Cephalophus leucogaster, Gray, 1873

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 : 728

259.

Western White-bellied Duiker

Cephalophus leucogaster

French: Céphalophe a ventre blanc / German: Weil 3bauchducker / Spanish: Duiker de vientre blanco

Other common names: Gaboon Duiker

Taxonomy. Cephalophus leucogaster Gray, 1873 ,

Gabon.

This species formerly included C. arrhenii as a subspecies. Monotypic.

Distribution. Cameroon S of Sanaga River, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, SW Central African Republic, and Republic of the Congo; restricted to the E by the Congo and Ubangi rivers.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 92-100 cm, tail 12-15 cm, shoulder height c¢.42-51 cm; weight 14-17. 5 kg. Females tend to be slightly heavier than males (c.8% difference). The pelage of the Western White-bellied Duikeris sleek, consistently short over the entire body, and generally pale-colored. Overall coloration is golden brown with reddish tones; the color is most intense along the back and toward the rump. The shoulders are grayish, and all four legs are brownish-gray, darkening toward the hooves. Black patches are present on the hocks. The undersides (including the throat, chest, belly, hind surfaces of buttocks, and insides of legs) are white. This pale coloration extends up the sides, where it gradually merges with the body color. A black dorsal stripe begins as a narrow streak at the nape of the neck or shoulders, widening in the middle of the back and then narrowing to a point at the base of the tail: it is characteristically widest in the middle of the back. The dorsal stripe is narrower than in the Uele White-bellied Duiker (C. arrhenii): its average maximum width is 3:6—4-7 cm, occasionally up to 6-9 cm. Banded hairs border the dorsal stripe, producing an irregular or scalloped edge in some individuals. The tail is reddish on the upper surface and naked underneath; there is a very large and prominent “powder puff” terminal tuft of white-tipped black hairs. The cheeks are the same pale reddish-brown as the body; the forehead, bridge of nose, and muzzle are blackish-brown. The well-developed crest at the top of the head is bright rufous, sometimes mixed with black hairs. The chin is white. Very short, heavily ringed horns are found in both sexes; length averages 4-68 cm in males (sample of 14 skulls) and 2-35 cm in females (sample of 13 skulls). Maximum recorded horn length (from Sette Cama, Gabon) is 12-7 cm. Dental formulais10/3,C0/1,P3/3,M 3/3 (x2) = 32.

Habitat. Undisturbed primary forest. Based on plant species in the diet, mature forest is preferred, but secondary or edge forests and waterside forests are also used for foraging. Some reports indicate this species uses secondary forest edges adjacent to savannas.

Food and Feeding. Frugivorous. From nine samples in Gabon, stomach contents contained, on average, 72:9% fruit and seeds, 24-7% leaves, petioles, and stems, and 2:24% flowers. Trace amounts (less than 1%) of fungi and animal matter were also identified. Important plants in the diet include Artabotrys rhopalocarpus, Cylindropsis parvifolia, Plagiostyles africana, Irvingia grandifolia, Ongokea gore, and Nauclea diderrichu.

Breeding. There is very little specific information available on the reproductive habits of the Western White-bellied Duiker. One well-developed fetus weighed 1-5 kg. Pelage of infants is pale gray; the dorsal stripe is less prominent than in mature animals. Adult coloration is achieved prior to weaning.

Activity patterns. Diurnal, butlittle other specific information available for this species.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is very little specific information available for this species. The Western White-bellied Duiker occupies large home ranges and is presumably similar to the Uele White-bellied Duiker in this regard. When disturbed, these duikers will freeze in position and attempt to locate the source of noise or movement, and then seek safety by bounding away in a zig-zag pattern. Both sexes will approach a nasal bleating call, a behavior that hunters exploit by “calling” duikers towards them.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Western White-bellied Duikeris one of the rarest duiker species, especially in western parts of its range. The readiness with which it approaches hunters that “call” has resulted in its being one of the first duikers eliminated from areas with heavy hunting. Numbers are generally stable in remote forests with minimal human disturbance.

Bibliography. Dubost (1984), Grubb & Groves (2001), Hart (In Press), IUCN/SSC Antelope Specialist Group (2008e), Kingdon (1997), Mabrant & Maclatchy (1949), 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. Cameroon S of Sanaga River, Equatorial Guinea , Gabon , SW Central African Republic , and Republic of the Congo ; restricted to the E by the Congo and Ubangi rivers.