Theblackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), also known as theIndian antelope, is a medium-sizedantelope native toIndia andNepal. It inhabits grassy plains and lightly forested areas with perennial water sources.It stands up to 74 to 84 cm (29 to 33 in) high at the shoulder. Males weigh 20–57 kg (44–126 lb), with an average of 38 kg (84 lb). Females are lighter, weighing 20–33 kg (44–73 lb) or 27 kg (60 lb) on average. Males have 35–75 cm (14–30 in) long corkscrewhorns, and females occasionally develop horns, as well. The white fur on the chin and around the eyes is in sharp contrast with the black stripes on the face. Both sexes' coats feature a two-tone colouration; in males, the majority of the body is dark brown to black, with white circles around the eyes, white ears and tail, and the belly, lower jaw, and inner legs also white. Females and juveniles are yellowish-fawn to tan and display the same white areas, only with more of a beige tone than the males. Females also feature a more pronounced horizontal white side-stripe, starting around the shoulder and ending at the rump. The blackbuck is the sole living member of thegenusAntilope and wasdescribed byCarl Linnaeus in 1758. Twosubspecies are recognized.
The blackbuck isactive mainly during the day. It forms three types of small groups: female, male, and young bachelor herds. Males often adoptlekking as a strategy to garner females for mating. While other males are not allowed into these territories, females often visit these places to forage. The male can thus attempt mating with her. The blackbuck is an herbivore and grazes on low grasses, occasionallybrowsing as well. Females becomesexually mature at the age of eight months, but mate no earlier than two years of age. Males mature later, at 1.5 years. Mating takes place throughout the year. Gestation is typically six months long, after which a single calf is born. The lifespan is typically 10 to 15 years.
The antelope is native to and occurs mainly in India, while it islocally extinct inPakistan andBangladesh. It was formerly widespread; today small and scattered herds are largely confined to protected areas. During the 20th century, blackbuck numbers declined sharply due to excessivehunting,deforestation, andhabitat destruction.
The blackbuck has been introduced inArgentina,Australia and theUnited States, primarily on hunting ranches. In Argentina, the population is surviving well. In India, hunting of blackbuck is prohibited under Schedule I of theWildlife Protection Act of 1972. The blackbuck has significance inHinduism; Indian and Nepali villagers do not harm the antelope.
Thescientific name of the blackbuckAntilope cervicapra stems from theLatin wordantalopus ("horned animal").[3][4] Thespecific namecervicapra is composed of the Latin wordscervus ("deer") andcapra ("she-goat").[3][5] The vernacular name "blackbuck" is a reference to the dark brown to black colour of thedorsal part of thecoat of the males.[6] The earliest recorded use of this name dates back to 1850.[7]
Antilope,Eudorcas,Gazella, andNanger form aclade within theirtribeAntilopini. A 1995 study of the detailedkaryotype ofAntilope suggested that within this clade,Antilope is closest to theGazella group.[11] A 1999phylogenetic analysis confirmed thatAntilope is the closest sister taxon toGazella,[12] although an earlier phylogeny, proposed in 1976, placedAntilope as sister toNanger.[13] In a more recent revision of the phylogeny of the Antilopini on the basis of sequences from multiplenuclear andmitochondrial loci in 2013, Eva Verena Bärmann (of theUniversity of Cambridge) and colleagues re-examined the phylogenetic relationships and foundAntilope andGazella to be sister genera distinct from the sister generaNanger andEudorcas.[14][15]
A. c. cervicapra(Linnaeus, 1758), known as the southeastern blackbuck, occurs in southern, eastern, and central India. The white eye ring of the male is narrow above the eye and the neck is all black in the male and the white on the underside is largely restricted to the belly in both males and females. The black leg stripe is well defined and reaches all along the leg.
