Ourebia ourebi is widespread in African savannas (https://animalia.bio/oribi and http://elelur.com/data_images/mammals/oribi/oribi-03.jpg and https://parody.fandom.com/wiki/Oribi?file=Oribi.jpg and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDq-rtTFUyM and https://kenyacradle.com/oribi-antelope-in-kenya/ and https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Brenda-Daly/publication/282183812_Oribi_antelope_Ourebia_ourebi_population_and_habitat_viability_assessment/links/560685af08ae5e8e3f346be0/Oribi-antelope-Ourebia-ourebi-population-and-habitat-viability-assessment.pdf).
The subspecies of O. ourebi (https://africatrophyhunting.com/plains-category/oribi-southern-africa/) remain putative, and unconfirmed by taxonomists.
However, at first sight it would seem that these various forms of Ourebia are of trivial importance, beyond the usual geographical variation, seen in any widespread species.
The aim of this Post is to show that there is a geographical pattern in the adaptive colouration of the species, with the southern African sspp. more conspicuous than those in eastern, north-central, and West Africa.
The basis of my argument is as follows.
In O. ourebi in general, the colouration is inconspicuous, overall (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/38422719).
This makes sense for a small-bodied antelope, living mainly in monogamous pairs, in grassland tall enough to provide some cover, at least while the animals are lying down.
The particular type of inconspicuous colouration, seen in O. ourebi, is crypsis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crypsis).
This means that the pale underparts serve as countershading, and there are no dark/pale contrasts of sufficient scale to draw attention to the figure, at the ranges relevant to scanning by predators.
However, the following view (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/67132059) shows that the colouration of O. oribi can have an extremely conspicuous aspect.
Ourebia ourebi tends to be diurnally active, suggesting that its strategy is not simply furtive.
Furthermore, it differs from most other bambis (https://www.inaturalist.org/posts/53647-the-bambis-part-1-introduction-to-the-category-of-diminutive-ruminants) in stotting (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stotting) when alarmed by the approach of potential predators.
This is a form of self-advertisement by means of an exuberant gait, somewhat accentuated by a certain pattern of dark/pale contrast on and near the tail. The tail is usually raised and wagged during running (including stotting), which is unlike most other small antilopin bovids.
The following (https://www.gesser-images.com/imagebank/africa/other-mammals/bohor-reedbuck/bohor-reedbuck-002-_dm31049/) shows stotting in O. ourebi cottoni, here mislabelled as Redunca.
The following (https://www.gesser-images.com/imagebank/africa/other-mammals/bohor-reedbuck/bohor-reedbuck-001-_dm31043/) shows the same individual, standing in alarm.
What I have noticed is that two southern sspp. of O. ourebi have pelage with a greater degree and extent of dark/pale contrast than that seen in the other sspp.
The southern African sspp., namely Ourebia ourebi ourebi and Ourebia ourebi rutila, have three features that tend to make the figure somewhat conspicuous.
These are as follows:
The differences between the southern African sspp. of O. ourebi and all other sspp. are such that the former can usually be recognised, at a glance, in photos.
The diagnostic features are:
The difference is illustrated by the following photo-pair:
Another view:
In posteriolateral view, the comparison is:
The darkness of the tail shows a clear geographical trend, within O. ourebi, as follows:
Another easily overlooked difference is that the pelage on the underside of the tail is
COMPENDIUM OF PHOTOS, BY SUBSPECIES
I have chosen the following photos to show figures in the following postures/gaits:
SOUTH AFRICA
ssp. ourebi
https://twitter.com/SpekeUgholidays/status/1315981183625420804/photo/1
http://elelur.com/data_images/mammals/oribi/oribi-01.jpg
https://www.dreamstime.com/oribioribi-sprinting-across-savannah-slightly-longer-shutters-speed-to-capture-motion-oribi-sprinting-across-image143323292
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/68999800
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/51108309
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/10675738
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/75347518
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/98375681
https://www.heyndekockphotography.com/Mammals/Antelopes-Cattle-Sheep-allies/Oribi-Ourebia-ourebi/i-cH453Bh
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/103241509
