 Cephalophus niger
Black duiker |
Taxonomy | Description
| Reproduction | Ecology
| Behavior | Distribution
| Conservation | Remarks
| Literature |
| Taxonomy
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Cephalophus niger [Gray, 1846].
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Citation: Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., [ser. 1], 18:165.
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Type locality: "Guinea Coast" (Ghana).
The initial taxonomic record (above) is taken from Wilson and Reeder (1993).
C. niger is monotypic (has no subspecies), and is included in
the subgenus Cephalophorus [Gray, 1892] (Wilson, 1987; Nowak, 1991).
C. pluto is an invalid synonym for C. niger (Wilson and
Reeder; 1993).
General Characteristics
C. niger is a heavily built duiker, with a long body and short, stocky
legs (Kingdon, 1997). Body weights for black duiker range from 9-24
kg, with an average value of 15-20 kg (Walther, 1990). Body length
is 80-100 cm, and shoulder height is about 50 cm (Kingdon, 1997).
Reported measurements for black duiker (Cephalophus niger) |
| Source |
Adult Weight |
Head & Body Length |
Shoulder Height
|
Tail Length |
| Happold, 1987 |
9-16 kg |
80 cm |
51 cm |
12 cm |
| Kingdon, 1997 |
16-24 kg |
80-100 cm |
45-55 cm |
7-14 cm |
| Walther, 1990 |
15-20 kg |
80-90 cm |
45-50 cm |
12-14 cm |
| Wilson, 1987 |
15-20 kg |
80-90 cm |
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12-14 cm |
As its name suggests, the black duiker is covered with soft glossy black
or brownish-black pelage (Happold, 1987; Kingdon, 1997). The hairs
of the coat are longer than in most duikers, although this is difficult to
observe on living animals as they lie smoothly against the body (Happold,
1987). The ventral pelage is slightly lighter than that on the back,
and there may be a rusty orange patch between the forelegs (Happold, 1973;
Happold, 1987). The tail is short - approximately 12 cm in length -
with the black pelage on upper surface contrasting strikingly with the white
underside (Happold, 1987; Kingdon, 1997).
The relatively long head is black in color, with a rufous-orange forehead
and coronal tuft (Happold, 1987; Kingdon, 1997). From the black of
the body, the pelage pales to light grey around the throat and chin, forming
a 'bib'. (Kingdon, 1997). The same light grey is also found inside
the ears, the backs of which are black (Kingdon, 1997). Kingdon
(1997) describes the nostrils as "swollen".
The straight, pointed horns are usually present in both sexes, although they
may be hidden within the forelock (Happold, 1987; Kingdon, 1997). Horn
length is given by Happold (1973) as as 8 cm, although Walther (1990) reports
that those of males may grow 7.5 to 17.5 cm in length. Typical of most
bovids, the horns of females are much smaller, growing 2.5 - 3 cm long in
females of C. niger (Walther, 1990).
Ontogeny and Reproduction
Most data regarding the reproduction of this species comes from studies of
captive individuals. In the wild, a young individual was found in May,
suggesting that at least some births occur during the late dry season or
early part of wet season (Happold, 1987). A gestation period of 126
days was recorded at the Gladys Porter Zoo (Farst et al., 1980).
The interval between births at the Los Angeles Zoo is, on average,
7.5 months (Barnes et al., 2002).
At birth, captive black duikers weigh 1.42-2.18 kg, with virtually no difference
between the sexes (Barnes et al., 2002). Within the first 8-10
days, body weight rises to 1.65-3.20 kg, and by one month the birth weight
has at least doubled to 2.75-4.00 kg, with males being generally larger than
females at this time (Barnes et al., 2002). At 46 days, a male
duiker weighing 1.85 kg at birth had increased in size to 5.9 kg (Barnes
et al., 2002). At 5.5 months of age a young female (birth weight
= 1.70 kg) weighed 15.40 kg, while another female (birth weight = 1.80 kg)
weighed 17.25 kg after 6 months (Barnes et al., 2002).
Hand-raised individuals at the Los Angeles Zoo are usually weaned at around
95 days of age (Barnes et al., 2002). Captive individuals have
lived for over 11 years (Barnes et al., 2002).
Ecology and Behavior
Cephalophus niger is very common in secondary forests (Newing, 2001).
Throughout its range, this species is found primarily in lowland rainforest
habitats, although individuals have been observed in riverine galleries,
isolated forest patches, and semi-deciduous forests at the margins of the
species' range (Happold, 1987; Wilson, 1987; Newing, 2001). Part of
the reason for the relative abundance of the black duiker may be its ability
to colonize forest fragments found amongst mixed farmland (Newing, 2001).
The black duiker is seldom seen, and few studies have been conducted on its
ecology and behavior (Happold, 1987). Happold (1973; 1987) reports
that C. niger is mostly nocturnal, while Kingdon (1997) and Newing
(2001) both state that this species is diurnal. In observing five captive
black duikers at the Monrovia Zoo in Liberia, Newing (2001) found 64% of
the day (0630-1800 hours) was spent active, while in only 24% of the nighttime
hours (1830-0600 hours) were spent up and about (n = 260 observations).
Kingdon (1997) reports that this species is territorial in the wild,
and it appears that this the black duiker is solitary by nature (Happold,
1987). According to Happold (1987), the black duiker is ecologically
similar to Maxwell's duiker (Cephalophus maxwelli), while Kingdon
(1997) suggests that it may fill a niche in Upper Guinean rainforests similar
to that played by Peter's duiker (Cephalophus callipygus) in
Central Africa (Kingdon, 1997).
