 Gazella
cuvieri
Cuvier's gazelle, Edmi gazelle |
Taxonomy | Description
| Reproduction | Ecology
| Behavior | Distribution
| Conservation | Remarks
| Literature |
| Taxonomy
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Gazella cuvieri [Ogilby, 1841].
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Citation: Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1840:35 [1841].
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Type locality: Morocco, Mogador.
The taxonomic record (above) is taken from Wilson and Reeder (1993).
Cuvier's gazelle is part of the subgenus Gazella,
although some authors consider it to be in a group by itself, or allied
with G. leptoceros and G. subgutturosa (subgenus Trachelocele)
(see Wilson and Reeder, 1993; Groves, 2000). Cuvier's gazelle, while
treated as a full species here, is sometimes listed as a subspecies of the
mountain gazelle, G. gazella (see Wilson and Reeder, 1993). This
gazelle is presently considered to be monotypic, although genetic differences
between populations have not been studied (de Smet, 1991). Invalid
synonyms for G. cuvieri include G. cinerascens, G.
corinna, and G. vera (Wilson and Reeder, 1993).
General Characteristics
Few measurements for Gazella cuvieri are available, in part because
it is sometimes included within G. gazella. Males are slightly
larger than females by weight, but linear measurements are similar between
the sexes.
Reported measurements for Cuvier's gazelle (Gazella cuvieri) |
| Source |
Adult Weight |
Head & Body Length |
Shoulder Height
|
Tail Length |
| Kingdon, 1997 |
20-35 kg 
15-20 kg  |
95-105 cm |
60-69 cm |
15-20 cm |
Walther, 1990
For G. gazella, including cuvieri |
20-35 kg
15-20 kg |
95-105 cm |
60-80 cm |
15-20 cm |
Cuvier's gazelle is one of the darkest gazelle species, with an overall
grayish-brown coat (Walther, 1990; Kingdon, 1997). A wide dark band
runs along the flank, separating the brown upper parts from the white belly.
The white underside extends upwards to include the rump, where
it is separated from the upper body coloration by a vertical stripe which
is nearly black in color. The tail is relatively thin, and is black
along its entire length, creating three dark lines down the rump when seen
from behind (Walther, 1990).
The face has clear striping typical of gazelles, with a dark stripe running
from the inner corner of each eye almost to the mouth (Kingdon,
1997). Medial to these dark stripes are thicker, nearly white stripes.
The most conspicuous and tell-tale facial marking, however, is a large
oval black spot which sits saddle-like across the bridge of the nose
(Walther, 1990; Kingdon, 1997). The ears are long, narrow, and pale
in color (Kingdon, 1997). Both sexes of Cuvier's gazelle bear horns,
although those of the females are thinner and smoother than those of males
(Walther, 1990; Kingdon, 1997). Relatively straight in profile compared
to other gazelles, the horns rise vertically from the forehead and diverge
slightly outward and backwards (Kingdon, 1997). Heavy circumferential
ridges are found along most of the lenght the horns, especially in males,
while the tips are smooth and typically curve forwards (Kingdon, 1997).
Kingdon (1997) reports horn length as 25-37 cm long, the same as that given
by Walther (1990) for male G. gazella (including cuvieri).
Walther (1990) gives measurements of 20-30 cm for the horns of females.
Ontogeny and Reproduction
Gazella cuvieri typically breeds in early winter, during which time
males become territorial (Sellami and Bouredjli, 1991; Kingdon, 1997).
The resulting births occur between March and May, although several
authors have observed a second breeding season, creating a secondary peak
in births around October (Olmedo et al., 1985; Sellami and Bouredjli,
1991; Kingdon, 1997). Captive births at Almeria, Spain showed a primary
birthing period in spring from late March to early April (71% of births),
and a secondary peak in autumn, from mid-October to mid-November (Olmedo
et al., 1985). These birth peaks coincided with the times of
increased rainfall in Spain, which has a similar precipitation pattern to
the gazelle's native range in Morocco (Olmedo et al., 1985). Among
captive females, there is a 41% chance of a second birth in the same year
(Olmedo et al., 1985).