A. c. rajputanae (Zukowsky, 1927), known as the northwestern blackbuck, occurs in northwestern India. Males have a grey sheen to the dark parts during the breeding season. The white on the underside extends up to half way on the sides of the body and the lower base of the neck of males is white. The white eye ring is broad all around the eye with the leg-stripe going only down to the shanks.
The blackbuck shows variation in its diploidchromosome number. Males have 31–33, while females have 30–32. Males have an XY1Y2 sex chromosome.[18][19] Unusually largesex chromosomes had earlier been described only in a few species, all of which belonged to Rodentia. However, in 1968, a study found that twoartiodactyls, the blackbuck and thesitatunga, too, showed this abnormality. Generally, theX chromosome constitutes 5% of thehaploid chromosomal complement, but the X chromosome of the blackbuck this percentage is 14.96. Portions of both peculiarly large chromosomes show delayedreplication.[20]
A 1997 study found lower variation in bloodproteinpolymorphism inAntilope in comparison withAntidorcas,Eudorcas, andGazella. This was attributed to a history of rapid evolution of anautapomorphicphenotype ofAntilope. This might have been aided by a particularly strong selection of a few dominant males due to their lekking behaviour.[21]
The blackbuck has white fur on the chin and around the eyes, which is in sharp contrast with the black stripes on the face. The coats of males show two-tone colouration; while the upper parts and outsides of the legs are dark brown to black, the underparts and the insides of the legs are all white. Darkness typically increases as the male ages; females and juveniles are yellowish fawn to tan.[22] In Texas, blackbuckmoult in spring, following which the males look notably lighter, though darkness persists on the face and the legs.[23] On the contrary, males grow darker as thebreeding season approaches.[22] Both melanism[24] and albinism have been observed in wild blackbuck. Albino blackbuck are often zoo attractions as in theIndira Gandhi Zoological Park.[25]
The blackbuck is a moderately sized antelope. It stands up to 74 to 84 cm (29 to 33 in) high at the shoulder; the head-to-body length is nearly 120 cm (47 in).[9] In the population introduced to Texas, males weigh 20–57 kg (44–126 lb), an average of 38 kg (84 lb). Females are lighter, weighing 20–33 kg (44–73 lb) or 27 kg (60 lb) on average.[23]Sexual dimorphism is prominent, as males are heavier and darker than the females.[23] The long, ringedhorns, that resemble corkscrews, are generally present only on males, though females may also develop horns. They measure 35–75 cm (14–30 in), though the maximum horn length recorded in Texas has not exceeded 58 cm (23 in). The horns diverge forming a "V"-like shape.[23] In India, horns are longer and more divergent in specimens from the northern and western parts of the country.[17]
Blackbuck bear a close resemblance to gazelles, and are distinguished mainly by the fact that while gazelles are brown in the dorsal parts, blackbuck develop a dark brown or black colour in these parts.[6]
India from the base of the Himalayas to the neighbourhood ofCape Comorin (the southernmost locality known to me isPoint Calimere), and from the Punjab to Lower Assam, in open plains, not in Ceylon nor east of theBay of Bengal. Not found on hills nor in thickly wooded tracts, and wanting throughout theMalabar coast south of the neighbourhood of Surat. The statement that this antelope is not found in Lower Bengal is not quite correct ; none are found in the swampy Gangetic delta, but many exist on the plains near the coast inMidnapore (I have shot them near Contai), as they also do in Orissa. Antelopes are most abundant in the North-west Provinces, Rajputana, and parts of theDeccan, but are locally distributed and keep to particular tracts.
