Bushbuck Tragelaphus Scriptus Research Articles

Factors affecting the prey preferences of jackals (Canidae)

Prey selection by carnivores can be affected by top-down and bottom-up factors. For example, large carnivores may facilitate food resources for mesocarnivores by providing carcasses to scavenge, however mesocarnivores may hunt large prey themselves, and their diets might be affected by prey size and behaviour. We reviewed jackal diet studies and determined how the presence of large carnivores and various bottom-up factors affected jackal prey selection. We found 20 studies of black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) from 43 different times or places, and 13 studies of Eurasian golden jackals (Canis aureus) from 23 different times or places reporting on 3900 and 2440 dietary records (i.e. scats or stomach contents), respectively. Black-backed jackals significantly preferred small (<30kg) ungulate species that hide their young (duiker Sylvicapra grimmia, bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus and springbok Antidorcas marsupialis), and avoided large (>120kg) hider species and follower species of any body size. They had a preferred and accessible prey weight range of 14–26kg, and a predator to ideal prey mass ratio of 1:3.1. Eurasian golden jackal significantly prefer to prey on brown hare (Lepus europaeus; 4kg), yielding a predator to preferred prey mass ratio of 1:0.6, and a preferred and accessible prey weight range of 0–4kg and 0–15kg, respectively. Prey preferences of jackals differed significantly in the presence of apex predators, but it was not entirely due to carrion availability of larger prey species. Our results show that jackal diets are affected by both top-down and bottom-up factors, because apex predators as well as prey size and birthing behaviour affected prey preferences of jackals. A better understanding of the factors affecting jackal prey preferences, as presented here, could lead to greater acceptance of mesocarnivores and reduced human-wildlife conflict.

Diet of nesting African Crowned Eagles Stephanoaetus coronatus in emerging and forest–savanna habitats in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The aim of this study was to investigate the species composition of prey caught in the forest, savanna and emerging habitats in which African Crowned Eagles Stephanoaetus coronatus breed in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. At the 17 nest sites, the remains of 195 prey individuals were collected. The five dominant prey species caught were Rock Hyrax Procavia capensis, Vervet Monkey Chlorocebus pygerythrus, Blue Duiker Philantomba monticola, Greater Canerat Thryonomys swinderianus and Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus. All of these species respond positively to urban expansion. Only eagles that nested inside protected areas were recorded preying on domestic animals. In terms of biomass, Bushbuck was one of the dominant taxa, and the remains of an estimated 28.8 kg Bushbuck ram was found under a nest. The surprisingly high proportion of Rock Hyraxes and low proportion of Vervet Monkeys caught in emerging habitat may indicate that African Crowned Eagles nesting in this habitat are adapting to a more specialised feeding strategy compared with those nesting in habitats that are more natural. Future studies should investigate how and why prey proliferates in emerging habitats and examine the association between land uses and the diet of African Crowned Eagles.

Hunting affects dry season habitat selection by several bovid species in northern Benin

Multiple land uses including tourism, hunting, and agriculture around protected areas can be a serious complication for wildlife management. We calculated habitat selection indices (Manly's alpha) for 10 bovid species in the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve in Benin, west Africa, to assess if habitat use differed in each bovid species between hunting and non‐hunting zones. Presence/absence data was used in resource‐selection functions based on a generalized linear mixed effect model to examine factors that explained bovid species distribution. We observed stronger avoidance of open habitat types in the hunting zone than in the non hunting zone for the hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus, oribi Ourebia ourebi, roan Hippotragus equines, kob Kobus kob, Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus defassa and reedbuck Redunca redunca. In contrast, in grey duiker Sylvicapra grimmia, red‐flanked duiker Cephalophus rufilatus, bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus and buffalo Syncerus caffer we found no differences in habitat use between hunted and non‐hunted areas. This may indicate that the latter species show more pronounced ecological and behavioural plasticity. Further, resource selection of bovid species on a small scale was influenced by other factors such as habitat structure, landscape characteristics, and human disturbance. This preliminary assessment of bovid habitat relationships in west Africa suggests that human hunting activities may cause species to alter their habitat selection. We therefore suggest habitat models may need to incorporate this source of variation if they are to accurately predict habitat use or distribution of a species.

Spatial associations and social interactions in a "solitary" ungulate: the bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus (Pallas).

The bushbuck population in a study area of 0.7 km2 in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, was observed between June 22 and July 30, 1971. The animals (4 male male, 10 female female, 4 immat.) were individually recognizable. Observations consisted of census sightings and longitudinal observations; during the latter location, neighbours, social encounters and other behaviour of focal animals were recorded continuously. 71% of the census sightings were of single animals. Hardly any aggression was observed, nor did the bushbuck actively avoid oneanother. The definition of the term "solitary" and possible advantages of a dispersed social system for the bushbuck are discussed.

