INTRODUCTION
The puku (Kobus vardoni) is one of the many gregarious, grazing ruminants of the world.
However, it is remarkably - perhaps uniquely - plain in its colouration (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/4901764 and https://www.barclaystenner.com/news/2015/3/27/news-2019-a-leopard-hunting-in-the-kalahari).
This plainness is anomalous, because most of the hundreds of species/subspecies of gregarious ruminants have conspicuous colouration, as follows:
The puku is gregarious (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/192705838 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/186871917 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/186521396 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/182460850 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/151233299 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/35174040 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/9476170).
Furthermore, it resembles 'plains game' in that infants tend to hide in the open, rather than in dense vegetation (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/19100546 and https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/photo/baby-puku-royalty-free-image/498500801?phrase=puku+kobus+vardonii&adppopup=true and https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/photo/mom-and-baby-puku-royalty-free-image/560145671?phrase=puku+kobus+vardonii&adppopup=true and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/Puku_female%2C_South_Luangwa.jpg).
However, the colouration of the puku is as plain as that of reedbucks (Redunca arundinum and Redunca redunca, https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=any&subview=map&taxon_id=42303&view=species). The latter - although also grazers - tend to hide in long grass.
(The following shows how similar juvenile males of the puku can be to reedbucks: https://www.alamy.com/male-puku-kobus-vardonii-beside-a-watercourse-in-south-luangwa-national-park-in-zambia-southern-africa-image597926477.html?imageid=FA280C3B-AA27-4B79-A738-F151C0B479A7&p=11309&pn=1&searchId=356726421c3ae41a10ca229beb33e10d&searchtype=0.)
In reedbucks, concealment is facilitated by
Given their ecological nature, it makes sense that reedbucks epitomise the plainest form of cryptic colouration (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crypsis).
By contrast, the puku poses a puzzle: it is a relatively large-bodied, diurnally active, gregarious ruminant of open vegetation, yet retains plain, ostensibly cryptic colouration.
AIMS
The aim of this Post is to scrutinise in detail the various features of colouration of the puku, in search of clues to
RESULTS
I have found various subtle patterns in the pelage of the puku.
These are significant, because they are
In the latter case, the patterns are either
CONSPICUOUS PATTERNS
There is only one conspicuous pattern of colouration in the puku.
Posterior auricular flag
In the puku, the posterior surfaces of the ear pinnae tend to show dark/pale contrast. This is noticeable at some distance, depending on illumination (please bear in mind activation by movement).
close-up:
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-deer-africa-126857135
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/pair-brown-lechwe-antelope-eating-lush-444226501
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/15905462
(video) https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-12992003-puku-sits-on-ground-looks-around-starts
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/183128180
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/194037557
at distances up to 10 meters:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/91942253
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/8373864
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/183467571
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/117597482
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/95744641
at distance:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/186871896
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/66963436
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/65640274
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/19860792
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/14508690
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/194443156
The pale effect on the back-of-ear
The relatively conspicuous pattern on the back-of-ear is particularly noteworthy in view of the lack of an anterior auricular flag in the puku, as follows.
In several members of the same genus as the puku, the pelage on the anterior surfaces of the ear pinnae is white with black accentuation. This makes the ears conspicuous enough to constitute an anterior auricular flag (https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/waterbuck-royalty-free-image/1320026796?phrase=african+impala&adppopup=true and https://www.alamy.com/waterbuck-face-closeup-image332752171.html and https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/photo/close-up-of-the-head-of-a-male-waterbuck-royalty-free-image/1975503406?phrase=waterbuck+male&adppopup=true and https://www.alamy.com/waterbuck-ugandan-kobus-defassa-queen-elizabeth-national-park-uganda-east-africa-image211288540.html?imageid=A807CDC3-FA5F-449C-A396-CB9605239E42&p=39496&pn=1&searchId=9f12497c29def42bf65a512eafff9f8a&searchtype=0).
By contrast, what is noteworthy about the puku is that its front-of-ear is pigmented enough to dull its appearance:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/1186419
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/192639553
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/185294972
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/155452720
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/122317157
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/solitary-male-puku-antelope-kobus-vardonii-1085192051
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/portrait-puku-kobus-vardoni-botswana-8702971
This pigmentation on the front-of-ear detracts from conspicuousness in the same direction - albeit not to the same degree - as in the lion (https://fineartamerica.com/featured/a-lioness-portrait-christopher-miles-carter.html).
INCONSPICUOUS PATTERNS
There are various other patterns in the colouration of the puku. However, all are too faint to qualify as bleezes, flags, or semets.
Dark/pale differentiation between rump and haunch
In the puku, the rump is somewhat darker than the haunches, with a fairly abrupt boundary.
This pattern is
However, the overall effect is that the colouration of the hindquarters (including the tail) is inconspicuous in the puku.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/186614277
second photo in https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/183562322
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/169920283
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/152659359
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/101342161
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/37101247
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/wild-puku-antelope-african-savannah-427182217
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-photographed-bush-zambia-23460037
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/two-puku-standing-side-by-on-555387223
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/139313144
Focussing on the tail:
The tail of the puku is
However, it
The short pelage on the ventral surface of the stalk of the tail is whitish (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/155452668 and https://www.alamy.com/male-puku-kobus-vardonii-luangwa-river-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-image262942470.html?imageid=1FB3D27C-3E34-4ABC-AD36-0814241AC370&p=1507&pn=1&searchId=356726421c3ae41a10ca229beb33e10d&searchtype=0). This is clearest in infancy, when the tail is proportionately broadest.