The gestation period is approximately 160 days (Olmedo et al., 1985).
Prior to giving birth, an expectant mother will separate herself from
conspecifics for a few days. Unusual among African gazelles, G.
cuvieri has frequent twins (40.5% of births), with singlets being produced
primarily by young (especially primiparous) mothers (Olmedo et al.,
1985). Birth weight for singlets averages 2.995 kg, while twins are
smaller, weighing 2.582 kg at birth on average (Alados and Escós,
1994).
Females may breed as soon as 10 days after giving birth, resulting in an
interbirth interval as short as 170 days (Olmedo et al., 1985).
Young begin taking solid food by one month of age, although they continue
suckling during this time (Alados and Escós, 1994). Females
may reach sexual maturity as early as 26 or 27 weeks, and may give birth
to their first offspring at 70 weeks of age (Olmedo et al., 1985;
Sellami and Bouredjli, 1991). Sellami and Bouredjli (1991) observed
that wild females were generally accompanied by two young animals, which
they assumed to be one from the present year and one born in the previous
year, although they gave no explanation in light of frequent twinning and
two breeding seasons.
Ecology and Behavior
Cuvier's gazelle inhabits a variety of habitats in the Atlas mountains, ranging
from open oak (Quercus) forests to desert and stony plateaus (de Smet,
1991). There is a preference for stony and sandy ground on hills and
plateaus, likely due to inaccessibility and reduced human impact (Kingdon,
1997). Most Algerian Cuvier's gazelles live in Aleppo pine forests
(Pinus halapensis),with understory oaks (Quercus ilex, Q.
coccifera) and Phylleria, and herbs such as Globularia
and Rosmarinus and a grass, alfa (Stipa tenacissima) in open
areas and in patches of regenerating forest (de Smet, 1991). The southern
part of the gazelle's range in Algeria, where the pines thin, as well as
on high plateaus (over 1000 m elevation in Morocco and Algeria) is characterized
by more open pastures of Stipa grass interspersed with scrub mosaic
(de Smet, 1991; Loggers et al., 1992).
G. cuvieri lives in small groups which typically contain fewer than
eight animals (Kingdon, 1997). Group size averages 3.71 individuals,
with nearly half (44.87%) of these groups being harems with one adult male
and a few adult females, accompanied by their recent youngsters (Sellami
and Bouredjli, 1991; Kingdon, 1997). Mixed groups, with at least two
males and more than one female, were observed by Sellami and Bouredjli
(1991) at the beginning of the rut from July to October. During
the rut, young males are forced out of the herds and band together in bachelor
groups, and may subsequently be joined by males evicted during fights for
females. Once formed, the harems will remain together throughout the
winter, breaking up as females leave to give birth. As a result
of this separation, solitary males are observed primarily during April, when
females give birth (Sellami and Bouredjli, 1991). Interestingly, solitary
females comprised one third of observations made by Sellami and Bouredjli
(1991). The Algerian population of Cuvier's gazelle studied by Sellami
and Bouredjli (1991) was predominated by adult females (58.24%), while
adult males (20.87%), young (15.92%), and subadults (5.05%) existed in
significantly lower numbers.
G. cuvieri lives in widely spaced territories which are marked with
dung piles in each valley in the region (de Smet, 1991; Kingdon, 1997).
In areas of dense cover, these latrines have been used to detect the
presence of gazelles, and can be related to the density of individuals in
some cases (de Smet, 1991). Walther (1990) states that Cuvier's gazelles
will also mark objects using their preorbital glands. Cuvier's gazelles
typically spend the days among cover in hilly terrain and descend to valleys
to graze at night or in early morning (de Smet, 1991). This species
feeds on grasses, herbs, and shrubs, and may also eat crops in farmers fields,
especially in areas where wheat is traditionally grown (de Smet, 1991;
Kingdon, 1997). Young G. cuvieri are sometimes depredated by
jackals, while most natural predators of adult Cuvier's gazelle have been
extirpated, and replaced by human threats (Sellami and Bouredjli, 1991).
