A buccal semet is a pattern of colouration, around the mouth, that makes the motion of chewing more conspicuous than it would be without such colouration.
Buccal semets occur typically in cud-chewing ungulates (ruminants), which do most of their chewing while resting in small groups.
These patterns are likely to be biologically significant, for at least two reasons.
Firstly, they exemplify a subtle and previously overlooked form of adaptive colouration.
The hypothetical function is to facilitate social communication in the context of anti-predator vigilance. The displaying of the semet, by means of the action of chewing, would be inadvertently reassuring to group-members, as they ruminate drowsily, in sight of each other.
Secondly, buccal semets may reveal phylogenetic relationships. They potentially inform our taxonomic classification of the clades involved.
In this series of Posts, I document for the first time the colouration around the mouth in the various genera and species of tragelaphins (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragelaphini).
The following compilation of photos illustrates the relevant patterns in all five genera of tragelaphins.
The anatomical structures on which to focus are
- chin and lower lip (which has a bare edge),
- upper lip (the bare edge of which is hardly visible),
- gape (corner of the mouth, where the mouth abuts the cheek),
- mandible, i.e. the lower jaw, posterior to the mouth, and
- any beard/dewlap on the ventral surface of the mandibles.
Please observe the darkness/paleness of these structures, relative to each other, the rhinarium, and the cheek.
Please note the species-specific patterns, their individual variation, and any differences among sexes and adults/juveniles.
TAUROTRAGUS ORYX
The buccal colouration is more individually variable in its degree of development than in any other tragelaphin, owing to a pallid (depigmented) tendency.
However, the basic pattern (https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-eland-taurotragus-oryx-de-hoop-nature-reserve-western-cape-south-africa-48782311.html?imageid=FD24B2C5-426E-4D92-A6CD-DE795DC987CC&p=165079&pn=1&searchId=794c737373580976e28d0483d22ce443&searchtype=0) is one of consistently whitish chin and lips. Some individuals, of both sexes, have dark emphasis immediately posterior to the whitish, at about the longitude of the gape.
https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=%22giant+eland%22&asset_id=338886526
https://www.alamy.com/common-eland-taurotragus-oryx-image432757293.html?imageid=6229F140-EA07-4A0C-A074-3CB65A3B8FE1&p=1427920&pn=1&searchId=794c737373580976e28d0483d22ce443&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-eland-antelope-fighting-86624002.html?imageid=1C0C6FEE-A691-4512-B0D9-DC6CFBAC6174&p=1388030&pn=1&searchId=794c737373580976e28d0483d22ce443&searchtype=0
https://www.dreamstime.com/portrait-view-eland-tragelaphus-oryx-resting-lush-green-field-largest-african-antelopes-have-flap-image227721377
https://www.dreamstime.com/eland-antelope-taurotragus-oryx-eland-antelope-ist-crossing-namibian-kalahari-image223419329
https://www.dreamstime.com/eland-antelope-lying-grass-its-head-up-ndutu-tanzania-image198684795
https://www.dreamstime.com/eland-antelope-portrait-portrait-large-male-eland-antelope-tragelaphus-oryx-south-africa-image101845662
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-giant-eland-african-safari-traveling-around-mauritius-image97675463
https://www.dreamstime.com/common-eland-taurotragus-oryx-largest-african-antelope-species-common-eland-taurotragus-oryx-largest-image188527850
https://www.alamy.com/detail-shot-of-common-eland-taurotragus-oryx-on-a-grassy-ground-savannah-and-plains-antelope-found-in-east-and-southern-africa-image435112444.html?imageid=312E8A71-69A7-46DA-A5D1-3EA768725EA0&p=1397101&pn=1&searchId=794c737373580976e28d0483d22ce443&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/close-up-portrait-of-common-eland-taurotragus-oryx-with-head-turned-facing-right-kenya-image369435143.html?imageid=AF9F0FCF-36AE-4654-B67A-D0DCF9C4EF97&p=1424712&pn=1&searchId=794c737373580976e28d0483d22ce443&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/close-up-view-of-large-male-eland-detail-with-face-turned-to-viewer-image60176386.html?imageid=0606281F-623D-442D-BC19-A29F94659E07&p=163101&pn=1&searchId=794c737373580976e28d0483d22ce443&searchtype=0
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/southern-eland-antelope-side-view-portrait-1147821335
For additional illustrations see https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/70101-adaptive-colouration-of-northwestern-oribi-ourebia-montana-quadriscopa-part-2-buccal-semet#.
