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Social biology of bushbuck ( Tragelaphus scriptus Pallas 1776) in the Nairobi National Park, Kenya

Social biology of bushbuck ( Tragelaphus scriptus Pallas 1776) in the Nairobi National Park, Kenya Summary A study to investigate some aspects of the social biology of bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus Pallas 1776) was carried out in a 2.59 km2 study area in the Nairobi National Park, Kenya. Observations throughout 1966 using binoculars and photography identified thirty‐one male and thirty‐three female bushbuck. Together with an estimated fourteen juveniles, the density in the study area was 30.1/km2. Distribution is aggregated with loose family groups concentrating around forest edge areas near to dams or river pools. Home ranges varied from 20 ha for sub‐adult males to 5 ha for adult males and 2.5 ha for females. Bushbuck are predominantly solitary with 53.7% of all sightings being of lone animals; 14% of associations were of an adult female with a single calf and the commonest adult association (8%) was a single male with a single female. There is a strong mother‐young relationship. Very young calves lie in concealment away from the mother during the early days of their lives. Agonistic encounters between males vary in intensity from play fighting in sub‐adults to lateral intimidation display and overt conflict. The presence of a female, assumed to be in oestrous, sometimes stimulates males to intense aggression and at such times, a single male forms and defends a mating association with the female. Territorial defence was not observed. Bushbuck often associate with other species, particularly impala and baboons. They show a negative reaction to tick‐birds which may be one reason for their often having heavy infestations of ticks and flies. Predator avoidance relies largely on crypsis and ‘freezing’ followed by rapid flight through dense vegetation. Résumé Une étude pour approfondir quelques aspects de la biologie sociale du Guib harnaché (Tragelaphus scriptus Pallas 1776) fut entreprise sur une surface de recherche de 2.59 km2 au Parc National de Nairobi, Kenya. Tout au long de 1966, des observations faites aux jumelles et par photographies, ont permis d'identifier 31 mâles et 33 femelles de Guib. Avec une estimation de 14 juvéniles, la densité dans la zone d'étude est de 30.1/km2. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png African Journal of Ecology Wiley

Social biology of bushbuck ( Tragelaphus scriptus Pallas 1776) in the Nairobi National Park, Kenya

African Journal of Ecology , Volume 16 (3) – Sep 1, 1978

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References (33)

Publisher
Wiley
Copyright
Copyright © 1978 Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company
ISSN
0141-6707
eISSN
1365-2028
DOI
10.1111/j.1365-2028.1978.tb00436.x
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Summary A study to investigate some aspects of the social biology of bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus Pallas 1776) was carried out in a 2.59 km2 study area in the Nairobi National Park, Kenya. Observations throughout 1966 using binoculars and photography identified thirty‐one male and thirty‐three female bushbuck. Together with an estimated fourteen juveniles, the density in the study area was 30.1/km2. Distribution is aggregated with loose family groups concentrating around forest edge areas near to dams or river pools. Home ranges varied from 20 ha for sub‐adult males to 5 ha for adult males and 2.5 ha for females. Bushbuck are predominantly solitary with 53.7% of all sightings being of lone animals; 14% of associations were of an adult female with a single calf and the commonest adult association (8%) was a single male with a single female. There is a strong mother‐young relationship. Very young calves lie in concealment away from the mother during the early days of their lives. Agonistic encounters between males vary in intensity from play fighting in sub‐adults to lateral intimidation display and overt conflict. The presence of a female, assumed to be in oestrous, sometimes stimulates males to intense aggression and at such times, a single male forms and defends a mating association with the female. Territorial defence was not observed. Bushbuck often associate with other species, particularly impala and baboons. They show a negative reaction to tick‐birds which may be one reason for their often having heavy infestations of ticks and flies. Predator avoidance relies largely on crypsis and ‘freezing’ followed by rapid flight through dense vegetation. Résumé Une étude pour approfondir quelques aspects de la biologie sociale du Guib harnaché (Tragelaphus scriptus Pallas 1776) fut entreprise sur une surface de recherche de 2.59 km2 au Parc National de Nairobi, Kenya. Tout au long de 1966, des observations faites aux jumelles et par photographies, ont permis d'identifier 31 mâles et 33 femelles de Guib. Avec une estimation de 14 juvéniles, la densité dans la zone d'étude est de 30.1/km2.

Journal

African Journal of EcologyWiley

Published: Sep 1, 1978

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