Cephalophus rufilatus, Gray, 1846

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 : 729

261.

Red-flanked Duiker

Cephalophus rufilatus

French: Céphalophe a flancs roux / German: Rotflankenducker / Spanish: Duiker de flancos rojos

Taxonomy. Cephalophus rufilatus Gray, 1846 ,

Gambia.

Two subspecies have been described but are considered invalid here. Monotypic.

Distribution. From Senegal to SW Sudan and NW Uganda.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 60-70 cm, tail 7-10 cm, shoulder height 30-38 cm; weight 9-12 kg. The Red-flanked Duiker is a small duiker with a hunched back and relatively short legs. Unusual for duikers, males tend to be larger than females. Overall color is orange-rufous; the underparts are slightly less red but not significantly paler. A broad bluish-gray band runs along the mid-dorsal line from the neck to the rump and may extend onto the tail in some individuals. The lateral borders of the dorsal stripe show individual variation from sharp to indistinct; the stripe tends to be darker in eastern parts of the species’ range. All four legs are dark blue-gray in color below the line of the belly. The tail is narrow and ends with a black tuft. There is a dark blaze down the middle of the face. The muzzle, including the chin,is black, and the upper lip and underside of the jaw are white. Large preorbital glands are present in front of the eyes. The ears are wide and relatively large; the backs are dark brown to black, and the interior is similarly dark but with several white patches around the borders. The coronal tuft is black, and varies markedly in length between individuals. Horns are always present in males but are regularly lacking in females. The horns are simple smooth spikes that point backward in the same plane as the forehead; in individuals with short horns, they may be hidden within the coronal tuft. Horn lengths are typically 6.9-5 cm for males and 3-4 cm for females (when present). Dental formulais10/3,C0/1,P 3/3, M 3/3 (x2) = 32.

Habitat. Savanna woodlands in West and Central Africa. The Red-flanked Duiker typically remains in the vicinity of dense vegetative growth, and may thus inhabit savannas with relic patches of forest or riverine/riparian woodlands far from true forests. It is often found near water. Population densities in suitable habitat may be 3—4 ind/km?; where the species is less common, densities may be 0-5-2 ind/km? or even as low as 0-1 ind/km?. This species does not occur in high forest.

Food and Feeding. Primarily a browser; leaves compose 60% of the diet in Nigeria. Twigs, flowers, and fruits are also consumed. Preferred plant food species in Nigeria include Piliostigma thonningii (leaf tips), Combretum sp. (twigs and leaves), Mucuna flagellipes (twigs and leaves, especially in March), and Spondias mombin (fruit). In Ghana, Ficus capensis, Nauclea latifolia , and Phoenix reclinata are most commonly consumed. A study of stomach contents in Ivory Coast revealed frequent foraging on Anthocleista djalonensis, Ficus capensis, Nauclea latifolia , and Blighia sapida. Cultivated crops may be consumed if available. Roots, tree bark, and grasses have not been observed in the diet. Minerallicks are seldom visited. The general feeding pattern is to move slowly from plant to plant while nibbling small leaves, then to move about one meter and resume browsing. Tall browse may be reaches by standing upright on the hindlegs. In Ghana, Red-flanked Duikers have been frequently observed foraging beneath trees in which Tantalus Monkeys (Chlorocebus tantalus) or Olive Baboons (Papio anubis) are feeding.

Breeding. Reproduction in the Red-flanked Duiker is thought to be seasonal; infants have been reported in the dry season or early wet season. Estrus lasts for less than 1-5 days. During courtship, a male chases after an estrous female, smelling and licking her rump and anogentital region. When approaching full estrus, the female will stop and urinate; the male will test the urinary hormones using the flehmen response. Copulation attempts (each lasting a couple of seconds) may occur frequently: four successful intromissions were observed in a 40minute span. Gestation is 223-245 days, with two of three reported values being 240-245 days. Litter size is one. After birth, the infant lies concealed in dense vegetation, where it remainsstill even if approached closely. Weight at birth averages 1-01 kg (range 0-84—1-17 kg, sample size 17). Weaning occurs at approximately three months of age. Females may give birth for the first time at 26 months, and thus reach sexual maturity by 18 months. Longevity, as measured in captive individuals, may exceed 15 years.

Activity patterns. Primarily diurnal, with increased levels of activity during early morning and late afternoon. While moving, the head is usually stretched out in front of the body and is rarely held above the line of the back; the tail is constantly swished from side to side. Red-flanked Duikers retire to the shade of a tree or termite mound at midday to rest and ruminate, although individuals have also been observed foraging in the open at this time. Favored resting areas are regularly used. This species is rarely active at night.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Principally solitary, although seen in pairs in approximately 15% of observations. Associated individuals are typically an adult male and female or a female and her offspring. Groups of three are rarely seen, but are consistently an adult male and female and one offspring. Individuals tend to stay within small home ranges; these may be maintained for many months provided there is no disturbance. Home ranges of the Red-flanked Duiker are marked with secretions from the preorbital gland, but it is not clear whetherterritoriality is involved. Feces are deposited over an area of 15-50 m* in loose middens, generally in the open away from dense vegetation. In general, this species is shy and wary, bounding into the nearest cover when disturbed. The alarm call is a shrill bark.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Redflanked Duiker is common in many parts of its range. Its preferred habitat ofwoodland and open bush minimizes the effect of forest-clearing for agriculture on its potential distribution. Nevertheless, this speciesis threatened outside of protected areas due to encroachment of agricultural lands and increased hunting pressure. The total population is estimated at 170,000 individuals; approximately 50% live in protected areas.

Bibliography. Agbelusi (1992), Dittrich (1969, 1979), East (1999), Eves & Bakarr (2001), Happold (1987), Henshaw & Ayeni (1971), Hofmann & Roth (2003), IUCN/SSC Antelope Specialist Group (2008n), Kingdon (1982, 1997), Schweers (1984), Weigl (2005), Wilson (2001).

Figures

On following pages: 259. Western White-bellied Duiker (Cephalophus leucogaster); 260. Uele White-bellied Duiker (Cephalophus arrhenii); 261. Red-flanked Duiker (Cephalophus rufilatus); 262. Natal Red Duiker (Cephalophus natalensis); 263. Harvey's Duiker (Cephalophus harveyi); 264. Black-fronted Duiker (Cephalophus nigrifrons); 265. ltombwe Duiker (Cephalophus hypoxanthus); 266. Rwenzori Duiker (Cephalophus rubidus); 267. Mount Elgon Duiker (Cephalophus fosteri); 268. Mount Kenya Duiker (Cephalophus hooki)

Distribution. From Senegal to SW Sudan and NW Uganda .