TAUROTRAGUS DERBIANUS
The buccal colouration is similar to, but better-defined than, that in Taurotragus oryx.
In addition, there is a dewlap, bearded in adolescents, that arises on the mandible. The dewlap, with or without any beard, provides a dark feature that would further accentuate the chewing movement of the mandible. Too few photos are available..
https://www.zoochat.com/community/media/eastern-giant-eland.395398/
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/giant-eland-bandia-reserve-senegal-591079121
https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/1250603/view/eastern-giant-eland-turns-to-look-at-camera
https://www.dreamstime.com/close-up-photo-giant-eland-known-as-lord-derby-bandia-reserve-senegal-wildilfe-animal-also-africa-largest-species-image147763322
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-image-giant-eland-image19760921
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/giant-eland-savannah-antelope-located-africa-2031556622
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-giant-eland-zoo-florida-open-forest-savannah-antelope-photographed-miami-south-image54366408
TAUROTRAGUS EURYCERUS
The buccal colouration (https://www.dreamstime.com/mountain-bongo-sunshine-close-up-detail-african-antelope-posing-sun-image156500735) differs from those of all other tragelaphins, including congeners, as follows:
- the whitish on the lips is restricted in area, but contrasts in both sexes with extremely dark adjacent pelage,
- the bare edge of the lower lip is not dark (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eastern_Bongo_Antelope_(4629428689).jpg),
- the pale spot on the mandibular part of the cheek is extremely large, and
- there is a dark beard, but it is so short, and located so far to the posterior, that it seems irrelevant to the buccal semet.
https://www.dreamstime.com/male-bongo-taurotragus-euryceros-male-bongo-taurotragus-euryceros-image194416886
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-bongo-antelope-bongo-tragelaphus-eurycerus-great-natural-environment-zoo-bor%C3%A5s-sweden-autumn-image82715544
https://www.dreamstime.com/beautiful-animal-big-eastern-bongo-antelope-extremely-rare-beautiful-animal-big-eastern-bongo-antelope-extremely-rare-animal-image101894871
https://www.dreamstime.com/mountain-bongo-antelope-tragelaphus-eurycerus-mountain-bongo-antelope-tragelaphus-eurycerus-eats-hay-under-shelter-image118182099
https://www.dreamstime.com/funny-closeup-face-eastern-mountain-bongo-critically-endangered-animal-specie-kenya-africa-spiral-horned-antelope-image148858133
https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photography-tragelaphus-eurycerus-image14384997
https://www.dreamstime.com/closeup-portrait-eastern-mountain-bongo-grazing-grass-pasture-critically-endangered-animal-specie-africa-image149425845
https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-images-mountain-bongo-adult-grass-image33653269
https://www.dreamstime.com/face-eastern-mountain-bongo-closeup-critically-endangered-animal-specie-africa-image164858906
https://www.dreamstime.com/funny-closeup-face-eastern-mountain-bongo-critically-endangered-animal-specie-kenya-africa-spiral-horned-antelope-image148858133
https://www.dreamstime.com/close-up-detail-african-bongo-antelope-posing-sun-mountain-bongo-sunshine-image156500744
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/portrait-lovely-bongo-1064503535
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-image-bongo-antelope-tragelaphus-eurycerus-eurycerus-image36705331
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-bongo-tragelaphus-eurycerus-looking-food-ground-its-habitat-image52519124
https://www.dreamstime.com/bongo-tragelaphus-eurycerus-isaaci-eats-grass-sunny-spring-morning-image116605471
TRAGELAPHUS SYLVATICUS
The buccal colouration is such that he dark of the bare edge of the lips contrasts with the whitish of the pelage of the lips (https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/male-bushbuck-royalty-free-image/594968558?adppopup=true and https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/male-bushbuck-royalty-free-image/594968566?adppopup=true).