Diets of savanna ungulates from stable carbon isotope composition of faeces

AbstractHypotheses to explain diversity among African ungulates focus largely on niche separation along a browser/grazer continuum. However, a number of studies advocate that the browser/grazer distinction insufficiently describes the full extent of dietary variation that occurs within and between taxa. Disparate classification schemes exist because of a lack of uniform and reliable data for many taxa, and failure to incorporate spatio‐temporal variations into broader assessments of diet. In this study, we tested predictions for diet and dietary niche separation of African savanna ungulates using stable carbon isotope evidence from faeces for proportions of C3 (browse) to C4 (grass) intake among 19 species from the Kruger National Park, South Africa. Dietary predictions from the literature are confirmed in the case of browsers (black rhinoceros Diceros bicornis, giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis, bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus, kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros), mixed‐feeders (impala Aepyceros melampus, nyala Tragelaphus angasii), and most grazers (white rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum, Burchell's zebra Equus burchellii, warthog Phacochoerus africanus, hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius, blue wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus, tsessebe Damaliscus lunatus, waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus). In contrast, several species showed results differing from most expectations derived from the available literature, including eland Taurotragus oryx, steenbok Raphicerus campestris, grey duiker Sylvicapra grimmia, buffalo Syncerus caffer, roan antelope Hippotragus equinus and sable antelope Hippotragus niger. Many of these discrepancies can be accounted for by seasonal and/or regional dietary differences. Cluster analysis based on a data matrix that incorporates the extent of spatio‐temporal dietary variation among Kruger Park ungulates reveals several distinct categories of feeding preferences that extend beyond a two‐edged browser/grazer dichotomy, such as mixed‐feeders with a preference for either forage class, and spatial/seasonal shifts between uniform and mixed‐feeding styles among variable browsers (e.g. grey duiker) and variable grazers (e.g. buffalo). These results highlight the need for approaches that are sensitive to spatio‐temporal variations and the continuity of diet.

Cover, food, competitorsandindividual densities within bushbuckTragelaphus scriptus female clan home ranges

We examined factors predicting female densities within the common home ranges of related females (“clans”) in bushbuckTragelaphus scriptus Pallas, 1776. In this species, each female forms an individual home range, but the home ranges of matrilineal clan members strongly overlap. We found female densities to increase in areas with high canopy cover. Moreover, individual home range sizes tended to decrease with increasing cover. Food plant availability and intruder pressure by two heterospecific competitors did not significantly affect female densities. Apparently, canopy cover is the major limited resource in this species. A possible explanation is that both adult bushbuck and — even more markedly — fawns hide from predators in dense vegetation, in particular in thicket clumps and coalescences. The study shows an effect of habitat properties (eg sufficient canopy cover) on a within-population level in bushbuck, where female densities differ even among proximate clan areas.

Scent marking and territorial defence in male bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus)

AbstractTragelaphine antelopes were often considered to lack territoriality. A recent study, however, has suggested that male bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus use the inner core of their home ranges exclusively. In this study, we examined whether males demarcate this area with an oily secretion emanating at their horn bases and cheeks (front rubbing). Furthermore, we studied aggressive interactions between adult males relative to home‐range dimension. We found that the distribution pattern of the nearest‐neighbour distances between front‐rubbing marking sites significantly differed from random distribution and was shifted towards shorter distances. This is a typical pattern for territorial marking. Further support for the idea that front rubbing serves to demarcate male territories comes from the finding that the polygons obtained from nearest‐neighbour mapping of front‐rubbing sites match best the 70% minimum convex polygon (MCP) obtained from random location fixes. The exclusively used core of male home ranges was previously found to be the area inside the 50% MCP. Furthermore, males tended to defend the area inside the 70% core most intensely; that is, won aggressive interactions prevailed in number, whereas lost interactions prevailed further outside.

Termitaria are focal feeding sites for large ungulates in Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda

AbstractIn constructing large vegetated mounds, Macrotermes termites play a key functional role in many African savanna systems. This study focuses on ungulate feeding on Macrotermes termitaria vegetation in Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda. With the exception of oribi Ourebia ourebi, all the species studied (i.e. impala Aepyceros melampus, Burchell's zebra Equus burchelli, Defassa waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus, topi Damaliscus lunatus, bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus and warthog Phacochoerus africanus) grazed preferentially on mound areas compared to the adjacent savanna. Ruminant species grazed closer to termitaria than non‐ruminants and female impala both browsed and grazed closer to mounds than males. No sexual difference in grazing distance to mounds was found for waterbuck.

