An osteological comparison between bontebok Damaliscus pygargus pygargus and blesbok, Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi and its bearing on the evolution of bontebok
Date
2009-04-09T11:01:24Z
Authors
Vilakazi, Nonhlanhla
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Abstract
The alcelaphine species Damaliscus pygargus has two subspecies: the bontebok
Damaliscus pygargus pygargus and the blesbok Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi. On
analogy with black wildebeest evolution, it is thought that the two subspecies became
biogeographically distinct during the Last Glacial, when lowered sea levels exposed
additional plains habitat on the continental platform. This would have caused
reproductive isolation between interior and coastal populations with the Cape Fold
Mountains acting as biogeographic barrier. The aim of this study was to test the
possibility of the osteological discrimination between the two subspecies by using
reference specimens from the National Museum, Bloemfontein, and Iziko South African
Museum, Cape Town. It was hypothesized that bone morphology and measurements
would serve to differentiate between the subspecies, which are adapted to different
environments, and thus experience different stresses. However, results showed no
significant differences between the two subspecies osteologically.
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Keywords
Damaliscus pygargus pygargus, Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi