A succinct photo-guide to subspecies of the bush duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia)
@timmeschke @variani18 @markuslilje
Also see
- https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/39689-puzzles-about-the-geographical-distribution-of-the-bush-duiker-sylvicapra-grimmia#
- comments in https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/188507497
The bush duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia)is the most widespread and altitude-tolerant species of wild ruminant in Africa.
Identifying its subspecies is complicated by
- individual variation,
- photographic effects on hues,
- uneven coverage of the various geographical areas (a particular problem in Tanzania and Mozambique),
- confusion between subspecies and mere ecotypes (particularly w.r.t. high-altitude forms in East Africa and Ethiopia), and
- intergradation between adjacent subspecies (only a noticeable problem in southern Africa).
Here I attempt to illustrate each subspecies by means of a few photos, carefully chosen to show the typical appearance.
Body size varies more than in any other species of wild ruminant in Africa, in a puzzling way relative to climate.
The southernmost ssp., grimmia, has on average more than double the body mass of the northernmost ssp., pallidior, despite the fact that both occur in semi-deserts (Karoo vs Kordofan). The former weighs more than 20 kg, whereas the latter weighs less than 10 kg.
A pedal flag is a pattern of dark-pale contrast on the feet (see https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/16006854).
The main effect of the overall colouration of the bush duiker is inconspicuousness. However, the colouration on the feet is likely to accentuate movement, in a way facilitating social monitoring.
All subspecies except coronata have a caudal flag consisting of the dark-pale contrast on the tail (see https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/63911921 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/7992078 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/42635890). This pattern is accentuated by intermittent flicking during foraging.
Please note that the tail is not displayed while fleeing (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/20384320).
A caudal flag is clearest in the southernmost ssp. (grimmia, see https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/38528976), and absent at the opposite extreme of the species-distribution, in far-West Africa (coronata). The other subspecies are intermediate.
Please note that some of the following links contain more than one photo.
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Ssp. grimmia: large body and large ears; all hues dull; pedal flag absent because of a lack of pale on the dark feet
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/160554361 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/8252064 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/64169127 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/42169044 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/191459528 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/193697585
Ssp. steinhardti: intermediate between grimmia and splendidula
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/36941879 and https://www.mindenpictures.com/stock-photo/common-duiker-(sylvicapra-grimmia)-adult-drinking-from-woodland-spring/search/detailmodal-0_80075743.html and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/22034688 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/25626344 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/65269161 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/184561975 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/193381154
Ssp. caffra: medium-size body; greyish with bright-hued forehead; pedal flag present
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/35727710 and https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-common-duiker-kruger-national-park-specie-sylvicapra-grimmia-image61891866 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/44275917 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/195284529 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/197214694
Ssp. splendidula: medium-size body with bright hue and whitish countershading; pedal flag present https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/188001654 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/9813042 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/67878808 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/2401858 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/194973141 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/192036901 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/191192536
Ssp. orbicularis: medium-size body but otherwise similar to the larger steinhardti
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/47649080 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/171907855 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/201250814
Ssp. hindei (including nyansae, madoqua and high-altitude subspecies/ecotypes possessing long fur): small body with small ears and short legs; the greatest differentiation in hues of all subspecies between forequarters and hindquarters; pedal flag absent
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/70201954 and https://www.123rf.com/photo_10728920_mount-kenya-safari-club-duiker-black-fronted.html and https://www.flickr.com/photos/macronyx/1278556141/ and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/15943116 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/201436525
Ssp. pallidior: small body with brighter hue than in campbelliae; pedal flag absent
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/42383809 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/24544467@N02/17643771255 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/bpophoto/41015873894 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/bpophoto/40834372275
Ssp. campbelliae: small body with hues less differentiated (fore/hind) than in hindei; pedal flag ambivalent
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/67046014 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/49540165 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/34294077 and https://www.inaturalist.org/guide_taxa/841823
Ssp. coronata: small body with bright hue; pedal flag absent; caudal flag absent
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/70213966 and https://www.facebook.com/Niokolo.Koba.Expedition/photos/a.1520863891514532/1675677672699819/ and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/21492171
Comments
The main problem with classification of the bush duiker into subspecies in southern Africa is that - as in the springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) - there is also clinal variation. I omit ssp. burchelli from this photo-guide because I see it as intergradational between grimmia and caffra. I include ssp. steinhardti despite seeing it as intergradational between grimmia and splendidula, because it occupies such a vast area in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. The main problem with classification into subspecies north of the Equator is not clinal but altitudinal variation. I omit ssp. madoqua despite its extensive range in Ethiopia, because the differences between it and hindei/nyansae are arguably less than the altitudinal variation within either of these.
There are remarkably few photos of ssp. orbicularis. As at June 2021, I resort to hunting photos, e.g. http://www.africahunting.com/hunting-pictures-videos/showphoto.php?photo=18447&title=5-inch-bush-duiker-hunted-in-tanzania&cat=501 and https://www.africahunting.com/media/duiker-hunting-tanzania.107528/ and https://www.africahunting.com/media/duiker-hunt-tanzania.71369/ and https://www.africahunting.com/media/duiker-hunting-tanzania.71376/ and in photo gallery of https://tanzania.heritage-safaris.com/photogallery.asp.
The following videos illustrate both the caudal flag and the pedal flag in Sylvicapra grimmia caffra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcgxAe-r5js and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3g4vFoNkLA.
@tandala @oviscanadensis_connerties @capracornelius @dejong @henrydelange
Please see my comment in a new photo of Sylvicapra grimmia coronata:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/146312642
In 2006, Vivian J Wilson, by email, informed me that the largest-bodied ssp. of Sylvicapra grimmia is steinhardti, in the Kalahari, whereas the smallest-bodied ssp. is coronata, in Senegal.
This is authoritative information, because Vivian Wilson (1932-2012) was the global authority on duikers (https://legendsandlegaciesofafrica.org/vivwilson.php and https://books.google.com.au/books/about/Duikers_of_Africa_Masters_of_the_African.html?id=JoC3AAAACAAJ&redir_esc=y).
The following (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/186400047) shows the lack of a pedal flag in the nominate Sylvicapra grimmia grimmia. The pasterns are dark, but there is no pale to offset this dark. Please compare https://nambiti.com/2018/06/14/beautiful-grey-duiker-making-appearance-dusk/, which shows the pedal flag of Sylvicapra grimmia caffra.
In Sylvicapra grimmia, there is individual variation in the hairiness of the tail.
The following two individuals show the maximum
(https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/186370214) and minimum (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/185799927) hairiness.
The following is a particularly clear depiction of Sylvicapra grimmia caffra. However, please note that the technique of photography gives a false impression of bright hue in an animal that, in the field, would actually look more greyish.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/193376927
Tibial flag
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/191574974
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/69317751
A new photo of ssp. coronata:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/196137308
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/197152436
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/196993988
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