 Neotragus
pygmaeus
Royal antelope |
Taxonomy | Description
| Reproduction | Ecology
| Behavior | Distribution
| Conservation | Remarks
| Literature |
| Taxonomy
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Neotragus pygmaeus [Linnaeus, 1758].
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Citation: Syst. Nat., 10th ed., 1:69.
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Type locality: "Guinea, India" (= west coast of Africa).
The initial taxonomic record (above) is taken from Wilson and Reeder (1993).
Originally named Capra pygmaea, the spelling of the royal antelope's
scientific name is inconsistent, with some authors dropping the "a" in the
species to form Neotragus pygmeus (Wilson and Reeder, 1993).
However, due to general consensus, N. pygmaeus is used here.
The royal antelope is the only member of the subgenus Neotragus
(see Nowak, 1991). The species is monotypic (no described subspecies)
and has no synonyms (see Wilson and Reeder, 1993).
General Characteristics
The tiny royal antelope has the distinction of being the smallest African
ungulate, the smallest bovid, and vies for the title of smallest ungulate
with mouse deer (Tragulus) (Happold, 1973; Nowak, 1991). Adults
are typically less than 3 kilograms in weight, 50 cm long, and 25 cm high
at the shoulder.
Reported measurements for royal antelope (Neotragus pygmaeus) |
| Source |
Adult Weight |
Head & Body Length |
Shoulder Height
|
Tail Length |
| Benirschke, 2005 |
2.45 kg
(pregnant  ) |
- |
- |
- |
| Happold, 1973 |
2-3 kg |
38-51 cm |
25 cm |
5-8 cm |
| Kingdon, 1997 |
1.5-3 kg |
38-51 cm |
24-26 cm |
5-8 cm |
| Nowak, 1991 |
- |
50 cm |
25-30.5 cm |
7.5 cm |
| Owen, 1973 |
2.4 kg |
43 cm |
26 cm |
5 cm |
| Walther, 1990 |
1.8-2.5 kg |
40-50 cm |
25 cm |
5-8 cm |
The coat of N. pygmaeus is soft and sleek (Happold, 1973). The
general coloration is a golden brown, cinnamon, or russet, becoming slightly
paler on the lower sides (Happold, 1973; Nowak, 1991; Kingdon, 1997). The
underparts, including the chin, throat, and insides of the hind legs, are
white (Happold, 1973; Nowak, 1991; Kingdon, 1997). Across the throat
runs a band of rufous brown (the same as the upperparts) which bisects the
white coloration on the underside of the neck like a collar (Happold,
1973; Kingdon, 1997). The tail is thin and small, being mostly white,
except for a thin stripe of color on the dorsal surface (Happold, 1973; Kingdon,
1997). The tail terminates with an entirely white tuft (Nowak, 1991).
The royal antelope has a compact build with thin, relatively long legs (Kingdon,
1997). The hind limbs are longer than forelimbs, and are typically
tucked under the body, raising the hindquarters (Happold, 1973; Nowak, 1991).
This provides a more streamlined shape, and enables the hind legs to
provide tremendous thrusting force should the need to flee arise (Happold,
1973; Nowak, 1991). There is a white spot on the front surface of each
leg, just above the hooves (Happold, 1973). N. pygmaeus lacks
dewclaws (Nowak, 1991). Females have four teats (Walther, 1990; Nowak,
1991).
N. pygmaeus has no distinctive facial markings. The round,
dark-brown eyes are large and preorbital glands are present (Owen, 1973;
Walther, 1990; Kingdon, 1997). The muzzle is petite and the large rhinarium
is grey-pink in color (Owen, 1973; Walther, 1990; Kingdon, 1997). The
rounded ears are translucent, with the inner surface being flesh-colored
(Owen, 1973; Kingdon, 1997). There is no tuft of hair on the forehead
(Walther, 1990). Male royal antelope have one pair of short, conical
horns (Happold, 1973; Nowak, 1991; Kingdon, 1997). Black in color and
lacking any ridges, the smooth horns point backwards, following the angle
of forehead (Happold, 1973; Walther, 1990; Nowak, 1991). Like everything
else with this species, the horns are small, growing 1.2-2.5 cm, or occasionally
up to 3.5 cm, in length (Walther, 1990; Nowak, 1991).
Ontogeny and Reproduction
Little is known about the breeding of the royal antelope. In the wild,
births allegedly occur in November and December (Walther, 1990), a date supported
by a juvenile acquired by Owens (1973). There is typically one young
per litter (Walther, 1990; Benirschke, 2005). Walther (1990) gives
weight at birth as 0.8-1.0 kg - un unreasonably high figure, considering
this is over one third of an adult's body weight (Walther, 1990).
Benirschke (2005) estimated the birth weight of a captive-born youngster
to be 300 grams or less. Young are fragile, and have the same coloration
as adults (see Benirschke, 2005). The preorbital glands open at about
three months of age (Owen, 1973).
Weaning reportedly occurs around 2 months of age (Owens, 1973; Walther, 1990;
Kingdon, 1997). A young captive observed by Owens (1973) began ruminating
at four months of age, an had settled into a typical ruminant feeding pattern
(eating quickly while food is available, then ruminating at a later time)
by six months. Sexual maturity is attained after one year of age (Walther,
1990; Kingdon, 1997). The longest reported life span for a royal antelope
was a captive individual which lived to 6 years, 8 months (Jones, 1993).
Ecology and Behavior
N. pygmaeus is a forest-dwelling species, typically found in rainforest,
tropical dry forest, and galleries in forest-savannah mosaics (Kingdon, 1997;
IUCN, 2004). Areas with dense undergrowth, such as forest edges and
clearings, provide cover and are frequently used (Nowak, 1991; Kingdon, 1997).