https://www.alamy.com/cape-bushbuck-in-kruger-national-park-south-africa-specie-tragelaphus-sylvaticus-family-of-bovidae-image185899438.html?imageid=702E8F49-45BC-4157-9914-850AF50686E6&p=272677&pn=2&searchId=5de8c54a310e51d49337c39c810170c1&searchtype=0
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/bushbuck-gm495244662-77889519?phrase=bushbuck%20ewe
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/bushbuck-ewe-tragelaphus-scriptus-grazing-gm1167980883-322316576?phrase=bushbuck%20ewe
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-male-bushbuck-83259353.html?imageid=9922FBE1-B4A8-4B7E-991C-228BB7405323&p=257778&pn=1&searchId=684f53868b913c7fa10a38c21f0564c5&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/bushbuck-tragelaphus-scriptus-image66202156.html?imageid=1F4F5B3D-432B-4DD3-8496-D54B61F52803&p=178601&pn=1&searchId=684f53868b913c7fa10a38c21f0564c5&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/buschbock-bushbuck-tregelaphus-scriptus-image261522989.html?imageid=01641FCD-B7C9-4E75-B3DB-4631D4381739&p=816330&pn=2&searchId=dfb1bd0a68ec8c57b7af6bc9aab357d3&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/buschbock-bushbuck-tregelaphus-scriptus-image261522701.html?imageid=12BA0F46-8A62-4A16-9DE3-7A6798CD95E2&p=816330&pn=2&searchId=dfb1bd0a68ec8c57b7af6bc9aab357d3&searchtype=0
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/cape-bushbuck-ewe-gm1391459767-448067029?phrase=bushbuck%20ewe
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/bushbuck-gm495244310-77889157?phrase=bushbuck%20ewe
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/bushbuck-cute-face-gm1133070757-300622617?phrase=young%20gazelle%20in%20profile
https://www.alamy.com/buschbock-bushbuck-tregelaphus-scriptus-image261524426.html?imageid=EA3A7655-CD51-4F97-BE2B-DDC269FCC195&p=816330&pn=1&searchId=684f53868b913c7fa10a38c21f0564c5&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/menelik-bushbuck-tragelaphus-scriptus-meneliki-male-dinsho-ethiopia-image226042705.html?imageid=2A59DDAF-024B-43E4-A8F1-C904DD2E8B1B&p=703625&pn=1&searchId=c4807554bb1a466cf282cc8091f3a683&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-bushbuck-young-male-33140583.html?imageid=9E28420C-BA40-4139-A291-FD5CB0CB5D17&p=95996&pn=3&searchId=860819a898d0b3e353b6310d1e861c73&searchtype=0
TRAGELAPHUS SCRIPTUS
The buccal colouration is similar to that in Tragelaphus sylvaticus.
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-bushbuck-harnessed-antelope-tragelaphus-scriptus-female-drinking-water-76072639.html?imageid=C3EF99E8-D978-40CC-9202-4D52169D823F&p=1142566&pn=1&searchId=684f53868b913c7fa10a38c21f0564c5&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/close-up-of-a-male-bushbuck-tragelaphus-scriptus-in-the-jao-concession-okavango-delta-in-botswana-image343826781.html?imageid=E73EE6E9-8815-460E-980A-D87DDA0A8793&p=1249180&pn=1&searchId=684f53868b913c7fa10a38c21f0564c5&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/intimidation-display-of-a-male-bushbuck-tragelaphus-scriptus-murchison-falls-national-park-uganda-image239726789.html?imageid=ABACDEAA-306A-44E7-A805-A958488CE07B&p=22059&pn=1&searchId=c4807554bb1a466cf282cc8091f3a683&searchtype=0
TRAGELAPHUS SPEKII and other spp. of sitatungas
The buccal colouration is similar to those of Tragelaphus sylvaticus and T. scriptus, but with the whitish of the pelage of the lower lip extended to the gape.
https://www.dreamstime.com/tomasz-podlak-bongo-antelope-feeds-wading-water-green-around-bongo-antelope-feeds-standing-water-image168756536
https://www.alamy.com/sitatunga-tragelaphus-spekii-image343527894.html?imageid=5C6870E0-0468-4470-A2FC-3BD3E452D1C1&p=75204&pn=3&searchId=6dca88fa24861c56fa081462157b3c1b&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/female-sitatunga-antelope-or-marshbuck-tragelaphus-spekii-close-up-of-head-and-neck-image476395871.html?imageid=C26369BF-2D48-4B0F-8DAA-278550E0C4D9&p=1294449&pn=1&searchId=ba26f4280c10396a8388f35893a2dfaf&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/female-sitatunga-antelope-or-marshbuck-tragelaphus-spekii-close-up-of-head-and-neck-image476395859.html?imageid=8595F948-D4CD-4343-BC46-F6C8E748BAEB&p=1294449&pn=1&searchId=ba26f4280c10396a8388f35893a2dfaf&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/sitatunga-tragelaphus-spekei-image9661815.html?imageid=F3EDB784-40BC-4ACC-9DF2-3FA548B9EDBF&p=12859&pn=3&searchId=6dca88fa24861c56fa081462157b3c1b&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-young-male-sitatunga-with-its-horns-just-emerging-uganda-east-africa-14694959.html?imageid=D2987602-78E4-42BD-AE42-CC7293D0396E&p=6945&pn=3&searchId=6dca88fa24861c56fa081462157b3c1b&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-lesser-kudu-tragelaphus-imberbis-australis-laying-in-the-tall-grass-136679065.html?imageid=4505A744-48D2-4B6B-A57B-9EA8D10C4860&p=560173&pn=1&searchId=2d93f5fd0d262fe07ddf0d59810429c5&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-sitatunga-young-147682858.html?imageid=B3D1B135-8388-494C-8865-C2DEDBCA3B54&p=456819&pn=1&searchId=ba26f4280c10396a8388f35893a2dfaf&searchtype=0
TRAGELAPHUS BUXTONI
The buccal colouration is similar to that in Tragelaphus spekii, with the addition that a dark/pale contrast develops on the pelage on the mandible, posterior to the gape, in adult males (https://www.alamy.com/ethiopia-bale-mountains-nationalpark-image342319127.html?imageid=92F707E0-6CCE-4C9F-9CF3-5E128CF7E060&p=851074&pn=3&searchId=82573a013a7114e7f4bd50c4986bd933&searchtype=0).
