Redunca occidentalis (Rothschild, 1907)
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6512484 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6636802 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03F50713-9978-FFC3-03DA-FE8EFD45F651 |
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treatment provided by |
Conny |
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scientific name |
Redunca occidentalis |
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Zambian Reedbuck
French: Rédunca de Zambie / German: Sambia-Riedbock / Spanish: Redunca de Zambia
Taxonomy. Cervicapra arundineum [sic] occidentalis Rothschild, 1907 View in CoL ,
Near Fort Jameson, Zambia.
The Zambian Reedbuck was formerly classified as a subspecies of R. arundinum ; it is elevated to species status here, but further studies are needed to clarify the differ ences in morphology and distribution between the two taxa. Many references treat all records north of the Zambezi River as belonging to R. occidentalis , but skull measurements indicate that this species is restricted to the general vicinity of Lake Malawi. Monotypic.
Distribution. E Zambia, Malawi, S Tanzania, and N Mozambique; despite the specific epithet occidentalis (“western”), the Zambian Reedbuck appears to be confined to E Africa. No studies have attempted to conclusively delimit the geographical range of the Zambian Reedbuck from that of the Southern Reedbuck ( R. arundinum ). View Figure
Descriptive notes. Weight 57.7-65. 5 kg (males from E Zambia) or 66.4-67. 7 kg (males from Malawi), and 44.5-55 kg (females). No confirmed body length measurements for the Zambian Reedbuck are available, but are presumed to be similar to those of the Southern Reedbuck. The pelage is rusty gray or tawny over the body; the limbs and tail tend to be suffused with gray. The undersides are white, and this coloration expands to cover the buttocks. The legs have a black stripe on their front surfaces. The underside of the tail and its tufted tip are white. The head and neck are paler and grayer than in the Southern Reedbuck. A blaze of darker brown runs along the bridge of the nose. The ears are large, and a black glandular patch is present beneath each ear base. The forward-curving horns are borne only by males; these are shorter and less curved than those of the Southern Reedbuck. The skull has a larger occipital crest than that of the Southern Reedbuck. Dental formulais10/3,C0/1,P 3/3, M 3/3 (x2) = 32.
Habitat. Savanna zones (including floodplains and montane grassland) with ready access to water. Population density on the Nyika Plateau ( Malawi) was estimated to be 1-9 ind/km? based on aerial counts; this method has a tendency to underestimate numbers, and thus actual density is likely in the range of 4 ind/km?.
Food and Feeding. A grazer; the dietary habits of the Zambian Reedbuck are poorly known, but are likely similar to those of the Southern Reedbuck.
Breeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but aspects of reproduction are presumably similar to those of the Southern Reedbuck.
Activity patterns. Primarily crespuscular and nocturnal. This species is reportedly active throughout the night, and retires into cover at 08:00-09:00 h for the day. Zambian Reedbucks are reluctant to leave their resting places unless closely approached by a potential threat.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. Pairs or threesomes are typical in Zambia. Larger groups of 4-5 or even up to twelve animals have been recorded. Preliminary observations indicate thatthis species,like the Southern Reedbuck, is sedentary and concentrates all activities in a restricted home range. When startled, this species flees with bounding jumps rather than at a smooth run; the Zambian Reedbuck frequently stops while fleeing, and observes the threat, holding the head high and the ears pricked.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List (under R. arundinum ). Due to the imprecise delineation of the distributional limits of the Zambian Reedbuck, population figures are unknown; over 6700 animals are believed to live in protected areas in Malawi.
Bibliography. Ansell (1960), Cotterill (2000), East (1999), IUCN/SSC Antelope Specialist Group (2008av), Kingdon (1997), Lydekker (1914), Wilson (1968).
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.