Home‐range overlap and spatial organization as indicators for territoriality among male bushbuck ( Tragelaphus scriptus )

Many studies have concluded that territoriality is absent in male bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus but a minority has suggested that some exclusive mechanisms act between adult males. This study provides indirect evidence for the existence of territorial structures between adult male bushbuck by comparing home-range overlap between adult and sub-adult males. The spatial organization of individuals in relation to each other was established by using numerical classification. Location fixes of 52 males, each individual distinguished by a characteristic coat pattern, were taken over a period of 3 years. Home ranges were estimated using the fixed kernel density estimator. Two indices (coefficient of overlap, index of overlap) were applied to compare home-range overlap between the different male age classes. There was a strong home-range overlap up to the 30% home-range core between sub-adult as well as between adult and sub-adult males, while adult male home ranges overlapped up to the 50% home-range core only. It could be shown that home ranges of adult males overlapped significantly less than those of sub-adult males and those between sub-adult and adult males indicating an exclusive use of central core areas (home sites). Sub-adult males form bachelor pools without being permanently associated. With increasing age, sub-adult males challenge territory holders and replace them in order to take over their exclusive areas. These maturing sub-adult males (young adults), often focused on a particular territory holder denoting the young adults as prospects or candidates.

The influence of stand age on wildlife habitat use in exotic Teak tree Tectona grandis plantations

Tropical dry woodlands provide important natural resources for both humans and wildlife, but woodlands situated outside protected areas are vulnerable to over-exploitation. In the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania, miombo woodland is converted into teak plantations and small, private farms, but the impact of this habitat change on wildlife populations is poorly understood. We assessed the frequency of habitat use of large mammals in teak plantations of different age during the wet season. Vegetation structure varied significantly with age; older plantations had larger trees, a more extensive shrub layer and a well-developed leaf litter. Younger plantations had smaller trees and larger areas of short vegetation and bare ground. Track surveys revealed that older plantations were predominantly used by bush pig Potamochoerus larvatus, bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus and duiker (Cephalophus harveyii, C. natalensis or Sylvicarpa grimmia), whilst the younger plantations were used by open-habitat specialists such as warthog Phacochoerus africanus and waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus. Proximity to the flood plain was also found to be important and plantations nearest this area contained significantly more tracks of large grazers and bulk feeders, reflecting use by zebra Equus burchelli, buffalo Syncerus caffer and waterbuck. Areas of miombo woodland that have been converted into teak plantations provide suitable habitat for wildlife in the Kilombero Valley, but their conservation value diminishes with time. Future management should therefore aim to maintain the patchwork of miombo woodland and teak plantations in order to provide suitable habitat for a range of wildlife. Where possible, teak plantations should not be situated close to the boundary of the miombo woodland and flood plain because this habitat is an important wet season refuge for wildlife during the wet season.

The prevalence of antibody to the viruses of bovine virus diarrhoea, bovine herpes virus 1, rift valley fever, ephemeral fever and bluetongue and to Leptospira sp in free-ranging wildlife in Zimbabwe.

The prevalence of antibody to the viruses of bovine virus diarrhoea (BVD), bovine herpes virus typel (BHV1), rift valley fever (RVF), bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) and bluetongue (BT) and to Leptospira sp. was determined in wildlife populations in Zimbabwe. Evidence of infection with BVD virus was found in 14 of the 16 species examined but was greatest in eland Taurotragus oryx, nyala Tragelaphus angasi and bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus. Persistent infection with BVD virus was found in 1 of 303 antibody-free eland but not in the smaller sample of 102 antibody-free buffalo Syncerus caffer. Antibody to BHV1 was widespread, being found in 10 of 16 species with the highest prevalence being in buffalo and eland. Antibody to RVF was most prevalent in black rhino Diceros bicornis and white rhino Ceratotherium simum, buffalo and waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus. Both BEF and BT were widespread in all the species examined. Evidence of infection with Leptospira sp. was found in 7 species. Infections were due to up to 3 of 8 different serovars.

Chasse au chacal et domestication du bœuf dans le site néolithique d'Asa Koma

The Neolithic site Asa Koma fauna includes six wild mammals species together with remains of a small domestic ox (Bos taunts). Among the wild mammals the side-striped Jackal Canis cf. adustus, whose mostly burned remains show that it was eaten by Man, is the most frequent. The Dorcas Gazelle Gazella dorcas abundant too, and the Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus rather common. An Hare Lepus capensis or L. habessinicus is rare ; the Hippo Hippopotamus amphibius and an undetermined Muroid Rodent (Muridae or Gerbillidae) are very rare. Such a faunal spectrum lead us to assess : (1) tahe the economy of Asa Koma Neolithic Man was of a very uncommon kind, associating fishing, Ox husbandry and Jackal hunting ; (2) the the Neolithic environnment was much more wet than the recent one.