https://www.alamy.com/female-moutain-nyala-grazing-in-the-gaysay-grasslands-in-bale-mountains-national-park-image445236001.html?imageid=6C3BCA90-353C-44DF-8563-8693ABAB1ABC&p=887039&pn=3&searchId=82573a013a7114e7f4bd50c4986bd933&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/female-mountain-nyala-tragelaphus-buxtoni-dinsho-forest-ethiopia-image178928393.html?imageid=57D13A0F-C4E6-43B8-9B66-3FDD4D74BB06&p=82922&pn=1&searchId=e54f3a90a919d4e7d869a7b57284f676&searchtype=0
https://www.dreamstime.com/close-up-male-female-mountain-nyala-lying-grass-ethiopia-image195489300
https://www.dreamstime.com/close-up-mountain-nyala-grassland-tragelaphus-buxtoni-ethiopia-image157991561
https://www.dreamstime.com/portrait-male-mountain-nyala-very-close-portrait-male-mountain-nyala-tragelaphus-buxtoni-dinsho-wetland-ethiopia-image145414555
https://www.alamy.com/female-mountain-nyala-bale-mountains-ethiopia-image220293157.html?imageid=5ECDB1C8-A644-490F-B891-9584C15AF626&p=135160&pn=1&searchId=e54f3a90a919d4e7d869a7b57284f676&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/mountain-nyala-tragelaphus-buxtoni-female-dinsho-ethiopia-image226042677.html?imageid=ECD418E1-03B0-44CC-BA77-E16ACAA09FCF&p=703625&pn=1&searchId=e54f3a90a919d4e7d869a7b57284f676&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-mountain-nyala-tragelaphus-buxtoni-bale-mountains-national-park-ethiopia-25983714.html?imageid=3E6BD96C-0294-422D-8A87-84D4328F9BC4&p=22059&pn=5&searchId=c6f23c57f8a8d0cf6e1d5b20b37e8218&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-mountain-nyala-tragelaphus-buxtoni-bale-mountains-national-park-ethiopia-25983724.html?imageid=062F3D80-06CE-4FB4-A178-973342687E48&p=22059&pn=5&searchId=c6f23c57f8a8d0cf6e1d5b20b37e8218&searchtype=0
NYALA ANGASII
The buccal colouration (https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-images-young-bongo-image14097454) differs from that in Tragelaphus in four ways, viz.
- on the upper lip, the whitish is confined to the anterior,
- on the mandible, the whitish ends abruptly at about the longitude of the gape,
- in adult males, the darkening of the face produces dark/pale contrast, and
- unlike the pattern in T. sylvaticus and T. scriptus, the whitish on the lower lip extends to the gape.