The tassel, which is small, is individually variable with pale (https://www.alamy.com/puku-kobus-vardonii-in-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-puku-south-luangwa-national-park-zambia-image554644989.html?imageid=B31F5794-B219-40B5-8D1D-B007CA50AA3F&p=2184918&pn=1&searchId=0337d514369a51a3cfcf9db06baf1312&searchtype=0) and dark (https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photography-female-puku-antelope-kobus-vardonii-botswana-image15290942).
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/102712875
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/68351135
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/66771524
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/45088744
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/9364514
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/487719
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/1240854
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/195943984
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/188818383
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/187660690
As in other reduncins, the tail is raised by the puku during defecation/micturition (https://th2ombre.files.wordpress.com/2023/06/africa-23-jpegs-1391-1.jpg and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/150954031 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/3931509).
However, this does not expose any conspicuous colouration in the case of the puku.
Dark/pale pattern on the feet
In the puku, the pasterns tend to be pale.
However, there is no dark/pale contrast, because the fetlocks lack the darkness seen in the kob (Kobus kob, https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/90862-kobus-kob-kob-as-the-west-and-central-african-counterpart-for-the-common-impala-aepyceros-melampus-part-1#).
For this reason, the puku - unlike the kob - lacks a pedal flag.
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/puku-kobus-vardonii-senganus-male-standing-1707732895 and https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/impala-aepyceros-melampus-huge-male-staying-1536369902
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/young-male-puku-antelope-kobus-vardonii-743835292
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/solitary-male-puku-antelope-kobus-vardonii-1085192069
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/solitary-female-puku-antelope-kobus-vardonii-1085192057
to be continued in https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/91153-adaptive-colouration-in-the-puku-kobus-vardoni-an-anomalously-plain-coloured-grazer-part-2#....
Comentarios
Maximum expression of dark on anterior surfaces of the legs in the puku:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/194015191
https://www.alamy.com/puku-kobus-vardonii-male-in-south-luangwa-national-park-in-eastern-zambia-image344311864.html
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/172736928
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/photo/puku-luangwa-national-park-zambia-habitat-is-royalty-free-image/128122826?phrase=puku+kobus+vardonii&adppopup=true
Alcelaphus lichtensteini?:
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/african-deer-with-child-at-the-meadow-gm1206209082-347787594?searchscope=image%2Cfilm
Cervus nippon
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/a-girl-feeding-cute-spotted-deer-bambi-at-petting-zoo-happy-traveler-girl-enjoys-gm1353069111-428279592?searchscope=image%2Cfilm
Additional worthwhile photos of Kobus vardoni:
Third photo in https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/44991273
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/9475952
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/9474833
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/192705796
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/192612417
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/192612411
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/189353126
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/184685038
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/182837954
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/182712572
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/165133575
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/45434286
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/44991836
posterior auricular flag in adult male https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/44914389
stifle-fold https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/37295859
prepuce https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/21283832
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/4522515
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/1185784
WALKING GAITS IN KOBUS VARDONI
semi cross-walk
https://www.flickr.com/photos/daleharding/51186822759
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/138929660
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/123281352
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/122316152
second photo in https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/65726225
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcottis/51165195643/
https://www.alamy.com/puku-kobus-vardonii-in-kafue-national-park-zambia-puku-kafue-national-park-zambia-image554645931.html?imageid=60DB0550-896E-4DC3-A25A-C6A6DB2009E9&p=2184918&pn=2&searchId=cd244ebf5432c4191236edc6287a8da0&searchtype=0
amble
scroll to 9th photo in https://www.bhs-safari.co/blog-posts/the-worlds-largest-mammal-migration-kasanka-national-park
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/182712598
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/135439882
https://caritaaarnio.photoshelter.com/image/I0000BRynYTQ83_4
Odocoileus virginianus
https://www.e-know.ca/travel-tourism/deer-rear/
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/4901764
Damaliscus lunatus jimela stotting
https://www.wildlifephotographybyakm.com/photo_16122651.html
Conspicuous features of colouration in Redunca fulvorufula fulvorufula:
https://www.naturepl.com/stock-photo-mountain-reedbuck-redunca-fulvorufula-two-females-kwa-zulu-natal-nature-image01160396.html
https://sdzsafaripark.org/sites/default/files/2020-11/disabilities_hearing_packet-c_0.pdf
Kobus kob thomasi, showing colouration of a) ear pinnae, b) tail, and c) neck and throat (the latter being sexual dimorphic):
https://www.pond5.com/stock-footage/item/100851703-ugandan-kobs-mating
https://www.alamy.com/uganda-kob-kobus-kob-thomasi-family-male-female-and-young-queen-elizabeth-national-park-uganda-image544060274.html
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-male-female-uganda-kob-kobus-kob-thomasi-murchison-falls-national-49254140.html
https://www.peterflack.co.za/hunt-conservation-red-lechwe/
PEDAL FLAGS IN OTHER SPP. OF KOBUS
The lechwe (Kobus leche) possesses a pedal flag:
https://www.dreamstime.com/small-herd-kafue-flats-lechwe-kobus-leche-kafuensis-graze-green-grass-image286435442
This is better-developed than that of the kob (Kobus kob).
Waterbucks lack a pedal flag (despite a residual/incipient pattern):
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-waterbuck-antelope-savanna-tsavo-national-park-kenya-image86303914
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-two-waterbuck-antelope-kobus-ellipsiprymnus-large-found-widely-sub-saharan-africa-image94661667
Litocranius walleri
https://kathykarn.com/blog/gerenuk
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