Mammals and problems of their conservation in the riverine forests of the Jubba Valley, southern Somalia

A study of the mammals in the riverine forests along the Jubba River in southern Somalia, was conducted between July and September 1986. Thirty-two species of mammals were recorded, although some of the mammals only use the forests seasonally. Several species were hunted in the forest, the most important being waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus Ogilby 1833, bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus Pallas 1766 and red forest duiker Cephalophus natalensis A. Smith 1834. Several species that are rare or restricted in distribution within Somalia occur in these forests, notably the bats Pipistrellus eisentrauti Hill 1968 and Nycteris parisii De Beaux 1923, leopard Panthera pardus Linnaeus 1758 and blue monkey Cercopithecus mitis Wolf 1822, as well as others whose numbers are declining, such as waterbuck and red forest duiker. The Jubba forests are therefore of considerable conservation value, particularly since they represent the largest areas of riverine forest left in Somalia. In view of the small size and rapid rate of di...

Basic haematological values in antelopes—II. the hippotraginae and the tragelaphinae

1. 1. Basic haematological values in 49 animals of five species of the subfamily Hippotraginae, namely the roan antelope Hippotragus equinus, sable antelope Hippotragus niger, adax antelope Addax nasomaculatus, gemsbok oryx Oryx gazella gazella and scimitar horned oryx Oryx damah and in 51 individuals of five species in the subfamily Tragelaphinae, including the bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus, nyala Tragelaphus angasi, greater kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros, cape eland Tautotragus oryx and bongo Bocercus euryceros are reported. 2. 2. The erythrocyte counts were in the range of 12.62 × 10 12/1 in the gemsbok oryx to 6.44 × 10 12/l in the bongo, the haematocrit values varied from 0.488 in the nyala to 0.380 in the roan antelope and for the haemoglobin highest levels (164.0 g/l) were noted in the adax antelope, and the lowest (105.5 g/l) in the bongo. 3. 3. Leukocyte counts were found mostly in the normal human range and varied from 7.17 × 10 9/l in the adax antelope to 4.05 × 10 9/l in the nyala, only in the greater kudu decreased values of 3.02 × 10 9 were estimated. 4. 4. These results are compared with findings taken from the literature, and with the normal human range.

FOOD OF CROWNED EAGLES IN THE CAPE PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

Summary Jarvis, M. J. F., Currie, M. H. & Palmer, N. G. 1980. Food of Crowned Eagles in the Cape Province, South Africa. Ostrich 51:215-218. Bones were collected from 16 nests of Crowned Eagles Polemaetus coronatus and three of these nests were observed from hides. The bone remains give some idea of the spectrum of prey animals taken and reveal differences from nest to nest. A total of 598 distinct prey animals were identified. The Rock Hyrax Procavia capensis formed 42%, Blue Duiker Cephahphus monticola 16%, juvenile Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus 12% Vervet Monkeys Cercopithecus pygerytkrus 8% and juvenile bovids 6% Although 15 out of 16 nests showed Rock Hyrax remains, Blue Duiker were found at only 10 nests and juvenile Bushbuck at nine. Juvenile bovids were mainly domestic lambs and came from 10 nests, but never comprised more than 16% of the total prey animals at any one nest. Some farmers have found ways of stopping predation on lambs without having to destroy the eagles.

Water relations of the waterbuck, an East African antelope.