https://www.alamy.com/lowland-nyala-tragelaphus-angasii-portrait-of-a-cute-famale-image211551732.html?imageid=2EC07AC3-F6D0-4E7C-A49B-F340FF49E83B&p=566373&pn=2&searchId=68074e3bde3b43152797f3554a4680f1&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-nyala-tragelaphus-angasii-male-and-female-kapama-game-reserve-greater-48783217.html?imageid=F34FDE70-2E1C-4EB3-83C9-9524FE89127E&p=165079&pn=1&searchId=50e9f97d6347cb5e9d7b8ec238aca628&searchtype=0
https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photo-african-antelope-image3633005
https://www.dreamstime.com/nyala-tragelaphus-angasii-male-portrait-kruger-national-park-south-africa-nyala-male-portrait-side-view-image239785421
https://www.dreamstime.com/nyala-lowland-portrait-nyala-lowland-portrait-zoo-park-image157688338
https://www.dreamstime.com/close-up-face-nayala-enjoy-eating-image152442625
https://www.dreamstime.com/nyala-antelope-portrait-south-africa-male-tragelaphus-angasii-mkuze-game-reserve-image256117400
https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photo-nyala-antelope-portrait-male-tragelaphus-angasii-mkuze-game-reserve-south-africa-image37072955
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-images-lone-nyala-image17067424
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-female-nyala-tragelaphus-angasii-92733610.html?imageid=035BC57A-961D-4EFC-BF33-D40142A9298C&p=282662&pn=1&searchId=50e9f97d6347cb5e9d7b8ec238aca628&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/portrait-of-male-nyala-antelope-tragelaphus-angasii-mkuze-game-reserve-image66114553.html?imageid=40F7B2BC-B175-4C51-8363-F75CC8FF8430&p=70019&pn=1&searchId=50e9f97d6347cb5e9d7b8ec238aca628&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-nyala-tragelaphus-angasi-sabi-sands-greater-kruger-national-park-south-25947606.html?imageid=09620EDA-87A2-4A86-A9DB-DE11B75C6610&p=74587&pn=1&searchId=50e9f97d6347cb5e9d7b8ec238aca628&searchtype=0
AMMELAPHUS IMBERBIS
The buccal colouration (https://www.alamy.com/lesser-kudu-tragelaphus-imberbis-small-antelope-image246475725.html?imageid=9BB55FE8-4BFC-49D6-AB7E-9E6548F6E1A3&p=84573&pn=1&searchId=2d93f5fd0d262fe07ddf0d59810429c5&searchtype=0) is intermediate between that of Tragelaphus and that of Nyala.
https://www.alamy.com/lesser-kudu-ammelaphus-imberbis-in-the-blooming-grass-lions-bluff-tsavo-national-park-kenya-image211254047.html?imageid=8EB93E74-52FA-46AE-AB92-FD770A83CC78&p=78230&pn=1&searchId=2d93f5fd0d262fe07ddf0d59810429c5&searchtype=0
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/104569341
https://www.alamy.com/lesser-kudu-tragelaphus-imberbis-buck-tsavo-east-national-park-kenya-image209010297.html?imageid=312575D2-8C0F-45CE-8A47-D003055F569B&p=362016&pn=1&searchId=2d93f5fd0d262fe07ddf0d59810429c5&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-lesser-kudu-tragelaphus-imberbis-122867683.html?imageid=D23553F3-C7DF-40D8-90A5-E8B3297F3808&p=354315&pn=1&searchId=2d93f5fd0d262fe07ddf0d59810429c5&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-lesser-kudu-53073929.html?imageid=6711D4B8-A2A1-4AE7-ABF8-EC7524E6F3C4&p=176492&pn=1&searchId=2d93f5fd0d262fe07ddf0d59810429c5&searchtype=0
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-antelope-bongo-%C3%A2%E2%82%AC-largest-forest-beauty-nobility-grandeur-all-antelopes-africa-holds-first-place-as-image69341634
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/an-angry-look-gm804218292-130411841
https://www.alamy.com/two-lesser-kudu-ammelaphus-imberbis-fight-each-other-lions-bluff-tsavo-national-park-kenya-image211254048.html?imageid=2F32722B-323B-4C0F-AC95-537223A17C27&p=78230&pn=1&searchId=2d93f5fd0d262fe07ddf0d59810429c5&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/lesser-kudu-tragelaphus-imberbis-bucks-fighting-tsavo-east-national-park-kenya-image209010335.html?imageid=DF824358-E99A-41FB-B3FF-0B1CA61378F5&p=362016&pn=2&searchId=3b6a685767fbfca02df2e8e623771814&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/a-lesser-kudu-in-captivity-standing-against-the-wall-to-stand-in-the-shade-image441773979.html?imageid=E2BFD3F1-7A6B-478A-B285-030C835DE0F6&p=156542&pn=1&searchId=2d93f5fd0d262fe07ddf0d59810429c5&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-lesser-kudu-93428595.html?imageid=CA059F5B-00E7-40FB-A30F-52D295086B3C&p=291391&pn=1&searchId=2d93f5fd0d262fe07ddf0d59810429c5&searchtype=0
STREPSICEROS STREPSICEROS
The buccal colouration differs from that in Tragelaphus spekii in two ways, viz.
