A comparison between impalas (Aepyceros) of Africa and the blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) of India

Impalas (Aepyceros) of southern and East Africa resemble - at least superficially - the blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) of India.

BODY MASS

Impalas are more massive than the blackbuck, somewhat undermining the validity of the comparison.

Furthermore, sexual dimorphism is less in impalas than in the blackbuck.

GAITS AND POSTURES

The normal walking gait in both cases is the amble.

In the blackbuck alone, mature males, in rivalry and courtship, use an exaggerated amble (which is actually more extreme than the walking gait of Giraffa).

Antilope, particularly showing ambling gait in masculine display:

https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/indian-blackbuck-antelope-cervicapra-rajasthan-royalty-free-image/126542149?phrase=blackbucks+antelope+cervicapra&adppopup=true

https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/indian-blackbuck-antelope-cervicapra-male-display-royalty-free-image/90065036?phrase=blackbucks+antelope+cervicapra&adppopup=true

https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/blackbuck-antelope-cervicapra-male-displaying-with-royalty-free-image/90064889?phrase=blackbucks+antelope+cervicapra&adppopup=true

https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/news-photo/blackbuck-male-antelope-antilope-cervicapra-near-rohet-in-news-photo/136860760?adppopup=true

In both genera, fleeing from predators includes spectacular bounding, as well as galloping (https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=impala+jumping&asset_id=270207382).

Despite their similarity in bounding, the two genera differ considerably in their behaviour towards fences.

Impalas are surprisingly reluctant to jump over high fences, but are somewhat erratic, so that game ranchers confine them by means of fences 2.4 metres high. The blackbuck is decidedly reluctant to jump over even low fences (https://blog.bookyourhunt.com/impala-hunting-in-southern-and-eastern-africa/ and https://highlandswilderness.net/fencing/).

Impalas are peculiar in not trotting, whereas the blackbuck - like all other gazelles - habitually trots (check).

Impalas have a kick-stotting gait (https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-impala-jumping-through-the-air-31802663.html?imageid=4153A7B3-C185-4EB7-AEAE-BE8EDEE68EE9&p=34420&pn=1&searchId=afe5e634cabb36b932797102a2dfbc29&searchtype=0), whereas the stotting gait of the blackbuck is similar to that of diverse other ruminants.

Impalas swim poorly, whereas the blackbuck swims competently, like other gazelles (https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=464324768942915).

Neither impalas nor the blackbuck use bipedal postures to forage.

Both genera lie by means of sternal recumbency. However, impalas, in adulthood, tend to lie mainly at night. By day they ruminate while standing (https://www.pond5.com/stock-footage/item/138472590-impala-swallowing-food-and-regurgitating-cud-addo-national-p).

ADAPTIVE COLOURATION

In both cases, the ground-colour is medium-tone, with horizontal panelling on the flanks and crisply-defined white countershading in the ventral part of the torso.

However, a major difference is that duly males differ from adult females in the blackbuck.

SOCIOSEXUAL BEHAVIOUR

GREGARIOUSNESS

Impalas are more gregarious than is the blackbuck. This is evidenced by the fact that founder populations of the former, e.g. in reintroduction programs, tend to fail unless several dozen individuals are present, whereas in the case of the latter only a few individuals are necessary. The two genera fare differently in captivity (e.g. in zoos) accordingly.

Texas introductions

ANTI-PREDATOR STRATEGIES

RELATIONSHIP TO PARASITES

Publicado el 16 de febrero de 2024 a las 04:27 AM por milewski