| Arabian gazelle | |
|---|---|
_Gazella_arabica.png) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Family: | Bovidae |
| Subfamily: | Antilopinae |
| Genus: | Gazella |
| Species: | G. arabica |
| Binomial name | |
| Gazella arabica Lichtenstein, 1827 | |
| Synonyms | |
TheArabian gazelle(Gazella arabica) is a species ofgazelle from theArabian Peninsula. There are approximately 5,000 – 7,000 mature individuals in the wild.[3] It is now synonymous withGazella erlangeri, commonly known asErlanger's gazelle orNeumann's gazelle.[4]
Until recently, it was only known from a singlelectotype specimen mistakenly thought to have been collected on theFarasan Islands in theRed Sea in 1825. A 2013 genetic study of the lectotype specimen revealed that skull and skin do not stem from the same individual but belong to two distinct lineages of themountain gazelle (Gazella gazella), necessitating restriction of the lectotype to the skin to conserve nomenclatural stability. A later study formalized the use ofGazella arabica for the Arabian lineage of the mountain gazelle, and synonymizedGazella erlangeri withG. arabica.[5][6]
The Arabian gazelle lives ingrassland,shrubland, anddesert habitat types.[3] They predominantly feed on the leaves, flowers, and fruits ofacacia trees (GenusVachellia) and other trees and shrubs. Arabian gazelles are selective browsers, preferring woody plants over grasses. They predominantly feed on all fours, but may rear up on their hind legs to access higher food.[7] They share their habitat with many other herbivores, includingDorcas gazelles (Gazella dorcas),mountain gazelles (Gazella gazella),Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana),Asiatic wild ass (Equus hemionus), andArabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx).[8] Their main predators areArabian wolves (Canis lupus arabs).[9]
Arabian gazelles arecrepuscular, most active in the early morning and evening when temperatures are cooler. In the heat of midday, they rest tochew their cud.[10]
They have been found with antibodies to the parasitetoxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii).[11] They contract gastrointestinal diseases includingclostridiosis andsalmonellosis, as well as chronic renalfibrosis.[12]
Offspring survival becomes more likely as birth weight increases, and birth weight is more reliant onheritability than onmaternal effects.[13]
The Arabian gazelle is classified as Vulnerable by theInternational Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The population is declining: estimated at 12,000 mature individuals in 2008, the species now numbers approximately 5,000 to 7,000 as of 2016.[3]
There are many environmental factors affecting the population density of Arabian gazelles, such as human hunting, predation, competition, and climate change. The decline in population is due to human disturbances such as construction, livestock competition, capture for the pet trade, and illegal hunting. Other factors include temperature change, and predation (mainly by wolves); as the researchers stated in their findings that, "Wolf encounter rate had a significant negative effect onG. arabica population size, whileG. dorcas population size had a significant positive effect, suggesting that wolf predation shapes the population size of both gazelle species."[9]
There is a small reintroduced population onIran'sFaror Island.[3]
Arelict population of approximately 30 Arabian gazelles lives inIsrael'sArava Valley. Known locally as "Acacia gazelles", they are protected in a fenced enclosure at theYotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve. There is some evidence that they facebrowsing competition from theDorcas gazelles that share their enclosure, which has prompted the relocation of many Dorcas gazelles.[14]
In the 1990s,Oman's population was approximately 13,000 individuals, the majority living in theJiddat al-Harasis. However, the population has been in continuous decline since then due topoaching. They live in several nature reserves, including theArabian Oryx Sanctuary, Wadi Sareen Tahr Reserve,Jebel Samhan Nature Reserve, andAl Saleel National Park.[3] In 2023 a small population was discovered onMasirah Island.[15]
Saudi Arabia has approximately 1,500–1,700 individuals, of which 1,000 live on theFarasan Islands, which are protected as a nature reserve. The Farasan Island gazelles are surveyed by the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development every 2–3 years. They are protected in other nature reserves, including theIbex Reserve andUruq Bani Ma'arid.[3]
TheUnited Arab Emirates contains several small and scattered populations.[3] A 2023 survey identified 421 individuals at the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve.[16] The report noted a 43% population decline relative to a similar survey conducted two years prior.
Arabian gazelles are present inYemen, but there is no recent population estimate due to ongoing conflict.[3]