- in males (including adolescents) of southern sspp., there is a short beard on the mandible, with its own dark/pale contrast, which would accentuate the movements of the mandible during chewing, and
- the pale spot on the lower cheek/mandible is extremely variable in location, size, and distinctness.
The northeastern ssp. lacks any beard on the mandible (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/40305320).
https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photography-active-kudu-image1624537
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-greater-kudu-83380346.html?imageid=3F77ADE7-76CD-4BE8-AEC8-B863E7ADDDF5&p=258021&pn=1&searchId=a6e48eaa723d601f0ec36501ba7e4667&searchtype=0
https://www.rgbstock.com/photo/nF5Dlxo/Kudu+Female
https://www.dreamstime.com/close-up-kudu-bull-close-up-proud-kudu-bull-shamwari-game-reserve-eastern-cape-province-south-africa-image163484296
https://www.dreamstime.com/male-kudu-close-up-male-kudu-chobe-national-park-botswana-image157981022
https://www.dreamstime.com/amazing-close-up-huge-male-kudu-moving-sandy-banks-african-river-image256119835
https://www.pxfuel.com/en/free-photo-oeyrd
https://www.rgbstock.com/photo/okYb3oU/KUDU+Female++3
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-image-kudu-bull-image20061331
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/24986453
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/98153597
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-a-mature-male-kudu-tragelaphus-strepsiceros-in-the-late-afternoon-29969095.html?imageid=C064B590-F27A-431E-87AE-216F302914EB&p=16440&pn=1&searchId=a6e48eaa723d601f0ec36501ba7e4667&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-greater-kudu-83285005.html?imageid=C215FACE-D71D-4F8E-A5AB-6E2E2EAF2E7E&p=87116&pn=1&searchId=a6e48eaa723d601f0ec36501ba7e4667&searchtype=0
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-kudu-profile-male-greater-african-savannah-image46183091
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/11253557
https://www.dreamstime.com/tan-pale-stripes-long-curved-horns-antelope-portrait-profile-male-greater-kudu-wildlife-portrait-male-image236629973
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/95198649
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photos-kudu-antelope-female-image11335073
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-images-kudu-antelope-female-image22113564
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-images-kudu-antelope-portrait-image10432874
https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photography-kudu-antelope-male-image7622007
https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-image-kudu-antelope-image13028506
to be continued in https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/70156-subtle-diversification-of-buccal-semets-in-tragelaphin-antelopes-part-2#...
Posted on
Σεπτέμβριος 19, 2022 1032 ΜΜ
by
milewski
Σχόλια
https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/photo/profile-of-deer-royalty-free-image/150323281
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-female-bushbuck-83259350.html?imageid=C1BAFBDE-D395-434D-94A6-980067EF91A2&p=257778&pn=1&searchId=684f53868b913c7fa10a38c21f0564c5&searchtype=0
May I ask, what is a semet?
@paradoxornithidae
Many thanks for asking.
A semet is a type of conspicuous pattern of colouration, in the same series as bleeze and flag.
A bleeze is a pattern so conspicuous that it makes the whole figure of the animal stand out, even at some distance. The adaptively important point is that this tends to preclude hiding from predators, even if the figure remains stationary.
A flag is a smaller-scale pattern, which becomes conspicuous at the scale of the whole figure only when moved. A typical location for flags is the tail.
A semet is also dependent on motion for its conspicuousness. However, it is so small-scale that it is only conspicuous at close range (less than 20 m for a large-bodied species, less than 10 m for a small-bodied species). Typical locations are ears and mouth.
Bleezes are mainly for long-range communication intraspecifically, the meaning being crude presence at a 'public' level. Flags can communicate intraspecifically or with predators, the messages being social in some cases. Semets communicate only intraspecifically, i.e. their messages are 'private', not 'public'.
Three photos to illustrate typical examples:
Bleeze https://naturerules1.fandom.com/wiki/Bontebok
Flag https://nuwejaars.com/did-you-know-the-grey-rhebok-is-creeping-up-the-endangered-list/
Semet https://www.gettyimages.ie/detail/video/an-eland-chews-its-cud-in-a-grassy-plain-in-south-stock-video-footage/1BT10342_0269
Does this help?
Yes, thanks.
@paradoxornithidae
Your question usefully prompted me to think of human examples/analogies.
In the case of bleeze and semet, it is easy to find human examples.
