| Soemmerring's gazelle[1] | |
|---|---|
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| Soemmerring's gazelle atYangudi Rassa National Park,Ethiopia | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Family: | Bovidae |
| Subfamily: | Antilopinae |
| Tribe: | Antilopini |
| Genus: | Nanger |
| Species: | N. soemmerringii |
| Binomial name | |
| Nanger soemmerringii (Cretzschmar, 1828) | |
| Synonyms | |
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Soemmerring's gazelle (Nanger soemmerringii), also known as theAbyssinian mohr, is agazelle species native to theHorn of Africa (Djibouti,Eritrea,Ethiopia,Somalia andSouth Sudan). The species was first described and given its scientific name by German physicianPhilipp Jakob Cretzschmar in 1828. Three subspecies are recognized. It is possibly no longer present inSudan.
Since 1986, Soemmerring's gazelle has been classified asVulnerable by theInternational Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).[2]
Thescientific name of Soemmerring's gazelle isNanger soemmerringii. Formerly considered a member of the genusGazella within the subgenusNanger beforeNanger was elevated to genus status, Soemmerring's gazelle is a member of the familyBovidae. Thespecies wasdescribed and given its binomial name by German physicianPhilipp Jakob Cretzschmar in theIn Rüppell, Atlas zu der reise im nördlichen Afrika ("Atlas of Rüppell's Travels in Northern Africa"; 1826–28) in 1828. Soemmerring's gazelle is named after German physicianSamuel Thomas von Sömmerring.[1]
Soemmerring's gazelle is closely related toGrant's gazelle (N. granti) andThomson's gazelle (Eudorcas thomsonii).[3]
Traditionally, threesubspecies are recognized:[1][4]
The dwarf population onDahlak Kebir island might also qualify as a subspecies.[4]
Soemmerring's gazelle is a tall gazelle with tan flanks, gradually turning to white on the belly, and long black horns. They are about 75–90 cm (2.5–3.0 ft) at the shoulder, and they weigh 35–45 kg (77-99 lb).
Soemmerring's andGrant's gazelles' outward appearance are so similar, they are often mistaken for each other where their ranges overlap.[5]
Soemmerring's gazelles is native to theHorn of Africa. It lives inDjibouti,Eritrea,Ethiopia,Somalia andSouth Sudan. However, it is extinct inSudan. They inhabit open steppes with brush and acacia, as well as steppes with few trees. At some point in history, a Soemmerring's gazelle population became isolated onDahlak Kebir island in theDahlak Archipelago, where the gazelle actually developed a dwarf form of the larger mainland races.[4]
The diet of the gazelle consists of acacia and bush leaves, grasses, and herbs.
Scientists suggest the males are temporarily territorial. The lifespan for this animal is up to 14 years.[6]
Soemmerring's gazelle is listed as Vulnerable in theIUCN Red List.[2]
In many parts of North Africa and the Middle East, large stone corrals were constructed to drive herds of gazelle into, making for an easy ambush. This method of hunting started in prehistoric time, and continued into the early part of the 20th century.[citation needed]
Most species of gazelles have been hunted for food over the course of history. Soemmerring's gazelles are very understudied due to their small numbers. In parts of their former range they are extirpated due to hunting andhabitat destruction.[2]