Today, small, scattered herds are largely confined to protected areas.[1]
The antelope was introduced inTexas in theEdwards Plateau in 1932. By 1988, the population had increased and the antelope was the most populous exotic animal in Texas after thechital.[23][34]
The blackbuck is adiurnal antelope, though is less active at noon when summer temperatures rise. It can run at a speed of 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph).[9]
Group size fluctuates and seems to depend on the availability of forage and the nature of the habitat. Large herds have an edge over smaller ones in that danger can be detected faster, though individual vigilance is lower in the former. Large herds spend more time feeding than small herds. A disadvantage for large herds, however, is that traveling requires more resources.[35] Herd size reduces in summer.[36]
Males often adoptlekking as a strategy on the part of males to garner females for mating. Territories are established by males on the basis of the local distribution of female groups, which in turn is determined by the habitat, so as to ensure greater access to females.[37] The males actively defend resources in their territories, nearly 1.2 to 12 hectares (3.0 to 29.7 acres; 0.0046 to 0.0463 sq mi) in size;[23] territories are marked with scent usingpreorbital gland andinterdigital gland secretions, faeces and urine.[38][39] While other males are not allowed into these territories, females are allowed to visit these places to forage. The male can attempt mating with visiting females. Lekking is a demanding strategy, as the males often have to bear injuries – thus it is a tactic typically adopted by strong,dominant males. Males may either defend their mates or try to forcibly copulate with them. Weaker males, who may not be dominant, might choose the second method.[40]
The blackbuck is severely affected by natural calamities such asfloods anddroughts, from which it can take as long as five years to recover.[41] Thewolf is a majorpredator.[42] Old rutting bulls might be especially vulnerable prey.[41] Thegolden jackal hunts juveniles. Village dogs are reported to kill fawns, but are unlikely to successfully hunt and kill adults.[43]
Blackbucks inGreat Indian Bustard Sanctuary show flexible habitat use as the resources and risks change seasonally in the landscape. They use small patches in the area of about 3 km2 (1.2 sq mi). Human activities strongly influenced the movement of herds, but the presence of small refuges allowed them to persist in the landscape.[44]
The blackbuck is a herbivore and grazes on low grasses, occasionallybrowsing as well. It preferssedges,fall witchgrass,mesquite, andlive oak and was occasionally observed browsing onacacia trees in theCholistan Desert.[26] Oats and berseem were found to be palatable and nutritious to captive populations.[45] InVelavadar Black Buck Sanctuary,Dichanthium annulatum comprised 35% of the diet. Digestion of nutrients, especiallycrude proteins, was poor in summer, but more efficient in the rainy and winter seasons. Crude protein intake in summer was very low, even below the recommended value. Blackbuck consumed less food in summer than in winter, and often foraged on the fruits ofProsopis juliflora.[46]Prosopis becomes a significant food item if grasses are scarce.[47] Water is a daily requirement of the blackbuck.[1]
Females becomesexually mature at the age of eight months, but mate no earlier than two years. Males mature at the age of one-and-a-half years. Mating takes place throughout the year; peaks occur during spring and fall in Texas.[23] Two peaks have been observed in India: from August to October and from March to April.[36] Rutting males aggressively establish and defend their territories from other males, giving out loud grunts and engaging in serious head-to-head fights, pushing each other using horns.[9] Aggressivedisplay consists of thrusting the neck forward and raising it, folding the ears and raising the tail. The dominant male pursues the female with his nose pointing upward, smells her urine and shows aflehmen response. The female shows her receptivity by waving her tail and thumping the hindlegs on the ground. This is followed by several mounting attempts, and copulation. The whole process may last as long as six hours. The female will remain still for some time after copulation, following which she may start grazing. The male may then move on to mate with another female.[36][48]
