This species was not discovered until 1909 by Ivor Buxton. It was described by Lydekker in 1910. Its name is misleading in that mountian nyalas are more closely related to kudus than to nyalas.
(Huffman, 2001)
Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
Humans have limited the habitat of T. buxtoni. There are currently only some 3000 total in the world, most of them confined to the Bale National Park.
(Nowak, 1999)
US Migratory Bird Act: no special status
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: endangered
There are no adverse effects of this species on humans.
Humans have been known to poach these animals. There is therefore some benefit to humans imparted by these animals, in the form of food and trophies.
Positive Impacts: food
As generalized browsers, mountain nyalas affect many plant populations. They make nutrients from plants available to large carnivores, providing a critical link in food webs.
T. buxtoni generally feeds in the evenings and mornings. Mountain nyalas are browsers, and consume many species of grasses, herbs, and woody plants. They are known to eat shrubs, herbs, St. John's wort, lady's mantle, goosegrass, and plants in the tomato family.
(Massicot, 2001)
Plant Foods: leaves
Primary Diet: herbivore (Folivore )
Tragelaphus buxtoni is found in the highland mountains of Ethiopia. At one time, these animals ranged all over the southeastern mountains of Ethiopia. Currently, the range of T. buxtoni is limited to the Bale massif.
(Kingdon, 1997; Haltenorth et. al., 1977)
Biogeographic Regions: ethiopian (Native )
Mountain nyalas live in woodland, bush, heath, and moorland areas at high altitudes, ranging from 3000 to 4200 meters. During the dry season, T. buxtoni spends time in woodlands, heath, and bush. During the rainy seasons, time is spent at lower elevations in grassland areas.
(Kingdon, 1997)
Range elevation: 3000 to 4200 m.
Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: scrub forest ; mountains
T. buxtoni is estimated to live in the wild for 15 to 20 years.
(Huffman, 2001)
Range lifespan
Status: wild: 15 to 20 years.
T. buxtoni is a large bovid, weighing between 200-225 kg. The head and body length of these animals is 190 to 260 cm.
T. buxtoni has a grey-brown coat with two to five white strips down the flanks, and six to ten body spots. The coats of males darken with age, and have longer hair on the shoulders, neck, and back of thighs than do the coats of females. The coats of females are short and glossy all over. During the cold season, the coat can become shaggy. Calves are yellowish-brown without body strips. Horns, borne only by males, have 1.5 to 2 spirals, and the record length of horns is 188 cm. Ears are large and the tail is bushy and reaches down to the heels.
(Haltenorth, 1977; Kingdon, 1997; Nowak, 1999)
Range mass: 150 to 300 kg.
Range length: 190 to 260 cm.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
The main predator on T. buxtoni is the leopard. However, poaching is another problem they face.
Newborn mountian nyalas use crypsis to evade predation. They lie alonein deep cover until they are large enough to travel with their mother's social unit. (Huffman, 2003)
Leopards, the principle predators of T. buxtoni are active at night, so it is likely that anything else these animals do to evade this predator occurs after dark. The species may have particular sleeping practices, such as sleeping in groups or in protected locations, that help reduce their vulnerability to predation.
Known Predators:
The mating system of this species has not been characterized in the literature, however, based upon characteristics of the species, it is most likely a polygybous breeder. The population is reportedly female baised, with females accounting for over 60% of the non-calf individuals observed. This indicates some level of polygyny. Other correlates of polygyny in this species include sexual dimorphism, with the males being much larger than the females, observed fighting between males, and the larger home range of males than of females. All of these characteristics are common in polygynous species.
(Huffman, 2003).
Mating System: polygynous
Mountain nyalas breed annually, with a peak of breeding occurring in December. Because calves of various sixzes are often present in a herd, it is likely that the actually birthing season is quite long. A female typically gives birth to one calf after a gestation of between 8 and 9 months. Weaning generally occurs around the sixth month. Sexual maturity is reached between 18 and 24 months.
(Kingdon, 1997; Huffman, 2003)
Breeding season: There is a peak in breeding during December.
Range number of offspring: 1 (low) .
Average number of offspring: 1.
Range gestation period: 8 to 9 months.
Average weaning age: 6 months.
Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 18 to 24 months.
Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 18 to 24 months.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (Internal ); viviparous
For the first few weeks of life, calves are often hidden. After that time, calves stay very close to their mothers. Calves remain with their mothers for up to two years at which time female young have already reached sexual maturity and may be pregnant.
Parental care is the responsibility of females only.
(Massicot, 2001)
Parental Investment: altricial ; female parental care ; post-independence association with parents