Distribution
G. cuvieri is endemic to the Atlas Mountains of North Africa, and
presently is found only in inaccessible plateaus in Northern Algeria and
Morocco (Loggers et al., 1992; Kingdon, 1997). Records from
Tunisia and Western Sahara are scarce, and this species may have been extirpated
from these countries (Kingdon, 1997).
Countries: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Western Sahara (IUCN, 2004).
Range Map (Redrawn from IEA, 1998; current localities adapted
from de Smet, 1991 [Algeria] and Loggers et al., 1992 [Morocco])
Conservation Status
G. cuvieri is classified as endangered by IUCN, and the (potential)
Tunisian population is on CITES Appendix III (CITES 2005). This gazelle
is threatened by a highly fragmented population, hindering genetic migration
and increasing the risk of localized extinction. Accurate population
censuses are difficult to perform in the forested areas of the range of Cuvier's
gazelle, although de Smet (1991) estimated the Algerian population at 560,
with the caveat that this may be an underestimate. Cuvier's gazelle
is threatened by human activities, including poaching with leg snares (Kingdon,
1997; IUCN, 2004). Habitat degradation from overgrazing by livestock
is also a concern (Kingdon, 1997; IUCN, 2004).
Remarks
The common name gazelle, as well as the genus name, are derived from the
Arabic word ghazal, meaning a wild goat; coupled with
the diminutive Latin suffix -ellus. Baron G. L. Cuvier
(1769-1832) was a Professor of Natural History in France, and a famous anatomist
(Gotch, 1995). Edmi (sometimes spelled idmi) is a local
Arabic name (Gotch, 1995).
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French
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Edmi (Kingdon, 1997)
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Gazelle de Cuvier (IUCN, 2004)
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German
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Echtgazelle (Kingdon, 1997)
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Literature
Cited
Alados, C. L., and J. M. Escós. 1994. Variation in the
sex ratio of a low dimorphic polygynous species with high levels of maternal
reproductive effort: Cuvier's gazelle. Ethology, Ecology, and Evolution;
6(3):301-311.
CITES (Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Flora and Fauna). 2005. Appendix I, II, and III as adopted by the Conference
of the Parties, valid from 23 June 2005. Available online at
http://www.cites.org/
de Smet, K. 1991. Cuvier's gazelle in Algeria. Oryx; 25(2):
99-104.
Gotch, A. F. 1995. Latin names explained: A guide to the scientific
classification of reptiles, birds, and mammals. New York: Facts on
File, Inc.
Groves, C. P. 2000. Phylogenetic relationships within recent
Antilopini (Bovidae). In Antelopes, Deer, and Relatives.
Edited by E. S.Vrba and G. B.Schaller. New Haven &
London: Yale University Press. pp. 223-233.
IEA (Institute of Applied Ecology). 1998. Gazella cuvieri.
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://www.gisbau.uniroma1.it/amd/amd163b.html
IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources).
2004. 2004 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.
Loggers, C. O., M. Thevenot, and S. Aulagnier. 1992. Status and
distribution of Moroccan wild ungulates. Biological Conservation; 59(1):
9-18.
Olmedo, G., J. Escos, and M. Gomendio. 1985. Reproduction de
Gazella cuvieri en captivité. Mammalia; 49(4): 501-508.
Sellami, M. and H. A. Bouredjli (1991). Preliminary data about the
social structure of the Cuvier's Gazelle, Gazella cuvieri (Ogilby,
1841) of the reserve of Megueb (Algeria). Ongules/Ungulates 91: 357-360.
Walther, F. R. 1990. Gazelles and related species. In
Grzimek's Encyclopedia of Mammals. Edited by S. P. Parker.
New York: McGraw-Hill. Volume 5, pp. 462-484.
