Roan Antelope Research Articles

The wounded roan: a contribution to the relation of hunting and trance in southern African rock art

A 1934 photograph of a man dressed in an animal skin and a painting of three figures in a cave at Melikane, Lesotho led to a new hypothesis about the role of the roan antelope in both the economy and beliefs of early Africa. The author shows that not only art, but language too, may reach back to a time when the need for food first began to find expression in ritual.

Roan (Hippotragus equinus) population decline in Kruger National Park, South Africa: influence of a wetland boundary

Effective management of grazers requires understanding of the mechanisms influencing population declines. Roan antelope, a specialist grazer, has declined in population numbers within Kruger National Park, South Africa. The most widely accepted hypothesis is that habitat deterioration throughout the entire northern plains landscape is responsible for declines in this species. Observations suggest, however, that on the northern plains of Kruger National Park, roan antelope grazes at the boundary between ephemeral wetland and the savanna matrix. The boundary is characterized by nutrient-rich soil and forage, and thus attracts grazing from both generalist and specialist species. We hypothesize that competition for resources at this ecotone, and not at other places in the landscape, is responsible for the observed declines in roan antelope. Changing management strategies to be more cognizant of patchiness and savanna heterogeneity, i.e. more spatially informed, will improve the likelihood that management will result in increasing roan population numbers.

Studies on the genus <i>Setaria Viborg<i/>, 1795 in South Africa. III. <i>Setaria thwaitei<i/> Mönnig, 1933

Mönnig (1933) described Setaria thwaitei from a sable antelope, Hippotragus niger, the type host, as well as from roan antelope, Hippotragus equinus, and waterbuck, Kobus ellipsiprymnus. Yeh (1959) considered Setaria thwaitei to be synonym of Setaria hornbyi. Material collected from roan antelopes, sable antelopes and gemsbuck, Oryx gazella, from several localities in the north and south of South Africa, together with Mönnig's (1933) material, were re-examined. Measurements of the adult worms obtained in this study were compared with those in the original description of the species. Scanning electron microscopy of the anterior and posterior regions of the female worms confirmed S. thwaitei as a valid species.

Viability of a diminishing roan antelope population: predation is the threat

AbstractThe roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus) population inhabiting the Kruger National Park, South Africa, declined from 450 animals in 1986 to around 25 free‐ranging animals subsequent to 1994. A computer simulation model was developed to: (1) evaluate likely contributions of low rainfall, habitat deterioration, population fragmentation and predation to the observed population decline; (2) project future likelihood of persistence of the population remnant, under various scenarios. Direct consequences of severe drought and habitat deterioration alone were inadequate to explain the observed decline, unless effects were more severe than assumed in the model. An increased predation loss to around 30% per year was needed. Persistence probability over 50 years was less than 0.5 if the predation loss remained above 20% per year. Models that take into account only stochastic uncertainty in demography and environmental variability are of limited reliability if potential changes in predation risk are not also accommodated.

Challenges faced in the conservation of rare antelope: a case study on the northern basalt plains of the Kruger National Park

The conservation of rare antelope has long been one of the goals of the Kruger National Park. The roan antelope Hippotragus equinus, and to a lesser extent the tsessebe Damaliscus lunatus, represent low-density species or rare antelope in the park. Specific management approaches representing the older equilibrium approach, have been employed to conserve these antelope. Of these, the supply of artificial water over many decades was the most resource intensive. The sudden, severe drop in the roan antelope population towards the end of the 1980s was unexpected and, retrospectively, attributed to the development of a high density of perennial waterpoints. The postulated mechanism was that the perennial presence of water allowed Burchell’s zebra Equus burchelli to stay permanently in an area that was previously only seasonally accessible. The combined effect of a long, dry climatic cycle, high numbers of zebra and their associated predators was proposed to be the cause of this decline. As part of the new nature evolving or ecosystem resilience approach, twelve artificial waterpoints were closed in the prime roan antelope habitat in 1994 in an attempt to move the zebra out of this area. The zebra numbers declined as the rainfall increased. Closure of waterholes clearly led to redistribution of zebra numbers on the northern plains, zebra tending to avoid areas within several kilometres of closed waterpoints. However, at a larger scale, regional densities appeared similar in areas with and without closed waterpoints. There was an initial drop in the lion numbers in 1995, after which they stabilised. In spite of an improvement in the grass species composition and an increase in biomass the roan antelope population did not increase. The complexity of maintaining a population at the edge of their distribution and the problems associated with the conservation of such populations are discussed in terms of management options and monitoring approaches that may be employed in this process.