C. niger feeds on fallen fruits and flowers, leaves and herbs, and
is presumed to be dependent on year-round fruit fall like many other large
duikers (Happold, 1987; Kingdon, 1997). Potential food sources
are limited by size - a captive individual could break items no more than
6 cm in diameter with its mouth (Newing, 2001).
Distribution
From Kindia near the Guinea/Sierra Leone border eastwards to the lower Niger
River (Wilson, 1987).
Countries: Benin? [RE?], Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia,
Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo (IUCN, 2002).
Range Map (Redrawn from IEA, 1998)
Conservation Status
The black duiker is classified as a low risk, near threatened species by
the IUCN (2002) and is not listed by CITES. The major threat to survival
is continued heavy hunting for the bushmeat trade (IUCN, 2002). Current
population levels are estimated at 100,000 individuals, and there is a general
decline in black duiker numbers across its range (East, 1999).
Remarks
Duiker ("DIKE-er") is Afrikaans for "diver", a name which is derived from
this antelope's habit of diving into the undergrowth when alarmed.
Kephale (Greek) the head; lophus (Greek) a crest: referring
to the tuft on the head. Niger (Latin) black, dark coloured.
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Local names (from Happold, 1973)
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Tuba [Dyula]
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French
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Céphalophe noir (Kingdon, 1997)
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German
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Schwarzducker (Kingdon, 1997)
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Literature
Cited
Barnes, R., K. Greene, J. Holland, and M. Lamm. 2002. Management
and husbandry of duikers at the Los Angeles Zoo. Zoo Biology; 21(2):
107-121.
East, R. [compiler]. 1999. African Antelope Database 1998. IUCN/SSC Antelope
Specialist Group. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN.
Farst, D. D., D. P. Thompson, G. A. Stones, P. M. Burchfield, and M. L. Hughes.
1980. Maintenance and breeding of duikers (Cephalophus
spp.) at Gladys Porter Zoo, Brownsville. International Zoo Yearbook
20: 93-99.
Happold, D. C. D. 1973. Large Mammals of West Africa. London:
Longman Group, Ltd.
Happold, D. C. D. 1987. The Mammals of Nigeria. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
IEA (Institute of Applied Ecology) 1998. Cephalophus niger.
In African Mammals Databank - A Databank for the Conservation
and Management of the African Mammals Vol 1 and 2. Bruxelles: European
Commission Directorate. Available online at
http://gorilla.bio.uniroma1.it/amd/amd054b.html
IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources).
2002. 2002 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Available
online at http://www.redlist.org/
Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals. Academic
Press, London and New York: NaturalWorld.
Newing, H. 2001. Bushmeat hunting and management: implications
on duiker ecology and interspecific competition. Biodiversity and
Conservation 10(1): 99-108.
Walther, F. R. 1990. Duikers and Dwarf Antelopes.
In Grzimek's Encyclopedia of Mammals. Edited by S.
P. Parker. New York: McGraw-Hill. pp. 325-343.
Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder [editors]. 1993. Mammal Species of the World
(Second Edition). Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press.
Available online at
http://nmnhwww.si.edu/msw/
Wilson, V. J. [compiler] 1987. Action plan for duiker conservation -
IUCN/SSC Antelope Specialist Group and Chipangali Wildlife Trust.
Additional Resources
Bowman, V., and A. B. Plowman. 2002. Captive duiker management
at the Duiker and Mini-Antelope Breeding and Research Institute (Dambari),
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Zoo Biology; 21(2): 161-170.
Coe, M. J. 1975. Mammalian ecological studies on Mount Nimba,
Liberia. Mammalia; 39: 523-581.
East R. [editor]. 1990. Antelopes Global Survey and Regional
Action Plans. Part 3: West and Central Africa. IUCN/SSC Antelope Specialist
Group.
East R. [editor]. 1996. Antelope survey update. IUCN/SSC Antelope
Specialist Group: n° 2.
Eves, H. 2000. Duikers: A primary target for Africa's bushmeat trade.
Animal Keepers' Forum 27(11): 497-505.
Haltenorth, T., and H. Diller. 1980. The Collins Field Guide
to the Mammals of Africa including Madagascar. Lexington, MA: The Stephen
Greene Press.
Hofmann, T., and H. Roth. 2003. Feeding preferences of duiker
(Cephalophus maxwelli, C. rufilatus, and C. niger) in
Ivory Coast and Ghana. Mammalian Biology 68(2): 65-77
Meester, J., and H. W. Setzer [editors]. 1971. The Mammals of
Africa: an Identification Manual. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution
Press.
Plowman, A. B. 2002. Nutrient intake and apparent digestibility
of diets consumed by captive duikers at the Dambari Field Station, Zimbabwe.
Zoo Biology; 21(2): 135-147.
Steinhauer, B. B. 1987. Count and distribution of large mammals
of Comoe National Park, Ivory Coast: Notes on the size of the troops and
their reproductive seasons. Mammalia; 51(2): 283-304.
van Vuuren, B. J., and T. J. Robinson. 2001. Retrieval of four
adaptive lineages in duiker antelope: Evidence from mitochondrial DNA sequences
and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Molecular Phylogenetics and
Evolution 20(3): 409-425.
Wilson, V. J., and B. L. P. Wilson. 1990. Notes on the duikers
of Sierra Leone. Arnoldia-Zimbabwe 9(33): 451-462.
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