https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/389606/view/female-oribi
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/100711449
scroll in https://www.forestrysouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Oribi-Case-Study-PRINT-VERSION.pdf
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/oribi-ourebia-ourebi-mlilwane-roger-de-la-harpe.html
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/18553208
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/7026110
https://oxpeckers.org/2016/09/oribis/
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/3-oribi-ourebia-ourebi-mlilwane-roger-de-la-harpe.html
http://elelur.com/data_images/mammals/oribi/oribi-05.jpg
scroll in http://www.lategansafaris.com/project/oribi/
https://www.alamy.com/female-oribi-gorge-nature-reserve-kwazulu-natal-south-africa-image360755992.html?imageid=6DE2BF8C-90E5-4307-BDF0-B46358254D86&p=311300&pn=1&searchId=3066f7aee4fda0c5aa30eb635704b2fc&searchtype=0
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/1969648
ZAMBIA and BOTSWANA
ssp. rutila
Scroll in https://kajhalberg.dk/en/countries/bangweulu-where-water-meets-the-sky/
https://sevenseasmedia.org/unesco-designates-11-new-biosphere-reserves/#jp-carousel-60667
https://www.alamy.com/oribi-ourebia-ourebi-female-standing-up-kafue-national-park-zambia-image65792158.html?imageid=7E4B70A5-BC2F-4443-B113-8763DCE2E16C&p=8586&pn=1&searchId=3066f7aee4fda0c5aa30eb635704b2fc&searchtype=0
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/84286001
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/58138430
https://www.africaguide.com/photolibrary/index.php?ItemID=2695
https://www.safaribookings.com/liuwa-plain/wildlife-photos#photo21
https://zimfieldguide.com/matabeleland-north/kazuma-pan-national-park
https://www.alamy.com/oribi-ourebia-ourebi-female-standing-up-licking-hind-quarters-kafue-image65792155.html?imageid=6B4D8B7D-5DEF-4AF4-AC38-80CCBBFFE65F&p=8586&pn=1&searchId=3066f7aee4fda0c5aa30eb635704b2fc&searchtype=0
https://www.gettyimages.ie/detail/photo/oribi-jumping-side-view-of-deer-standing-on-field-royalty-free-image/1357742903?adppopup=true
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/oribi-on-liuwa-plains-zambia-africa-207589486
https://www.agefotostock.com/age/en/details-photo/oribi-ourebia-ourebi-liuwa-plain-national-park-western-province-zambia/IBR-3816413
https://www.alamy.com/oribi-ourebia-ourebi-female-standing-up-kafue-national-park-zambia-image65792158.html?imageid=7E4B70A5-BC2F-4443-B113-8763DCE2E16C&p=8586&pn=1&searchId=d592d238c126347ec4d3725c2a7bbfc9&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-oribi-ourebia-ourebi-kafue-national-park-zambia-11846016.html?imageid=1846847D-B7C6-4BE5-B814-A0BA64C63090&p=74587&pn=3&searchId=b18d9220987fab88ffb57be4cfa504ab&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-oribi-ourebia-ourebi-kafue-national-park-zambia-11846016.html
https://www.facebook.com/AfricaThroughMyLens/photos/a.330884263663209/714913141926984/
https://www.alamy.com/lichtensteins-hartebeest-alcelaphus-lichtensteini-and-oribi-ourebia-ourebi-kafue-national-park-zambia-image264898752.html?imageid=9783B8E1-CE46-4CAD-9068-965F6E9944D1&p=19327&pn=1&searchId=b51320e4aa8f23d8475c9a13e60a54fb&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/male-of-oribi-ourebia-ourebi-in-busanga-plains-kafue-national-park-zambia-image255266996.html?imageid=F6D79E81-E8D7-4EA2-A273-615A9FF2701F&p=18997&pn=1&searchId=b51320e4aa8f23d8475c9a13e60a54fb&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/male-of-oribi-ourebia-ourebi-in-busanga-plains-kafue-national-park-zambia-image255267005.html?imageid=9E40167C-8769-4288-96FA-B50C54C5B2C0&p=18997&pn=1&searchId=b51320e4aa8f23d8475c9a13e60a54fb&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/male-of-oribi-ourebia-ourebi-in-busanga-plains-kafue-national-park-zambia-image255267047.html?imageid=71E4F700-71C3-4332-88F1-07852980428A&p=18997&pn=1&searchId=b51320e4aa8f23d8475c9a13e60a54fb&searchtype=0
MOZAMBIQUE and MALAWI
ssp. hastata
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/8e/cf/96/8ecf96e739b0d09d74ddae7ce59fef4c.jpg
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/51195346
https://www.zambezedeltasafaris.com/species/oribi/
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/131699606
scroll in https://africawild-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=162
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/oribi-running-through-bush-malawi-1420640690
https://www.alamy.com/oribi-running-through-bush-in-malawi-image255562603.html?imageid=0983F6CA-9911-4131-B8EF-5ADB6BB8D403&p=277493&pn=1&searchId=6e3004646ddf61bb55b9570a8b67e3c5&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/oribi-running-through-bush-in-malawi-image255562671.html?imageid=D2D129CD-0AC4-4CAD-84D0-209AF580EB51&p=277493&pn=1&searchId=6e3004646ddf61bb55b9570a8b67e3c5&searchtype=0