Genesis: Ideas of Origin in African Sculpture

Pondering the origins of the world and their own ancestry, African societies often sought to provide answers to these and other perplexing concepts in their oral traditions, poetry and art. The Bamana people of Mali, for example, attributed the invention of agriculture and their understanding of the earth, animals and plants to a mythical hero called Chi Wara, shown in sculptural form as a roan antelope. The elegant Chi Wara headdresses were created in wood in male-female pairs and worn during agricultural ceremonies. This volume examines the Chi Wara headdress as an icon of African sculpture and presents 40 examples of this well-known form. Major artistic traditions in other African societies - including the Dogon of Mali; the Yoruba of Nigeria; the Bwa, Bobo, Kurumba and Mossi of Burkina Faso; the Kuba and Luba of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and the Chokwe of Angola and Zambia - are also discussed in terms of the distinctive cultural perspectives and local traditions that inspired them. The masterworks featured and analyzed are drawn from public and private collections in the United States.

Gamma herpesvirus carrier status of captive artiodactyls

Between 1998 and 2000, 103 individuals of 19 species of the order Artiodactyla at Whipsnade Wild Animal Park were tested for evidence of infection with gamma herpesviruses in order to distinguish between species which are susceptible to malignant catarrhal fever (MCF), caused by alcelaphine herpesvirus-1 (AlHV-1) of wildebeest ( Connochaetes sp.) or ovine herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2) of domestic sheep, and species which carry related viruses sub-clinically. Gamma herpesvirus DNA was detected in the known, or suspected, carrier species: roan antelope ( Hippotragus equinus), scimitar-horned oryx ( Oryx dammah), gemsbok ( Oryx gazella), musk ox ( Ovibos muschatus) and mouflon ( Ovis musimon). In six other species: lowland anoa ( Bubalus depressicornis) yak ( Bos grunniens), sitatunga ( Tragelaphus spekei), greater kudu ( Tragelaphus strepsiceros), waterbuck ( Kobus ellipsiprymnus) and Nile lechwe ( Kobus megaceros), DNA was present in some newborn calves and over 30% of adults, strongly suggesting a carrier state. In contrast five Père David's deer ( Elaphurus davidianus) and two swamp deer ( Cervus duvauceli) died of MCF during the study. A virus isolated from scimitar-horned oryx calves produced cytopathic effects in scimitar-horned oryx kidney cell-culture and caused MCF in a rabbit.

A draft habitat suitability model for roan antelope in the Nylsvley Nature Reserve, South Africa

A draft habitat suitability model for roan antelope in the Nylsvley Nature Reserve, South Africa

Anaesthesia of roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus) with a combination of A3080, medetomidine and ketamine.

A dose range was determined for anaesthesia of 20 recently boma-captured roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus) with the synthetic opiate A3080 combined with medetomidine and ketamine. A dose of 10-30 micro/kg A3080 (x = 20+/-8 microg/kg) combined with 5-21 microg/kg medetomidine (x = 13+/-7 microg/kg) plus 0.29-1.11 mg/kg ketamine (x = 0.71+/-0.24 mg/kg) was found to be safe and effective for the field conditions in this study. The anaesthesia produced by this drug combination was predictable and characterised by a short induction time, good muscle relaxation, and acceptable physiological parameters for anaesthesia periods ranging from 49-103 min (x = 64+/-19 min). The wide range (3-4-fold) of doses with acceptable results is also an indication that this drug combination has a wide margin of safety in roan antelope, making it desirable for field use. When 2 dose levels (2-3-fold dif ference) were retrospectively evaluated, no statistical difference was found in induction times, and no observable clinical differences in the anaesthetic episodes were seen. Based on this study, the recommended dose range in roan antelope for this combination is 10-13 microg/kg A3080, 5-6 microg/kg medetomidine and 0.3-0.6 mg/kg ketamine. The anaesthesia produced by this combination was rapidly and completely reversed by i.m. or i.v. injections of naltrexone at 30 times the A3080 dose (x = 0.60+/-0.25 mg/kg) and atipamezole at 3 times the medetomidine dose (x = 38+/-20 microg/kg). No residual effects from ketamine were noted following reversal of A3080 and medetomidine. No mortality was associated with this protocol.

