| Red gazelle[1] | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Family: | Bovidae |
| Subfamily: | Antilopinae |
| Tribe: | Antilopini |
| Genus: | Eudorcas |
| Species: | E. rufina |
| Binomial name | |
| Eudorcas rufina (Thomas, 1894) | |
| Synonyms | |
Gazella rufina | |
Thered gazelle (Eudorcas rufina) is anextinct species or subspecies ofgazelle. It was formerly considered a member of the genusGazella within the subgenusEudorcas beforeEudorcas was promoted to a full genus. It is thought to have lived in the better-watered mountain areas ofNorth Africa rather than indeserts,because of the rich colouring on the coat.
There are no records of the red gazelle in the wild.[2] It is known from three specimens purchased in markets inAlgiers andOran, northern Algeria, in the late 19th century. They are held inmuseums inParis andLondon. Some authorities, such as Jonathan Kingdon, consider it asubspecies of thered-fronted gazelle (E. rufifrons orG. rufifrons).[3] In 2008, K. de Smet reported one of the three specimens had proved on examination to beE. rufifrons, leading theIUCN Red List to revise its assessment of the species fromExtinct toData Deficient on the basis of doubts as to the validity of the taxon.[2] The red-fronted gazelle occurs in theSudanian savanna ecoregion, south of the Sahara. The red gazelle occurred north of the Sahara, thereby representing a distinct population irrespective of its species or subspecies status.
The red gazelle is described as larger than the red-fronted gazelle, with heavier hooves, and distinctive bright red-brown fur. It is characterized to have thin (2.5–4 cm wide) black stripes across its flanks, in between its rear and front legs. The top of the head, cheeks, and sides of the neck are a pale whitish color, while the undersides and rump are a plain white colour. The center of its face is bordered on both side by pale streaks running from the eyes to the snout. It has a rufous tail with a black tip.[4]