TANZANIA, KENYA, and UGANDA
ssp. cottoni/masakensis
https://www.freepik.com/premium-photo/impala-antelope-murchison-falls-national-park-uganda-africa_14567633.htm
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/oribi-buck-ii-gm1173139041-325722248?phrase=oribi
https://www.gettyimages.ie/detail/photo/oribi-antelope-royalty-free-image/1193923348?adppopup=true
https://www.alamy.com/oribi-ourebia-ourebi-male-at-a-kopje-serengeti-national-park-tanzania-image462237216.html?imageid=6B66D5F5-0A98-412F-AFA1-061BFAB156DE&p=35179&pn=1&searchId=3066f7aee4fda0c5aa30eb635704b2fc&searchtype=0
https://p-upload.facebook.com/tzparks/posts/4561588743911695
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/18852137
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/99562392
https://www.alamy.com/oribi-ourebia-ourebi-male-leaping-through-grass-serengeti-national-park-tanzania-image462237219.html?imageid=10307BD2-98B6-4BF6-A1E0-BA33D82D1625&p=35179&pn=1&searchId=3066f7aee4fda0c5aa30eb635704b2fc&searchtype=0
https://www.agefotostock.com/age/en/details-photo/oribi-ourebia-ourebi-11-12-2005-in-masai-mara-game-reserve-kenya/AAM-AAES68549
https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=oribi&asset_id=220255644
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/108249907
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/104511670
https://parody.fandom.com/wiki/Oribi?file=Male-oribi-.jpg
https://www.alamy.com/africa-kenya-northern-serengeti-plains-maasai-mara-oribi-wild-ourebia-ourebi-in-grass-habitat-the-sole-member-of-its-genus-image387309402.html
https://www.agefotostock.com/age/en/details-photo/oribi-ourebia-ourebi-masai-mara-national-reserve-kenya-side-view/FNL-3329640
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/100799069
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/38204111
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/32868111
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/32866222
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/60838053
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/84515678
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/60838048
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/100994247
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/58318640
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/100413082
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/33557962
https://stock.adobe.com/images/oribi-ourebia-ourebi-murchison-falls-national-park-uganda/471542581?as_campaign=ftmigration2&as_channel=dpcft&as_campclass=brand&as_source=ft_web&as_camptype=acquisition&as_audience=users&as_content=closure_asset-detail-page
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/100413076
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/100406522
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-female-oribi-in-the-northern-serengeti-125863317.html?imageid=7E57F6A1-9093-405A-97DE-830F18C9C806&p=149870&pn=1&searchId=3066f7aee4fda0c5aa30eb635704b2fc&searchtype=0
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/oribi-ourebia-ourebi-1243168594
https://pixels.com/featured/oribi-ourebia-ourebi-liz-leyden.html
https://www.picfair.com/pics/08479343-oribi-ourebia-ourebi
scroll in http://inforanickle.com/tanzania---ungulates-parts-1-2--canines.html
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-oribi-ourebia-ourebi-serengeti-national-park-tanzania-31375694.html?imageid=260EEACA-2282-447A-931C-9A048184D135&p=22059&pn=1&searchId=d592d238c126347ec4d3725c2a7bbfc9&searchtype=0
SUDAN and NORTHERN UGANDA
ssp. aequatoria
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/oribi-antelope-kidepo-uganda-gm1333977829-416279111?phrase=oribi%2Bourebia%2Bourebi%2Bwild%2Bin%2Buganda
https://www.alamy.com/oribi-ourebia-ourebi-kidepo-valley-national-park-uganda-image239682441.html?imageid=E52FF64C-28A0-41FC-A0A4-83A051FAD992&p=22059&pn=1&searchId=d592d238c126347ec4d3725c2a7bbfc9&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/oribi-ourebia-ourebi-kidepo-valley-national-park-uganda-image239682510.html?imageid=709434DD-DBFE-4793-864B-83FAC66C2086&p=22059&pn=1&searchId=d592d238c126347ec4d3725c2a7bbfc9&searchtype=0
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/86287375
https://www.alamy.com/oribi-antelope-ourebia-ourebi-kidepo-valley-national-park-uganda-image356457472.html?imageid=0D15B3E2-3D6A-496D-8104-94DEF312154D&p=16403&pn=1&searchId=d592d238c126347ec4d3725c2a7bbfc9&searchtype=0
scroll in https://www.wildcru.org/news/divergent-wildlife-conservation/