Susceptibility and Carrier Status of Impala, Sable, and Tsessebe for Cowdria ruminantium Infection (Heartwater)

Three species of wild African ruminants, impala (Aepyceros melampus), sable (Hippotragus equinus), and tsessebe (Damaliscus lunatus), were experimentally inoculated with in vitro culture-derived Cowdria ruminantium organisms, the tick-borne causative agent of heartwater in domestic ruminants, to determine their susceptibility to infection. No clinical disease was observed in any of the ruminants. However, C. ruminantium was detected in the sable by the transmission of heartwater to susceptible sheep, through the tick vector Amblyomma hebraeum, at 10 and 37 days postinfection (PI). Attempts to detect infection in the impala and tsessebe by tick transmission at 54 days PI failed. The impala and tsessebe were reinoculated with C. ruminantium organisms at 146 days after the first inoculation; however, a tick transmission attempt at 66 days after the reinoculation also failed. Seroconversion, as detected by immunoblotting, was demonstrated in the sable and the tsessebe but not in the impala. The results demonstrate that sable can be carriers of C. ruminantium. The susceptibility of tsessebe and impala, however, remains undetermined.

Establishing the causes of the roan antelope decline in the Kruger National Park, South Africa

Between 1986 and 1993, the roan antelope Hippotragus equinus population in the Kruger National Park, South Africa, declined from about 450 to ca.45 animals. Data from long term monitoring of herbivore numbers, sex, age and herd structure and of vegetation condition, supported by spatial and demographic modelling and predator sighting records, were used to evaluate potential causes of the population decrease, including: (1) competition from zebra and wildebeest, which moved into the roan’s range after the introduction of waterpoints; (2) increased predation following the influx of zebra and wildebeest; (3) habitat deterioration due to an extended period of low rainfall; (4) outbreaks of the disease anthrax; and (5) stress associated with immunisation against anthrax. Evidence did not support the latter two causes. Drought alone was inadequate as an explanation, although progressive desiccation over a sequence of low rainfall years, and resultant grassland deterioration, may have been contributory. Grassland recovery may have been suppressed by grazing pressure from zebra and wildebeest. The population crash was associated with an increase in adult mortality, but little apparent change in calf survival, suggesting that nutritional factors were not the prime cause. Increased predation on adult roan due to a build-up in lion numbers, following the zebra and wildebeest influx, seemed to be the proximate cause of the initial sharp decline in the roan population. However, the ultimate cause was the provision of numerous artificial waterpoints in the roan range, which attracted the influx of zebra and wildebeest, particularly during drought conditions. Following the closure of waterpoints in a section of the roan range, the roan herds in the vicinity are recovering. Deficiencies in current monitoring programmes in the Kruger Park are identified.

Mitochondrial DNA population structure of roan and sable antelope: implications for the translocation and conservation of the species.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences were analysed to determine the geographical genetic structure of Hippotragus niger (sable antelope) and H. equinus (roan antelope). Analyses by AMOVA, minimum evolution networks, parsimony, neighbour joining and maximum likelihood show that the roan antelope populations are geographically partitioned and that their phylogeography corresponds well with subspecific boundaries. In sharp contrast, however, our sequence data group all the sable antelope into two well-delineated maternal clades. One comprising specimens from the strictly east African H.n. roosevelti, and a second geographically diverse group which includes H.n. niger (South Africa, Zimbabwe), H.n. variani (Angola), and H.n. Kirkii (Zambia, Malawi). The differences in the genetic population structure suggest that distinct extrinsic and intrinsic factors have shaped the phylogeography of these two closely related antelope species. In the absence of obvious extrinsic barriers to gene flow, we suggest that behavioural differences may be responsible, at least in part, for the contrasting spatial patterns detected among geographical localities. Although our data reflect only the maternal phylogeny of these important game species, they nonetheless suggest that different management strategies should be applied. We recommend that roan antelope be translocated only within the currently defined subspecies boundaries, while in the case of sable antelope, conservation measures should focus on preserving the genetic integrity of the east African and southern African sable populations. Implicit in this is that translocations of animals between populations comprising these two distinct maternal genetic clades should be actively discouraged.

Seasonal selection of soil types and grass swards by roan antelope in a South African savanna

Roan antelope are distributed mainly in regions characterized by infertile soils, offering food of low quality. We hypothesized that roan may select localities with higher soil nutrient levels and/or grass swards with more favourable properties in terms of food abundance or quality than generally available in those regions. Roan antelope were observed in a savanna region in South Africa where soils of widely varying nutrient status occurred. Roan favoured open grassland over wooded savanna areas. During the wet season, roan preferred sites with felsite‐derived soil of intermediate soil nutrient status. Grasslands growing on nutrient enriched alluvial soils were preferred outside of the early wet season, although most of the favourable sward characteristics were present in other landscape units. Food quantity, rather than quality appeared to attract roan to foraging sites in the late wet and early dry seasons. Food quality appeared more important in the early wet and late dry seasons. The higher degree of clustering of leafy material within foraging swards seemed to be an additional discriminating factor. The factors governing the selection of foraging sites by roan did not seem notably different from those influencing other species of grazing ruminant, but roan nevertheless seemed tolerant of stemmy grasslands growing on nutrient richer substrates.