Gestation typically lasts six months,[49] after which a single calf is born.[23] Newborns are a light yellow; infant males may have a black patch on the head and the neck.[36] Young areprecocial, they can stand on their own soon after birth.[9] Females can mate again after a month of parturition.[23] Juveniles remain active and playful throughout the day. Juvenile males turn black gradually, darkening notably after the third year.[36] The lifespan is typically 10 to 15 years.[6][23]
Blackbuck carved on temple pillar at Lepakshi (16th century)
During the 20th century, blackbuck numbers declined sharply due to excessive hunting,deforestation and habitat degradation. Some blackbucks arekilled illegally especially where the species issympatric withnilgai.[1]
The blackbuck has associations with theIndian culture. The antelope might have been a source of food in theIndus Valley civilisation (3300–1700 BCE); bone remains have been discovered in sites such asDholavira[57] andMehrgarh.[58] The blackbuck is routinely depicted in miniature paintings of theMughal era of 16th to 19th centuries depicting royal hunts often using cheetahs.[59][60][61] Villagers in India and Nepal generally do not harm the blackbuck.[62] Tribes such as theBishnois revere and care for most animals including the blackbuck.[63][64]
The blackbuck is mentioned inSanskrit texts as theKṛṣṇamṛga.[51] According toHindu mythology, it draws the chariot ofLord Krishna.[62] The blackbuck is considered to be the vehicle of the wind godVayu, the divine drinkSoma and the moon godChandra.[51] In Tamil Nadu, the blackbuck is considered to be the vehicle of the Hindu goddessKorravai.[64] In Rajasthan, the goddessKarni Mata is believed to protect the blackbuck.[64]
In theYājñavalkya Smṛti,Sage Yagyavalkya is quoted stating "in what country there is black antelope, in thatDharma must be known", which is interpreted to mean that certain religious practices including sacrifices were not to be performed where blackbuck did not roam.[65][66]
Thehide of the blackbuck is deemed to be sacred in Hinduism. According to the scriptures, it is to be sat upon only bybrahmin priests,sadhus andyogis, forest-dwellers andbhikshu mendicants.[64][67] Blackbuck meat is highly regarded in Texas.[68] In an analysis, blackbuck milk was found to have 6.9% protein, 9.3% fat, and 4.3%lactose.[69]
In some agricultural areas innorthern India, the blackbuck are found in large numbers and raid crop fields.[70] However, the damage caused by blackbuck is far lower than that caused by the nilgai.[71][72]
In 2018, Bollywood actorSalman Khan was sentenced to five years imprisonment forpoaching a blackbuck in 1998.[73]
Blackbuck as a heraldry symbol of some princely states of India
^Effron, M.; Bogart, M. H.; Kumamoto, A. T.; Benirschke, K. (1976). "Chromosome studies in the mammalian subfamily Antilopinae".Genetica.46 (4):419–44.doi:10.1007/BF00128089.S2CID23227689.
^abGroves, C.; Grubb, P. (2011).Ungulate Taxonomy. Baltimore, Maryland (US): Johns Hopkins University Press.ISBN978-1-4214-0093-8.
^Sontakke, S.D.; Kandukuri, L.R.; Umapathy, G.; Kulashekaran, K.M.; Venkata, P.O.; Shivaji, S.; Singh, L. (2012). "The 34,XY 1 ,der(13) Chromosome Constitution with Loss of Y 2 Is Associated with Unilateral Testicular Hypoplasia in the Endangered Indian Blackbuck Antelope (Antilope cervicapra)".Sexual Development.6 (5):240–246.doi:10.1159/000339898.PMID22846804.S2CID27843494.
^Wurster, D.H.; Benirschke, K.; Noelke, H. (February 1968). "Unusually large sex chromosomes in the sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei) and the blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra)".Chromosoma.23 (3):317–23.doi:10.1007/BF02451003.PMID5658170.S2CID20620389.
^Schreiber, A.; Fakler, P.; Osterballe, R. (1997). "Blood protein variation in blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), a lekking gazelle".Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde.62 (4):239–49.
^abDeal, K.H. (2011).Wildlife and Natural Resource Management (Third ed.). Clifton Park, New York (US): Delmar Cengage Learning. p. 156.ISBN978-1-4354-5397-5.
^abcdeMallon, D.P.; Kingswood, S.C.; East, R. (2001).Antelopes: Global Survey and Regional Action Plans. Gland, Switzerland: International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). p. 184.ISBN978-2-8317-0594-1.