ETHIOPIA
ssp. montana/gallarum
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/39034124
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/40592208
https://www.flickr.com/photos/timmelling/7055960347
https://www.safaribookings.com/senkele-swaynes/photos#photo11
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-oribi-ourebia-ourebi-ethiopia-22531323.html
https://www.mindenpictures.com/stock-photo/oribi-%28ourebia-ourebi-montana%29-senkelle-swaynes-hartebeest-sanctuary-ethiopia/search/detail-0_90761203.html
https://www.alamy.com/cute-oribi-antelope-ethiopia-africa-wildlife-image402439369.html?imageid=E1684414-B51D-44FD-960A-5D1E265B6728&p=336163&pn=1&searchId=3066f7aee4fda0c5aa30eb635704b2fc&searchtype=0
https://www.flickr.com/photos/timmelling/7055956567/in/photostream/
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-oribi-ourebia-ourebi-senkele-game-sanctuary-ethiopia-85939025.html?imageid=F2D82932-3793-4F14-B8EB-A3FE31FE97A8&p=22059&pn=1&searchId=d592d238c126347ec4d3725c2a7bbfc9&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-oribi-ourebia-ourebi-senkele-game-sanctuary-ethiopia-85939028.html?imageid=CE3E80E0-A775-4EDF-A443-6FD2A352C65C&p=22059&pn=2&searchId=36695cc759b1b62311880edd0de78966&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-oribi-ourebia-ourebi-senkele-game-sanctuary-ethiopia-85939020.html?imageid=196410E8-D7DC-4A8B-BCDB-87EE6CA59E2D&p=22059&pn=2&searchId=36695cc759b1b62311880edd0de78966&searchtype=0
CHAD and CAMEROON
ssp. dorcas
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/17940997
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/77266905
WEST AFRICA
ssp. quadriscopa
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/49539984
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8834404@N02/2403821582/
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/8490606
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/114424985
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/67004321
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/33442601
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/8490596
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/3823999
Σχόλια
http://elelur.com/mammals/oribi.html
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282183812_Oribi_antelope_Ourebia_ourebi_population_and_habitat_viability_assessment
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Distribution-records-for-Oribi-Ourebia-ourebi-ourebi-within-the-assessment-region_fig1_336848153
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Geographic-distribution-of-research-participants-relative-to-distribution-of-oribi_fig1_349602833
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/13-Oribi-populations-in-South-Africa-were-used-in-the-Vortex-model_fig2_282183812
https://dewetswild.com/2015/01/13/the-oribi/oribi-9/
https://www.safaribookings.com/senkele-swaynes/photos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBDdhHUniMU
https://oribihaven.co.za/kasouga-cattle-small-game/
https://dewetswild.com/2015/01/13/the-oribi/oribi-9/
https://brendanryanbirds.com/the-little-guys/
https://www.lakatosafaris.com/the-oribi/
https://www.alamy.com/oribi-in-queen-elizabeth-national-park-uganda-east-africa-image3764505.html?imageid=6B6C8DFA-C8F9-430A-A80D-8F9C39A35A66&p=6945&pn=1&searchId=f296cb8d3043f5ad05efcaa8d3202c68&searchtype=0
Hint of pedal flag
https://www.alamy.com/oribi-ourebia-ourebi-murchison-falls-national-park-uganda-image239726666.html?imageid=8E7DCBEB-CA6B-4657-BA96-718F12A800C9&p=22059&pn=1&searchId=3066f7aee4fda0c5aa30eb635704b2fc&searchtype=0
https://stock.adobe.com/search/images?filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aphoto%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aillustration%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Azip_vector%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Avideo%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Atemplate%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3A3d%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aaudio%5D=0&filters%5Binclude_stock_enterprise%5D=0&filters%5Bis_editorial%5D=0&filters%5Bfree_collection%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aimage%5D=1&k=oribi&order=relevance&safe_search=1&limit=100&search_page=2&get_facets=0&search_type=pagination&asset_id=220255610
Then following (https://www.alamy.com/oribi-ourebia-ourebi-female-bale-mountains-national-park-ethiopia-image154471600.html?imageid=4F479ACC-B5B2-442E-B103-BBC4FF6D6400&p=5264&pn=1&searchId=3066f7aee4fda0c5aa30eb635704b2fc&searchtype=0) is mislabelled as Ourebia. I show it here because this species, Redunca redunca, is one of the best examples of cryptic colouration among ungulates.