Diets of Hartebeest and Roan Antelope in Burkina Faso: Support of the Long-Faced Hypothesis

Diets of hartebeest ( Alcelaphus buselaphus ) and roan antelope ( Hippotragus equinus ) were assessed at the Nazinga Game Ranch in southern Burkina Faso, West Africa. Microhistological analysis of feces indicated that dietary overlap was high during the rainy ( X = 73.7%) and cool-dry (68.2%) seasons, low during the hot-dry season (48.2%), and lowest during the last month of the hot-dry season (31.5%). As the hot-dry season progressed and food presumably became less available, diets of the two antelopes diverged. Hartebeest maintained a high percentage of grass in their diet, but roan antelope switched from being predominantly grazers (>95% grass) to mixed feeders (<50% grass). As grass feeders, both antelopes have skeletal features that facilitate acquisition and grinding of highly fibrous diets, but 11 of 12 mass-relative indices of the skull morphology of hartebeest exceeded those of roan antelope. Because of those differences in skull morphology, and in keeping with the “long-faced” hypothesis, hartebeest were apparently more capable than roan antelope of acquiring and masticating scarce regrowth of perennial grasses when availability of forage was lowest. Such divergence within a single foraging class of African bovids, such as grass feeders, should reduce competition and perpetuate coexistence.

Evaluating population persistence of censused and unmanaged herbivore populations from the Kruger National Park, South Africa

The application of the Dennis et al. ( Ecol. Monogr., 61, 1991) model to data from 12 herbivore populations from the Kruger National Park, South Africa, introduces ‘risk assessment’ procedures into the conservation management of free-ranging species. The model enables one to predict the probability of reaching an arbitrarily defined threshold population size using census figures from censused and unmanaged populations. It also provides an objective evaluation of population persistence based on past performance. Of the 12 species investigated, five (impala Aepyceros melampus, blue wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus, zebra Equus burchelli, white rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum, giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis) appear to be secure, four (kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros, waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus, warthog Phacochoerus aethiopicus, sable antelope Hippotragus niger) are vulnerable and three species (tsessebe Damaliscus lunatus, eland Taurotragus oryx, roan antelope Hippotragus equinus) are at risk of declining by an order of magnitude within 100 years. Therefore, within data limitations, the KNP appears not to offer sufficient suitable habitat for a number of herbivore species despite its considerable size, and a metapopulation approach may be required for the effective conservation of some species. The model also allows the principle of ‘complementarity’ to be extended beyond that of species composition. Objective evaluations of population persistence, of censused and unmanaged populations, as demonstrated here, mean that the principle of ‘population viability’ can help the design of efficient regional reserve networks.

Absence of geographic chromosomal variation in the roan and sable antelope and the cytogenetics of a naturally occurring hybrid.

The determination of geographic chromosomal variation in rare or endangered species, or those of special management concern, is important, since geographically defined cytotypes can negatively influence breeding programs involving founders drawn from widely divergent localities. We cytogenetically analyzed specimens of the roan (Hippotragus equinus) and sable antelope (H. niger) collected from widely divergent localities throughout their respective ranges. Each species was characterized by a diploid number of 60 and an invariant karyotype. In contrast to the absence of intraspecific variation, however, the two species differ with respect to centromeric constitutive heterochromatin and numbers of nucleolar organizer regions. These cytogenetic landmarks were subsequently used to verify an anecdotal account of a naturally occurring roan x sable hybrid. The data show that, despite their markedly distinct phenotypes, the roan and sable antelope are nonetheless sufficiently similar genetically to produce viable offspring. Hybridization, although a rare event between these species, is probably partly promoted by behavioral differences which are not always sufficient to prevent mating between them.