ARTICLESWater relations of the waterbuck, an East African antelopeCR Taylor, CA Spinage, and CP LymanCR Taylor, CA Spinage, and CP LymanPublished Online:01 Aug 1969https://doi.org/10.1152/ajplegacy.1969.217.2.630MoreSectionsPDF (1 MB)Download PDF ToolsExport citationAdd to favoritesGet permissionsTrack citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInWeChat Previous Back to Top Download PDF FiguresReferencesRelatedInformation Cited ByComparing walking and running in persistence huntingJournal of Human Evolution, Vol. 172Population Ecology and Possible Threats to Defassa Waterbuck (Kobus Ellipsiprymnus Defassa) in the Nechsar National Park, EthiopiaInternational Journal of Zoology, Vol. 2022Seasonality and Oldowan behavioral variability in East AfricaJournal of Human Evolution, Vol. 164Intake, digestibility, water balance, ruminal dynamics, and blood parameters in sheep fed diets containing extra-fat whole corn germAnimal Feed Science and Technology, Vol. 285Ecological and behavioral mechanisms of density‐dependent habitat expansion in a recovering African ungulate population23 August 2021 | Ecological Monographs, Vol. 91, No. 4Fermentation profile and nutritional quality of silages composed of cactus pear and maniçoba for goat feeding6 August 2020 | The Journal of Agricultural Science, Vol. 158, No. 4Impact of water restriction periods on carcass traits and meat quality of feedlot lambs in the Brazilian semi-arid regionMeat Science, Vol. 156Comparative analyses of basal rate of metabolism in mammals: data selection does matter27 July 2017 | Biological Reviews, Vol. 93, No. 1Missing in action: Species competition is a neglected predictor variable in species distribution modelling14 July 2017 | PLOS ONE, Vol. 12, No. 7The influence of thermal tolerances on geographical ranges of endotherms24 March 2017 | Global Ecology and Biogeography, Vol. 26, No. 6Climate influences thermal balance and water use in African and Asian elephants: physiology can predict drivers of elephant distribution10 July 2013 | Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol. 216, No. 15Stable Carbon Isotope Analysis of the Diets of West African Bovids in Pendjari Biosphere Reserve, Northern BeninSouth African Journal of Wildlife Research, Vol. 43, No. 1Bulk and intra-tooth enamel stable isotopes of waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus from Queen Elizabeth National Park, UgandaAfrican Journal of Ecology, Vol. 46, No. 4Hybridization between subspecies of waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) in zones of overlap with limited introgression14 August 2006 | Molecular Ecology, Vol. 15, No. 12Mechanisms of Thermoregulation and Water Balance in Desert UngulatesWildlife Society Bulletin, Vol. 34, No. 3Cover, food, competitorsandindividual densities within bushbuckTragelaphus scriptus female clan home rangesActa Theriologica, Vol. 51, No. 3Water balance in goats subjected to feed restrictionSmall Ruminant Research, Vol. 63, No. 1-2Seasonal variation in energy expenditure, water flux and food consumption of Arabian oryx Oryx leucoryxJournal of Experimental Biology, Vol. 204, No. 13Dependency of surface temperature regulation on body size in terrestrial mammalsJournal of Thermal Biology, Vol. 20, No. 3Dimensions of the intestine, diet and faecal water loss in some African antelopeJournal of Zoology, Vol. 229, No. 3Food habits and the basal rate of metabolism in birdsOecologia, Vol. 77, No. 3Some effects of water deprivation on dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas) in the SudanComparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology, Vol. 90, No. 2Physiology of the dik-dik antelopeComparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology, Vol. 91, No. 1On the relation between basal and maximum metabolic rate in mammalsComparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology, Vol. 87, No. 1Basal metabolic rates in mammals: Taxonomic differences in the allometry of BMR and body massComparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology, Vol. 81, No. 4Seasonal influences and the kidney fat index in two equatorial African ungulatesAfrican Journal of Ecology, Vol. 22, No. 3Relationship among body mass, metabolic rate and the intrinsic rate of natural increase in mammalsOecologia, Vol. 56, No. 1Condition and mortality of waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) in the Umfolozi Game ReserveAfrican Journal of Ecology, Vol. 20, No. 2Factors Influencing the Consumption of Plant Products by Large HerbivoresReferencesMammalsThe comparative energetics of neotropical marsupialsJournal of Comparative Physiology B, Vol. 125, No. 2Utilization of waterholes in Tsavo National Park (East)African Journal of Ecology, Vol. 13, No. 3-4The Nuffield Unit of Tropical Animal Ecology (1961–1971)20 August 2009 | Journal of Zoology, Vol. 173, No. 4The water metabolism of a small East African antelope: the dik-dik1 January 1997 | Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B. Biological Sciences, Vol. 184, No. 1075Water metabolism of East African ruminants in arid and semi-arid regions126 April 2010 | Zeitschrift für Tierzüchtung und Züchtungsbiologie, Vol. 90, No. 1-4A comparative study of transepidermal water loss through the skin of various animalsComparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology, Vol. 43, No. 4A BIBLIOGRAPHY RELATING TO THE ECOLOGY AND ENERGETICS OF EAST AFRICAN LARGE MAMMALSAfrican Journal of Ecology, Vol. 9, No. 1UNGULATES More from this issue > Volume 217Issue 2August 1969Pages 630-634 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1969 by American Physiological Societyhttps://doi.org/10.1152/ajplegacy.1969.217.2.630PubMed5799396History Published online 1 August 1969 Published in print 1 August 1969 Metrics