Biology
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A grazing animal, Lichtenstein's hartebeest depends almost exclusively on grasses for food (4). Its long, slender snout may allow it to select better quality leaves from amongst the poorer quality, wiry grasses prevalent in its habitat (7). It may also have digestive adaptations allowing it to get greater benefit from these poorer quality grasses (7). Interestingly, it seems to prefer grasses and vegetation that have been burnt (3). It is strongly dependent on the availability of a surface water source, drinking daily (3), hence its preference for areas of high rainfall and waterlogged ground (3) (7). While some nocturnal feeding does take place, it is mostly active during the cooler periods of the day, in the morning and late afternoon (3) (4).
Herds consist of either non-territorial, bachelor males, or a single, territorial adult male and six or seven adult females along with their offspring (4). The territorial adults occupy an area of around 2.5 square kilometres, usually incorporating better quality grazing and forcing the bachelor herds to inhabit the less suitable grazing areas (4). Territorial males will fiercely defend their territory, with the ensuing fights often leaving the animals wounded, occasionally resulting in death (3).
At 16 to 18 months the females become sexually mature and leave the parent herd to join the herd of a territorial male. Breeding is seasonal, with most births taking place during the dry season around August (3) (7). After a gestation period of 240 days, the calves are born, and at this time, as an anti-predator mechanism, the territorial system may dissolve, leading to much larger herds. As a further protection against predation, births take place at roughly the same time within the herd (3). Interestingly, the mother, while grazing or drinking, makes little attempt to conceal her calf; it is simply bedded down in the open (3).
Conservation
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While no specific conservation measures exist at the present time, in the 1980s, efforts were made to introduce the species into National Parks in Zimbabwe and South Africa. In Kruger National Park, South Africa over 100 captive-bred animals were released in the period 1990 to 1994. Subsequent monitoring in the period 1995 to 1998 revealed that a population of about 40 individuals still survived there (5). Large, stable populations do exist in parts of Tanzania and Zambia, with populations in these countries recorded during 1998 at over 25,940 and 9,710 respectively (5). One notable conservation success story has been the North Luangwa Conservation Project in Zambia, where strong law enforcement measures managed to help discourage poaching from the North Luangwa National Park, an area which supports a large population of Lichtenstein's hartebeest (5) (8). The future of Lichtenstein's hartebeest would seem positive, so long as protective measures in National Parks and Game Reserves are enforced, so that larger populations remain stable (5).
Description
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Once the most widespread of all hartebeest, this distinctive antelope was found throughout much of southern Africa (3). Like its relative, the common hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus), Lichtenstein's hartebeest has a long, slender head, elongated, pointed ears, long legs and a reasonably bulky body, with the shoulders set higher than the rump (4). In contrast with the diversity of colouring found between the subspecies of common hartebeest, coat colour varies little between individuals of this species. It is generally a yellow-fawn or pale reddish-fawn, with a darker “saddle” area extending from the base of the tail, across the back to the shoulders (3) (4). The flanks and, in particular, the rump are lighter in colour, while the lower legs are also generally pale except for a black stripe running down the front (2) (4). The horns of Lichtenstein's hartebeest are distinctly ringed, except at the tips, and curve back from the head in an S-shape (3) (4). This species is notable for making an unusual “sneeze-snort” alarm call that serves to warn other herd members of danger (3).
Habitat
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Lichtenstein's hartebeest inhabits open woodland, preferring short to medium length grass cover and avoiding longer grasses. It favours flatter areas prone to seasonal waterlogging (7).
Range
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It is likely that populations of Lichtenstein's hartebeest once found stretched from western and southern regions of Tanzania all the way down to northern parts of South Africa (5). Today, however, populations are scattered, with substantial populations only found within Tanzania and Zambia. It is also present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi and Mozambique and populations have been reintroduced to Zimbabwe and South Africa (5). The species is sadly extinct in Burundi and Swaziland (6) and, though it is still uncertain, it is likely that it is now also extinct in Angola (5).
Status
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Classified as Lower Risk /Conservation Dependent (LR/cd) on the IUCN Red List (1).
Threats
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The main threat to Lichtenstein's hartebeest is uncontrolled hunting for its meat. Along with habitat degradation, this has led to the dramatic decrease in its range and extinction in certain areas, such as Burundi (1) (7). Despite many of the remaining populations of Lichtenstein's hartebeest being found in protected areas, such as Game Reserves and National Parks, poor enforcement of protective measures has meant that in some places poaching remains a significant problem (5).
Lichtenstein's hartebeest
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Lichtenstein's hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus lichtensteinii)[2] is a subspecies of the hartebeest antelope that dwells in savannahs and floodplains of Southeastern[3]-Central Africa. It is sometimes classified as a unique species, Sigmoceros lichtensteinii.
It derives its name from zoologist Martin Lichtenstein.
Description
It typically stands about 1.25 m (4.1 ft) at the shoulder and have a mass of around 150 kg (330 lb). It has a red-brown colour, which is lighter on the underbelly. The horns found on both sexes appear from the side to be shaped like the letter 'S', and appear from the front to be shaped like the letter 'O' with its upper portions missing. The horns are slightly ridged and reach over 0.5 m (1.6 ft) in length.
Behavior
They live on areas where they eat grasses. They are diurnal (active in the day). They gather in herds of five to 15 females and calves with a single male, which leads them. The male stands sentry duty on termite mounds and the like. Males hold large territories, which they mark by digging up soil with their horns around the borders. Lichtenstein's hartebeest have good eyesight but a poor sense of smell. Their main sounds are a bellow and a sneeze-snort sound.
They travel in herds. Herds are mainly kept between 1-10 individuals (89% of all LH in Tanzania have been within 1-10 animals. The herd may be composed of more than 10 individuals but it is seldom. (Booth 1985). It is noted that the highest number of Lichtenstein's Hartebeest congregating together occur in August/September. The exact reason is unknown however this is primarily when most calves are born. Add in local migration from other herds and it may a form of anti predator grouping to protect newborn calves. However, Bachelor males are often found alone countering the herd mentality (Dowsett 1966; Wilson 1966; Rodgers 1977). Bachelor bulls do not establish territories while solitary bulls will exclude others from their domain (Dowsett 1966). The ratio of male to female LH is 1:2.37.
Lichtenstein's Hartebeest are very territorial mammals and there is no overlap in territories between bulls. The rutting period (breeding season) runs typically from mid October to January, although slight variations exist between different locations (Dowsett 1966). Bachelor bulls will often challenge alpha bulls until the point of complete exhaustion to take over the related female LHs. There are numerous stereotyped behaviour patterns in the repertoire of the genus Alcephalus that are directly associated with territorial defence (von Richter 1972). Amongst these, pawing and homing the earth are the most conspicuous. In Zimbabwe the most conspicuous body movements were the 'head-to-flank', in which the head is rubbed against the shoulder, and a 'head-flagging' movement in which the hartebeest shook its head up and down vigorously when alarmed. Hartebeests mark their territory by forming dung piles in their respective territories.
References
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Lichtenstein's hartebeest: Brief Summary
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Lichtenstein's hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus lichtensteinii) is a subspecies of the hartebeest antelope that dwells in savannahs and floodplains of Southeastern-Central Africa. It is sometimes classified as a unique species, Sigmoceros lichtensteinii.
It derives its name from zoologist Martin Lichtenstein.
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- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