Etude épidémiologique sur la fièvre catarrhale du mouton chez les ovins, bovins et différentes espèces d'animaux sauvages en Côte d'Ivoire

Between 1992 and 1993, a serological survey was conducted in Côte d'Ivoire on 623 sera from sheep, 215 sera from cattle and 211 sera from wild herbivores. These sera were tested for bluetongue virus (BTV) antibodies using an agar gel immunodiffusion test. The purpose of this survey was twofold: to establish the incidence of bluetongue in the country, and to analyse the putative role of BTV in the reproductive pathology of sheep. Seroprevalence was 52 +/- 4% in sheep, 95 +/- 3% in cattle, and 56 +/- 7% in wild herbivores. The authors found antibodies against BTV in kob (Kobus kob Erxleben, 1777), common waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus Ogilby, 1833), roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus Desmarest, 1804), buffalo (Syncerus caffer Sparrman, 1779), hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus Pallas, 1766) and elephant (Loxodonta africana Blumenbach, 1797). A significant difference was found in seroprevalence in sheep between the three areas covered by the survey. Antibody prevalence increased significantly with age in sheep and wild herbivores, and seroprevalence was higher in dams with a history of abortion. It can therefore be concluded that bluetongue is enzootic in Côte d'Ivoire.

Blood Serum Biochemical Values of Neonatal Antelopes of the Subfamilies Reduncinae and Hippotraginae

V Aha1a J., F. Kale: Blood Serum Biochemical Values of Neonatal Antelopes of the Subfamilies Reduncinae and Hippotraginae. Acta vet. Bmo, 63, 1994: 109-113. Values of 17 blood serum biochemical indicators obtained in 1to4-day old antelopes of 10 species of the Subfamilies Reduncinae andHippotraginae kept in the Zoological Garden at DvQr Kd10v6 are reported. Interspecies differences in the values were more pronounced in the Hippotraginae than in the Reduncinae. The values recorded for the neonatal antelopes were compared with the published data on adult animals of the same species kept in the Zoological Garden at DvQr Kdlov6. Antelopes, neonates, captivity, blood serum, biochemistry. Blood serum biochemical values of captive antelopes have received little attention to date. The present study reports the values obtained in neonatal antelopes of 10 species of the subfamilies Reduncinae and Hippotraginae, namely, mountain reedbucks (Reduncafulvorufula), Lady Grey's waterbucks (Kobus megaceros), lechwe waterbucks (Kobus leche), defassa waterbucks (Kobus ellipsiprymnus defassa), common waterbucks (Kobus ellipsiprymnus ellipsiprymnus), roan antelopes (Hippotragus equinus), sable antelopes (Hippotragus niger), addax (Addax nasomaculatus), scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah), gemsboks (Oryx gazella gazella) in the Zoological GarI den at DvQr KIilov6 during the period 1982 to 1990. I Materials and Methods Blood samples were withdrawn from the vena jugularis of manually restrained clinically healthy 1to 4-day old antelopes on the occasion of preventive measures throughout the year. Included in the study were only those neonates that developed no disease during the following 14 days. Basic information on animals of the individual species are presented in Table 1. The blood samples were collected into glass test-tubes and allowed to stand at room temperature. The samples were forwarded to the laboratory for processing within 60 minutes of collection. The bloodserum biochemical values weredeteImined with methods usedroutinely in clinical practice (pos pi m et al.1987). Means (x) and standard deviations (S.D.) were computed from the values obtained for each species regardless of sex. The significance of the differences between the species was analysed using Student's t -test separately for each subfamily.

The anatomy of the omasum of some Zambian game species.

The gross anatomy of the omasum of 11 different Zambian game species are described. These include Roan Antelope, Sable Antelope, Wildebeest, Kudu, Kafue Lechwe, Puku, Reedbuck, Impala, Bushbuck, Oribi and Duiker. Lamellar area and papilla density and shape are reported.

Genetic diversity and differentiation of the three extant Southern African species of the subfamily Hippotraginae (family: Bovidae)

Protein gel-electrophoresis was used to assess genetic variability and allozyme divergence of the three species of the Hippotraginae from southern Africa. We stained for 18 protein coding loci, of which five displayed allelic polymorphism. Average heterozygosity ranged from 3.78% in sable antelope ( Hippotragus niger) to 2.27% in gemsbok ( Oryx gazella) and 1.86% in roan antelope ( H. equines). Relative gene diversities were higher between (64.73%) rather than within (35.27%) populations, as expected for separate species. Genetic distances were determined following the methods of Nei (1972, American Naturalist 106, 283–292) and Hillis (1984, Systematic Zoology 33, 238–240). Values obtained using the latter method depicted known phylogenetic relationships more accurately when compared to clusters obtained using Nei's (1972) method. The results obtained are discussed with specific reference to the influence of population history on current levels of genetic variability and the suitability of various measures of genetic distance distance to interspecific electrophoretic studies.