Tragelaphini

Tragelaphini
Temporal range: Middle Miocene – present, 15–0 Ma [1]
Giant eland showing the characteristic spiral-horns seen in this group of bovines.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Subfamily: Bovinae
Tribe: Tragelaphini
Blyth, 1863 sensu Sokolov, 1953
Type species
Antilope sylvatica
Pallas, 1766
Genera

See text

Synonyms
List
  • Strepsiceriae Gray, 1846
  • Strepsicerotini Gray, 1846 sensu Simpson, 1945
  • Tragelaphinae Blyth, 1863
  • Taurotragidae Knottnerus-Meyer, 1907
  • Taurotragini Knottnerus-Meyer, 1907 sensu Leakey, 1965

The tribe Tragelaphini (sometimes referred to by some authors as "Strepsicerotini"[2][3]), or the spiral-horned antelopes, are bovines that are endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. These include the bushbucks, kudus, and the elands. The scientific name is in reference to the mythical creature the tragelaph, a Chimera with the body of a stag and the head of a goat. They are medium-to-large, tall, long-legged antelopes characterized by their iconic twisted horns and striking pelage coloration patterns (most common is the distinctive white, vertical barring).[4]

Despite being among the largest species of antelope, they are actually more closely related to cattle (Bos taurus), and together along with a few apparent Asiatic species belong to the subfamily Bovinae.[4][5][6] While the group's evolutionary history occurred in Africa, there have been fossil species that have been found in Eurasia (which may also be the place of origin for this group).[7][8] The number of genera and species is debated as some consider there to be one or two genera with nine species, while others consider there to be five genera and 25 species.[6] In general, spiral-horned antelopes can be roughly divided into two groups: robust forms (which only consists of the two eland species, Taurotragus) and gracile forms (the rest of them, in the genus Tragelaphus, although this taxon is an unnatural grouping, and might warrant additional genera).[5][6][1]

Spiral-horned antelopes are browsers, found in a wide variety of environments both arid and humid, including semi-deserts, savannas, rainforests and mountains.[1][4] In all these environments, however, they prefer to live in dense bush or thicket, which offer concealment from their natural predators. Considered among the most beautiful and charismatic bovids, the various species of spiral-horned antelopes are popular in zoos and game reserves.[9] The two eland species have been ranched as alternatives to cattle, being hardy in extreme environments, relatively placid in character, and nutritionally superior as a meat source.[10][11][12][13]

  1. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference kingdon2015 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference grubb2001 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference grubb2004 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b c Castelló, J.R. (2016). Bovids of the Word. Princeton University Press.
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference willowsmunro2005 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b c Groves, C.; Grubb, P. (2011). Ungulate Taxonomy. The Johns Hopkins University Press.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference agustantón2005 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference kostopouloskoufos2006 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference mungall2007 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference posselt1963 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference lightfoot1977 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference lightfootposs1977 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference bartoňetal2014 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).