Scroll in https://www.mammalwatching.com/2021/10/03/uganda-2021/
Detailed view of auricular semet in Ourebia: https://www.alamy.com/oribi-murchison-falls-national-park-uganda-ourebia-ourebi-image366004821.html?imageid=64357D15-105D-4E54-BCBD-3F36F3E44BFF&p=154309&pn=1&searchId=41dff911d16bad30a41522fe40f0ff14&searchtype=0
https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=oribi&asset_id=28047778
https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=oribi&asset_id=463078950
https://stock.adobe.com/search/images?filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aphoto%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aillustration%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Azip_vector%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Avideo%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Atemplate%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3A3d%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aaudio%5D=0&filters%5Binclude_stock_enterprise%5D=0&filters%5Bis_editorial%5D=0&filters%5Bfree_collection%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aimage%5D=1&k=oribi&order=relevance&safe_search=1&limit=100&search_page=2&get_facets=0&search_type=pagination&asset_id=456774212
https://www.krugerpark.co.za/kruger-park-news-oribi-translocated-to-suitable-reserves-25602.html
https://www.sanparks.org/assets/docs/conservation/scientific_new/savanna/ssnm2016/have-relocations-been-a-successful-management-tool-for-the-conservation-of-oribi-antelope-in-kzn.pdf
https://www.birdphotography.eu/index.php/mammals/120-mammals-of-the-world/antelopes/396-oribi
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/free-ranging-male-african-antelope-oribi-2040562967
https://www.derbianus.cz/en/pribeh-antilopy/
Shift
https://www.flickr.com/photos/timmelling/7055964063/in/photostream/
I have before me 'Game Digest' for Ourebia ourebi (1971), by M G L Mills, of the University of Pretoria.
"If it is disturbed it will spring up and run off with its typical 'rocking horse' gait. While running it will every now and then jump up into the air holding its head and shoulders higher than the rest of its body, and with all four legs held straight and stiff. During this the black tipped tail is often erected or held stiffly out and vigorously wagged. The alarm call is variously described as a squealing whistle (Shortridge, 1934), a mixture of a whistle and a snort (Tait, 1969) and a shrill, thin whistle (Stevenson-Hamilton, 1947)...At night they take up a stance on some bare patch of ground from whence they can see any enemies...Tinley (1969 b) writes that in Gorongosa National Park the oribi is the only small antelope species which shows a conspicuous movement between the dry and wet season periods. During the dry winter months, they abound in the open on the short flood plain grasslands and their margins, and then in the rainy season they move off ...into the tall grass."
https://www.alamy.com/uganda-nwoya-district-pakwach-murchison-falls-national-park-oribi-image466904407.html?imageid=222D3481-8B8E-4DC9-A17C-4AF8CE8135D6&p=158394&pn=2&searchId=36695cc759b1b62311880edd0de78966&searchtype=0
The following individual of ssp. cottoni shows the minimum appearance, in the whole species, of whitish on the hindquarters:
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-oribi-ourebia-ourebi-murchison-falls-national-park-uganda-92320369.html?imageid=F4F35925-8833-49B2-A30F-46690C4AB612&p=22059&pn=3&searchId=b18d9220987fab88ffb57be4cfa504ab&searchtype=0
See comments in https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/19842834.
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Distribution-of-oribi-antelope-Ourebia-ourebi-across-Africa-inset-The-sampling-sites_fig1_321879105
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-male-oribi-ourebia-ourebi-antelope-murchisons-falls-national-park-176062581.html?imageid=FA09265A-C2ED-42BB-93A6-6503711FC8F3&p=135160&pn=1&searchId=6e3004646ddf61bb55b9570a8b67e3c5&searchtype=0
Raphicerus campestris is related to Ourebia ourebi, both phylogenetically and ecologically. However, the following (https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/capricorn-female-gm1279580483-378139567?phrase=steenbuck and https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/steenbok-raphicerus-campestris-gm607777042-104229391?phrase=steenbuck and https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/steenbok-in-kruger-national-park-south-africa-gm816711696-132113431?phrase=steenbuck) shows that its tail has no conspicuous colouration.