^Isvaran, K. (2004). "Female grouping best predicts lekking in blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra)".Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology.57 (3):283–294.doi:10.1007/s00265-004-0844-z.S2CID32511584.
^Rajagopal, T.; Manimozhi, A. & Archunan, G. (2011). "Diurnal variation in preorbital gland scent marking behaviour of captive male Indian Blackbuck (Antelope cervicapra L.) and its territorial significance".Biological Rhythm Research.42 (1):27–38.Bibcode:2011BioRR..42...27R.doi:10.1080/09291011003693161.S2CID84513333.
^Rajagopal, T. & Archunan, G. (2006). "Scent marking by Indian blackbuck: Characteristics and spatial distribution of urine, pellet, preorbital and interdigital gland marking in captivity".Wildlife Biodiversity Conservation: Proceedings of the "National Seminar on Wildlife Biodiversity Conservation", 13 to 15 October 2006, A Seminar Conducted During the "bi-decennial Celebrations" of Pondicherry University:71–80.
^Archunan, G. & Rajagopal, T. (2013). "Detection of estrus in Indian blackbuck: Behavioural, hormonal and urinary volatiles evaluation".General and Comparative Endocrinology.181:156–166.doi:10.1016/j.ygcen.2012.11.012.PMID23229002.
^abcKrishna, N. (2010).Sacred Animals of India. New Delhi, India: Penguin Books India.ISBN978-0-14-306619-4.
^"Schedule I - Wildlife Protection Act"(PDF).moef.nic.in. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 18 February 2015. Retrieved11 March 2016.
^Bagchi, S.; Goyal, S. P.; Sankar, K. (2003). "Habitat separation among ungulates in dry tropical forests of Ranthambhore National Park, Rajasthan".Tropical Ecology.44 (2):175–182.CiteSeerX10.1.1.547.4828.
^Hughes, J.E. (2013).Animal Kingdoms: Hunting, the Environment, and Power in the Indian Princely States (First ed.). Cambridge, Massachusetts (US): Harvard University Press. pp. 151–154.ISBN978-0-674-07280-0.
^Welch, S.C. (1987).The Emperors' Album: Images of Mughal India. New York, US: Abrams. p. 185.ISBN978-0-8109-0886-4.
^Topsfield, A. (2013).Paintings from Mughal India (New ed.). Oxford, UK: University of Oxford Press. p. 45.ISBN978-1-85124-087-6.
^abDinerstein, E. (2013).Discovering Big Cat Country: On the Trail of Tigers and Snow Leopards. Washington, US: Island Press.ISBN978-1-61091-479-6.
^Nanditha Krishna (2014).Sacred Animals of Krishna. Penguin UK.ISBN978-81-8475-182-6.The determined protests of the Bishnois, who claimed to have caught the actor red-handed and on whose land the hunting had taken place, resulted in his arrest and trial.
^Bonnell, J. (2009).Jon Bonnell's Fine Texas Cuisine (1st ed.). Layton, Utah (US): Gibbs Smith. p. 122.ISBN978-1-4236-0523-2.
^Dill, C. W.; Tybor, P. T.; Mcgill, R.; Ramsey, C. W. (1972). "Gross composition and fatty acid constitution of blackbuck antelope (Antilope cervicapra) milk".Canadian Journal of Zoology.50 (8):1127–1129.Bibcode:1972CaJZ...50.1127D.doi:10.1139/z72-150.PMID5056105.
^Jhala, Y. V. (January 1993). "Damage toSorghum crop by blackbuck".International Journal of Pest Management.39 (1):23–7.doi:10.1080/09670879309371754.
^Chauhan, N.P.S.; Sawarkar, V.B. (1989). "Problems of over-abundant populations of 'Nilgai' and 'Blackbuck' in Haryana and Madhya Pradesh and their management".The Indian Forester.115 (7):488–493.
_(19726308174).jpg)