With increasing human encroachment into their natural habitat, royal
antelope are now often found along road verges and cultivated lands (Kingdon,
1997; IUCN, 2004).
Ecologically, N. pygmaeus is believed to occupy a niche similar to
the closely related Bates' antelope (Neotragus batesi), found in Central
African forests (Happold, 1973). No ecological studies
have been done with this species, in part due to its shy, secretive nature,
and thus most of the information presented here is drawn from anecdotes,
inferences, and supposition (Nowak, 1991; IEA, 1998). The royal antelope
is frequently reported as being crepuscular and/or nocturnal, resting and
ruminating during the day (Happold, 1973; Walther, 1990). Kingdon (1997),
however, suggests that this species may forage throughout the day, but is
most easily seen in the beams of flashlights at night, when it will exit
the forest to visit verges and farms (Kingdon, 1997). Reports that
this species lives solitary or in monogamous pairs are frequent (Walther,
1990; Kingdon, 1997). A pair occupies a small territory estimated to
be only 100 square meters in size, which is marked with dung (Walther,
1990; Kingdon, 1997).
Royal antelope move with a high-stepping gait, constantly flicking their
tail (Happold, 1973; Kingdon, 1997). If disturbed, the first response
is to crouch and hide under cover (Happold, 1973). If the threat continues
to approach, royal antelope will wait until it is nearly on top of them before
taking flight (Nowak, 1991). This species can move very rapidly through
dense cover, dodging and twisting, and disappearing quickly from view (Happold,
1973; Nowak, 1991). There are two distinct methods of fleeing, either
a fast run with the body held low to the ground and the head thrust forward
or with powerful high jumps (Happold, 1973; Kingdon, 1997). The long
hind legs provide incredible power, and N. pygmaeus is reported to
leap as far as 2.8 meters in a single bound, and as high as 55 cm from a
standing start (Owen, 1973; Nowak, 1991). Royal antelope are preyed
upon by numerous predators - virtually anything larger than its diminutive
size, including raptors and large snakes (Walther, 1990).
The diet of N. pygmaeus consists of fresh leaves, buds, and shoots
(Kingdon, 1997). Fruits, fungi, and flowers are fed upon less frequently,
and grasses and herbs are eaten only rarely (Walther, 1990; Nowak, 1991;
Kingdon, 1997). A captive royal antelope observed by Owen (1973) given
free-range outdoors preferred eating Blepharis maderaspatensis and
Asystasia gangetica (Acanthaceae), and Tridax procumbens
(Compositae). Other plants were eaten in limited quantities, including
grasses, sedges, Vernonia cinerea (Compositae), Canscora
decussara (Gentianaceae), Alternanthera (Amarantaceae),
Borreria (Rubiaceae), Desmodium (Papilionaceae), Euphorbia
prostrata (Euphorbiaceae), and Solenostemon ocymoides (Labiatae).
Although Kingdon (1997) reported that leaves are plucked using the
mouth and long tongue, Owens (1973) observed leaves to be bitten cleanly
off the parent plant, with the tongue playing a very minor roll in acquiring
and chwing vegetation.
Distribution
N. pygmaeus is found in the Guinea forest block along the southern
coast of west Africa (Owen, 1973). Specimens have been recorded at
elevations up to 2,000 meters above sea level (Happold, 1973).
Countries: Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra
Leone (IUCN, 2004).
Range Map (Redrawn from IEA, 1998)
Conservation Status
N. pygmaeus is classified as a low risk, near threatened species
by the IUCN (2004), and is not listed by CITES. The wild population
has been estimated at 62,000 individuals, although the authors suggest that
this may be a significant underestimate due to the difficulty of censusing
such a shy creature (East, 1999) Royal antelope are threatened
by persistent hunting, as well as habitat loss to agriculture (IUCN, 2004).
Remarks
In folklore of Liberia, the royal antelope is a figure renowned for
its speed and wiseness (Nowak, 1991). Because of its size and habits,
it is known locally as the "King of the Hares", and it is apparently from
this kingly appellation that the common name "royal antelope" was derived
(Gotch, 1995)
The genus name Neotragus is from the Greek words neos (meaning
new) and tragos (a he-goat). The English word pygmy, as well
as the species name pygmaeus, can be traced to the Greek word for
fist - pugme; hence pugmaios (Greek) means "as small as a fist"
(Gotch, 1995).
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Local names (from Happold, 1973)
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Adowa [Twi]
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Sagbene [Dyula]
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French
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Antilope royale (Happold, 1973).
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German
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Kleinstböckchen (Happold, 1973).
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Literature
Cited
Benirschke, K. 2005. Comparative Placentation: Royal antelope,
Neotragus pygmaeus. Available online
http://medicine.ucsd.edu/cpa/rant.htm
(Accessed December 6, 2005).
East, R. [compiler]. 1999. African Antelope Database 1998. IUCN/SSC Antelope
Specialist Group. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN.
Gotch, A. F. 1995. Latin names explained: A guide to the scientific
classification of reptiles, birds, and mammals. New York: Facts on
File, Inc.
Happold, D. C. D. 1973. Large Mammals of West Africa. London:
Longman Group Ltd.
IEA (Institute of Applied Ecology). 1998. Neotragus
pygmaeus. 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/amd183b.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/
Jones, M. L. 1993. Longevity of ungulates in captivity.
International Zoo Yearbook; 32: 159-169.
Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals. Academic
Press, London and New York: NaturalWorld.
Owen, J. 1973. Behavior and diet of a captive royal antelope,
Neotragus pygmaeus L. Mammalia; 37: 56-65.
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/
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