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/
Additional Resources
Abaigar, T., and M. Cano. 2005. Management and conservation of Cuvier’s
gazelle (Gazella cuvieri Ogilby, 1841) in captivity. International
Studbook. Insituto de Estudios Almerienses.
Abaigar, T., M. Cano, and M. Sakkouhi. 2005. Evaluation of habitat use of
a semi-captive population of Cuvier’s gazelles Gazella cuvieri
following release in Boukornine National Park, Tunisia. Acta Theriologica;
50(3): 405-415.
Abaigar, T., J. Ortiz, M. Cano, C. Martinez-Carrasco, A. Albaladejo, F. D.
Alonso. 1995. Effect of mebendazole and ivermectin on the shedding
of nematode eggs by three species of gazelles (Gazella dama mhorr,
G. cuvieri, and G. dorcas). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife
Medicine; 26(3): 392-395.
Alados, C. L., and J. Escos. 1991. Phenotypic and genetic
characteristics affecting lifetime reproductive success in female Cuvier's,
dama, and dorcas gazelles (Gazella cuvieri, Gazella dama, and
Gazella dorcas). Journal of Zoology (London); 223(2): 307-322.
Alados, C. L., and J. M. Escos. 1992. The determinants of social
status and the effect of female rank on reproductive success in dama and
Cuvier's gazelles. Ethology, Ecology and Evolution; 4(2): 151-164.
Aulagnier, S., and M. Thévenot. 1986. Les ongulés
sauvages du Maroc. Constat d'une régression alarmante. Le Courrier
de la Nature: 104(julliet-aou): 16-37.
Aulagnier, S., and M. Thévenot. 1986. Note sur les
mammifères des environs de l'Embouchure de l'Oued Massa. Bulletin
de l'Institut Scientifique (Rabat); 10: 193-199.
Casado, A., R. de la Torre, E. Lopez-Fernandez, B. Ruiz del Castillo.
1991. Hematologic and biochemical observations in Gazella
dama, Gazella dorcas, and Gazella cuvieri. Comparative
Biochemistry and Physiology B; 99(3): 637-640.
Cassinello, J., T. Abaigar, M. Gomendio, and E. R. S. Roldan. 1998.
Characteristics of the semen of three endangered species of gazelles
(Gazella dama mhorr, G. dorcas neglecta and G. cuvieri).
Journal of Reproduction and Fertility; 113(1): 35-45.
Cassinello, J., M. Gomendio, and E. R. S. Roldan. 2001. Relationship
between coefficient of inbreeding and parasite burden in endangered gazelles.
Conservation Biology; 15(4): 1171-1174.
Cuzin, F. 1996. Répartition actuelle et statut des grands
mammifères sauvages du Maroc (Primates, Carnivores, Artiodactyles).
Mammalia; 60(1): 101-124.
East, R. 1992. Conservation status of antelopes in North Africa.
Species; 18: 35-36.
*Furley, C. W. 1986. Reproductive parameters of African gazelles:
Gestation, first fertile matings, first parturition and twinning. African
Journal of Ecology; 24(2): 121-128.
Gomendio, M. 1988. The development of different types of play
in gazelles: implications for the nature and functions of play. Animal
Behaviour; 36(3): 825-836.
*Groves, C. P. 1969. On the smaller gazelles of the genus
Gazella de Blainville, 1816. Zeitschrift fur Saugetierkunde;
34: 38-60.
Roldan, E. R. S., J. Cassinello, T. Abaigar, and M. Gomendio. 1998.
Inbreeding, fluctuating asymmetry, and ejaculate quality in an endangered
ungulate. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series B (Biological
Sciences); 265(1392): 243-248.
Sellami, M., H. A. Bouredjli, and J. L. Chapuis.
1990. Répartition de la Gazelle de Cuvier (Gazella cuvieri
Ogilby, 1841) en Algérie. Vie et Milieu; 40(2/3): 234-237.
Vassart, M., A. Seguela, and H. Hayes. 1995. Chromosomal evolution
in gazelles. Journal of Heredity; 86(3): 216-227.
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