breeding activity and births are scarce; isolated observations of infants have been made during April, September, and November in Tanzania and Uganda. It has been suggested that birth rates are lowest during the dry season (peak drought conditions occur in March). While in estrus, females show increased subauricular gland activity. During courtship, a male approaches an estrous female with his neck stretched out low and the head tilted so that the nose is elevated. The flehmen response is used to evaluate urine to determine the female’s receptivity. Throughout the courtship performance, the male may make “toy trumpet sounds.” The gestation period has not been accurately measured, but it is thought to be 7-5-8 months. Litter size is one; observations of young animals are rare because infants are well hidden in dense vegetation for at least two months. Life span, as measured in captivity, is at least ten years.
Activity patterns. The Bohor Reedbuck is generally active both day and night, except at midday. Activity levels are higher during the dry season, when 50% ofthe daily activity budgetis spent in foraging (compared to 40% during the wet season). Foraging typically begins in the early morning at 06:00 h, with peak activity lasting until 08:00 h (09:00 h in the dry season). Middayis spent resting in dense cover and shaded areas; a second peak in foraging activity occurs in the late afternoon from 16:00 h to 18:00 h. Activity is most frequent between 10:00-20:00 h and 24:00-04:00 h during the wet season; this second nocturnal peak is usually earlier in the dry season, 22:00-02:00 h. Although occasionally reported as being most active after dusk, no significant differ ence was found between daylight and night-time activity levels of Bohor Reedbuck in central Ethiopia.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. Daily movements depend on season and forage quality. In high-quality areas, individual Bohor Reedbuck may travel 1-4 km/day, whereas in poorer-quality habitats daily movements may be 3-6 km. Males are territorial and often solitary, defending an area of 0-2—0-3 km?®. Territorial boundaries are not obviously marked; resident males appear to delineate their defended areas by producing a whistling call when other males approach the edge of the territory. An individual male’s territory is closely overlapped by the home ranges of 1-5 (occasionally up to seven) adult females. United by their home ranges, an adult male and several females form a loose harem group that is rarely seen together in its entirety. Females may associate together in groups of 2-5 individuals, but individuals join and separate frequently; likewise, the territorial male may temporarily accompany any of the females, sometimes forjust a few hours. Young females remain with their mothers for at least one year (until after the birth of her next offspring). However, adult males show a low tolerance for subadult males, and force them to disperse once their horns begin to grow. Juvenile, subadult, and non-territorial adult males often associate in bachelor groups in areas not occupied by resident males. These groups may be tolerated by territorial males in the absence of females. However, they are quickly displaced upon the arrival of females by a range of behaviors, from subtle gestures to vigorous chases. Large herds, thought to be temporary aggregations of different family groups, are seen throughout the year in some locations. Herds of up to 38 individuals have been recorded in the wet season, and in the dry season, when Bohor Reedbuck are concentrated in swampy areas with good foraging, up to 59 individuals have been seen together.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List (under R. redunca ). The Bohor Reedbuck remains the most common reedbuck in northern savannas, with an estimated population of over 37,000 in Tanzania alone. The population is generally stable and inhabits numerous protected areas in the eastern parts of its distribution, although western populations in Rwanda and Burundi are significantly reduced as a result of human encroachment. Illegal hunting and the expansion of settlement and agriculture are the principal threats outside of protected areas.
Bibliography. Afework et al. (2010), East (1999), Edroma & Kenyi (1985), Field (1968), Hendrichs (1975), IUCN/SSC Antelope Specialist Group (2008az), Kingdon (1982), Kutilek (1979), Lydekker (1914), Mugangu-Trinto (1989), Weigl (2005).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