Ourebia ourebi cottoni/masakensis, mislabelled:
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/oribi-rear-view-gm483662943-37516432?phrase=steenbuck
Shift
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/bushmanland-scene-gm1066479370-285183243?phrase=steenbuck
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/steenbok-raphicerus-campestris-fire-burned-destroyed-savannah-animal-in-fire-burnt-gm1418197268-464973635?phrase=steenbuck
https://www.wildlifeworldwide.com/locations/golden-gate-highlands-national-park
The following show a subtle pedal flag in Ourebia ourebi quadriscopa.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/8490596
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/8490605
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/16099463
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/29326368
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/91161569
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/91165825
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/67044396
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/67044375
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/67005624
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/6441964
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/67005621
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/8490600
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/8490596
The pasterns (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastern) are pale enough to accentuate the action of walking. I suspect that this paleness is more conspicuous in ultraviolet, and that, to the relevant eyes (i.e. those of the oribi itself), the flag is visible by night.
Does the southern oribi also possess a pedal flag? I suspect that it does not.
The following (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/8490548 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/91161569 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/67253091 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/66999205) show the size of the tail-tassel (which is dark) in Ourebia ourebi quadriscopa.
PATTERN ON HINDQUARTERS:
The following (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/67044398 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/67004297) show the pattern of colouration on the buttocks in ssp. quadriscopa.
This is quite different (and, in terms of adaptive colouration so much less conspicuous) from that in sspp. ourebi and rutila. So muchnso that different species, rather than just subspecies, are probably involved.
Ourebia ourebi ourebi:
Scroll in https://midlandsconservanciesforum.wordpress.com/tag/oribi/page/2/
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/south-africa-adroda-safaris-hunt-report.63963/page-2
The pattern of colouration on the hindquarters in Rucervus duvaucelii (https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/2022/07/12/barasingha-the-twelve-horned-deer/ and https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/kanha-national-park-reopens-for-tourists/article31839262.ece and https://www.watatunga.co.uk/barasingha/ and https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-barasingha-deer-or-swamp-deer-cervus-duvauceli-stag-111494953.html?imageid=EC50707D-85AA-4640-9311-4E46CE4BD234&p=329545&pn=1&searchId=3926c471a78fdca815e83ec1d72a6c30&searchtype=0 and https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-barashingha-deer-or-swamp-deer-cervus-duvauceli-pair-111495031.html?imageid=46BB873F-C9E2-4767-A739-A5B49260D8B7&p=329545&pn=1&searchId=3926c471a78fdca815e83ec1d72a6c30&searchtype=0 and https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-barasingha-deer-or-swamp-deer-cervus-duvauceli-males-fighting-111494993.html?imageid=5E2288AC-B92F-42A1-8EBC-6D43DB31D48E&p=329545&pn=1&searchId=3926c471a78fdca815e83ec1d72a6c30&searchtype=0 and https://www.kanha-national-park.com/blog/internal-shifting-eastern-swamp-deer-kanha/) is similar to that in the northern sspp. of Ourebia ourebi.
https://aboutgk.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/swamp-deer.jpg
https://www.mn-99.top/ProductDetail.aspx?iid=140216013&pr=41.96
https://roundglasssustain.com/photo-stories/swamp-deer-kaziranga-national-park#image-8
One of the best photo of stotting in Ourebia:
Ourebia ourebi aequatoria, Kidepo National Park, Uganda:
https://nomadic-by-nature.com/cantankerous-elephants-kidepo/#jp-carousel-3192
https://www.pinterest.cl/pin/oribi-leaping-across-the-plains-kidepo-valley-national-park-uganda--500040364859935004/
https://tass.com/non-political/1352257
Shift
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-frightened-impala-antelopes-jumping-and-prancing-in-the-masai-mara-149748859.html?imageid=C8250E00-E70F-44A2-BAC8-E4323C0A0417&p=9487&pn=1&searchId=fa06c1883c52e4621e2843bf2963bb50&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/leaping-impala-aepyceros-melampus-image6244726.html?imageid=F3C27A4C-D764-44AA-A38D-8D0D80247402&p=872561&pn=1&searchId=fa06c1883c52e4621e2843bf2963bb50&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/two-male-grant-s-gazelles-one-is-jumping-to-show-its-fitness-and-strength-image7487010.html?imageid=5B91C283-33E2-4E25-88D4-EF2911B726D2&p=6945&pn=1&searchId=fa06c1883c52e4621e2843bf2963bb50&searchtype=0
https://www.facebook.com/Oribipage/photos/a.700110156809958/700421446778829/
https://www.facebook.com/Oribipage/photos/a.700110156809958/700421446778829/
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