Bleeze https://www.thinknsa.com/blog/high-visibility-safety-apparel-orange-versus-yellow/
Semet https://www.facebook.com/CenterForGreatApes/photos/eye-see-you-comparisons-of-human-eyes-to-those-of-other-primates-reveal-several-/10156622320367331/ and https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Human-eyes-vs-chimpanzee-eyes_fig1_284308905
In the case of flags, it is hard to think of human examples, possibly because we are not as vulnerable to predators as many other mammals are.
Hand-signalling (https://external-preview.redd.it/v1EUGxMnapWAcEgZRm3SNa5lwYy5-Y7NPW2bns_iuFE.jpg?auto=webp&s=ef9b1aaa50f14ac4b71fa5e79f925f513eaff4a7) resemble flagging actions in their relatively gross motion, visible at some distance. However, they lack any emphatic/accentuating pattern of colouration.
Humans do, of course, use flags (https://www.ohmyprintsolutions.com.au/shop/car-window-flags/). However, they tend not to be worn on the human figure itself.
Can you think of a good example of a flagging pattern of colouration in Homo sapiens?
For now, my best example would be reflective ankle bands/straps (https://bikelegstrap.com/ankle-bands).
https://www.dreamstime.com/male-kudu-antelope-tragelaphus-strepsiceros-natural-habitat-etosha-national-park-namibia-rare-roan-antelope-hippotragus-image115929456
https://www.dreamstime.com/large-african-kudu-maasai-mara-savannah-standing-sidewises-to-camera-side-profile-large-african-kudu-image243720457
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-sitatunga-antelope-19500135.html?imageid=9B1AF14A-0A4F-4FBE-9D72-0812500A80DB&p=36876&pn=1&searchId=ba26f4280c10396a8388f35893a2dfaf&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-sitatunga-tragelaphus-spekei-tragelaphus-spekii-mother-with-infant-58072252.html?imageid=4926CFC0-B30F-4315-A441-690548A946D8&p=196226&pn=1&searchId=ba26f4280c10396a8388f35893a2dfaf&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-sitatunga-pose-145165947.html?imageid=90208957-F5D4-497E-8687-D89EC9697C33&p=427577&pn=3&searchId=6dca88fa24861c56fa081462157b3c1b&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-western-sitatunga-eating-grass-114007209.html?imageid=01785425-6AE0-4BBB-9C64-052815465E02&p=85565&pn=3&searchId=6dca88fa24861c56fa081462157b3c1b&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-sitatunga-female-nursing-newborn-young-tragelaphus-spekei-tragelaphus-148754761.html?imageid=87FC65A1-9871-4D95-B016-BE3280E1A2C6&p=198537&pn=4&searchId=db2f796c45d5128199090fa6b1c01029&searchtype=0
https://www.dreamstime.com/bongo-s-addax-wildebeest-grazing-near-watering-hole-apple-valley-minnesota-zoo-together-pasture-water-image185424006
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-male-lesser-kudu-tsavo-west-national-park-kenya-33777817.html?imageid=789D3D98-084F-4F70-829B-5610F2983BAB&p=1023&pn=1&searchId=2d93f5fd0d262fe07ddf0d59810429c5&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/lesser-kudu-tragelaphus-imberbis-tanzania-east-africa-image217117792.html?imageid=BACD06BA-0B53-4602-94A7-5BA714C21DAD&p=16403&pn=1&searchId=2d93f5fd0d262fe07ddf0d59810429c5&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-a-lesser-kudu-running-126275653.html?imageid=FA14E7B3-2AC6-423B-8FE2-8FC11136CF68&p=219688&pn=1&searchId=2d93f5fd0d262fe07ddf0d59810429c5&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/a-female-lesser-kudu-in-full-flight-in-the-tsavo-west-national-park-image2584935.html?imageid=FA5E9B7F-2472-4BAF-AC10-448B7E7DBBC7&p=1023&pn=3&searchId=c20e5abfe3ee8dc83813c07821f32a88&searchtype=0
Good illustrations of disruptive colouration:
Strepsiceros strepsiceros:
https://www.alamy.com/greater-kudu-in-botswana-woodlands-in-okavango-delta-image470997180.html?imageid=B6148A80-277B-49AF-A68B-5B49EC0A0F81&p=83260&pn=2&searchId=3b6a685767fbfca02df2e8e623771814&searchtype=0
Ammelaphus imberbis:
https://www.alamy.com/female-lesser-kudu-tragelaphus-imberbis-antelope-with-her-young-calf-image5245302.html?imageid=62CE1C7E-770A-4EB7-A6D7-7FA2A62D10CD&p=18584&pn=2&searchId=3b6a685767fbfca02df2e8e623771814&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/kudu-standing-and-eating-grass-and-watching-you-in-the-field-image218773762.html?imageid=4665E587-65E6-4656-9C42-23615D7C5094&p=260684&pn=2&searchId=3b6a685767fbfca02df2e8e623771814&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/male-lesser-kudu-image9765527.html?imageid=B1269628-C7E5-4949-B9F3-38B7D6526C92&p=2018&pn=3&searchId=c20e5abfe3ee8dc83813c07821f32a88&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/endangered-lesser-kudu-samburu-national-park-kenya-image9765057.html?imageid=101732CF-D0E1-4139-9DEB-19DA341EB2EB&p=2018&pn=3&searchId=c20e5abfe3ee8dc83813c07821f32a88&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/endangered-lesser-kudu-near-samburu-village-northern-kenya-image9765542.html?imageid=348E9D2E-44BF-449E-AEBF-0573D5EA3B23&p=2018&pn=3&searchId=c20e5abfe3ee8dc83813c07821f32a88&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/endangered-male-lesser-kudu-antelope-near-samburu-village-northern-image9765538.html?imageid=F7D5AA26-2C16-4A44-9D75-E51CA62371D8&p=2018&pn=3&searchId=c20e5abfe3ee8dc83813c07821f32a88&searchtype=0
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/35973550
https://www.alamy.com/bonebuck-at-cape-point-in-cape-town-image461628003.html?imageid=B003EDDF-551F-4E81-98E0-FECFD833DD4D&p=1221948&pn=1&searchId=50e9f97d6347cb5e9d7b8ec238aca628&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/female-mountain-nyala-in-the-bale-mountains-ethiopia-image345292263.html?imageid=B7FF9785-513F-46F1-B765-83380BFCEC27&p=15397&pn=1&searchId=e54f3a90a919d4e7d869a7b57284f676&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/mountain-nyala-tragelaphus-buxtoni-running-female-bale-mountains-national-park-ethiopia-endemic-endangered-species-image263074272.html?imageid=C1E61EA6-5018-43BA-B062-C6EF19EFD41F&p=269369&pn=2&searchId=13254c22d3e1ab594a6018112c0637a5&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/mountain-nyala-tragelaphus-buxtoni-running-female-bale-mountains-national-park-ethiopia-endemic-endangered-species-image263074268.html?imageid=369389B6-9AD3-44CB-B76D-42AFB562C9DA&p=269369&pn=2&searchId=13254c22d3e1ab594a6018112c0637a5&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/mountain-nyala-tragelaphus-buxtoni-running-female-bale-mountains-national-park-ethiopia-endemic-endangered-species-image263074267.html?imageid=F8D2365E-9AE5-4FE4-B478-08E28E1D4CBF&p=269369&pn=2&searchId=13254c22d3e1ab594a6018112c0637a5&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/mountain-nyala-tragelaphus-buxtoni-running-female-bale-mountains-national-park-ethiopia-endemic-endangered-species-image263074271.html?imageid=21CEF333-7A90-44FB-901F-FC6E6EDDE184&p=269369&pn=2&searchId=13254c22d3e1ab594a6018112c0637a5&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/close-up-of-a-male-and-female-mountain-nyala-standing-in-the-grass-ethiopia-image235529609.html?imageid=3970146E-5E7B-42A9-9E8F-48B0895C2D80&p=164502&pn=3&searchId=82573a013a7114e7f4bd50c4986bd933&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-mountain-nyala-tragelaphus-buxtoni-alert-male-and-female-in-bale-mountains-125544680.html?imageid=3332E29A-6D07-44B0-BFB3-E281C421D6D8&p=361540&pn=3&searchId=82573a013a7114e7f4bd50c4986bd933&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/male-mountain-nyala-tragelaphus-buxtoni-bale-mountains-ethiopia-image178863563.html?imageid=42E7F3A7-0A0A-436D-8587-CD8A7E3640DB&p=82922&pn=4&searchId=f8d75bac3610d5ca84c3ee400933f2ee&searchtype=0
Shows how proportionately large the head can be in Connochaetes mearnsi:
https://www.dreamstime.com/blue-wildebeest-stands-savannah-turning-head-image154106252
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/common-eland-standing-1277393509
@milewski
So, Ammelaphus (Lesser Kudu) is not part of the genus Tragelaphus per sensu stricto (in the strict sense)? I’ve not heard it called Ammelaphus imberbis to be fair.
@paradoxornithidae Please see the latest revision, i.e. Groves and Grubb (2011, https://academic.oup.com/jmammal/article/94/1/245/849981?login=false).
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