@tonyrebelo @jeremygilmore @tandala @oviscanadensis_connerties @capracornelius @beartracker @paradoxornithidae @simontonge @jwidness @dejong @zarek @davidbygott @doug263 @dinofelis @matthewinabinett @koenbetjes @maxallen @ludwig_muller
It is well-known that Coke's hartebeest (Alcelaphus cokii) has a habit of standing on termite mounds (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/15056635 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/128057846).
This behaviour could be masculine self-advertisement, as part of territoriality.
Alternatively, it could be sentry behaviour, in which individuals elect to stand vigilant on behalf of the group.
The latter possibility is by far the more intriguing, because it implies a level of altruism not usually associated with ungulates.
One way to test these ideas is to examine the sex of individuals photographed standing on termite mounds.
This is because females are not territorial in hartebeests, and have no known incentives for self-advertisement or vigilance vs rivals.
There are possibly two thousand photos of A. cokii available on the Web. I have not attempted to find all those showing figures standing on termite mounds. However, I have assessed the relative numbers of the two sexes, with the following results.
ADULT MALES
https://www.pond5.com/stock-footage/item/93805657-red-hartebeest-termite-mound-fights-flies
https://focusedcollection.com/164919712/stock-photo-hartebeest-and-topi-standing.html
https://www.mindenpictures.com/stock-photo-coke-s-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-cokii-male-on-termite-mount-naturephotography-image00536760.html
https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/1226947/view/coke-s-hartebeest-on-a-termite-mound
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-cokes-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-cokii-maasai-mara-national-57265047.html
Scroll to two photos in https://eol.org/pages/4447810/media
https://eol.org/pages/4447810/media?resource_id=2
https://www.agefotostock.com/age/en/details-photo/coke-s-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-cokii-one-using-termite-mound-for-a-better-view-serengeti-national-park-tanzania/NHP-ZB385_338626_057
https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-images-coke-s-hartebeest-image24141059
https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/cokes-hartenbeest--686376799460550934/
https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=%22coke%27s+hartebeest%22&asset_id=525678718
https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=%22coke%27s+hartebeest%22&asset_id=302460417
https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=%22coke%27s+hartebeest%22&asset_id=37685853
https://stock.adobe.com/search?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=%22coke%27s+hartebeest%22&order=relevance&safe_search=1&limit=100&search_page=2&get_facets=0&search_type=pagination&asset_id=302460387
https://stock.adobe.com/search?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=%22coke%27s+hartebeest%22&order=relevance&safe_search=1&limit=100&search_page=2&get_facets=0&search_type=pagination&asset_id=324254074
https://stock.adobe.com/search?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=%22coke%27s+hartebeest%22&order=relevance&safe_search=1&limit=100&search_page=2&get_facets=0&search_type=pagination&asset_id=324254099
https://www.michael-lizanne-photography.com/hartebeest?lightbox=dataItem-kjo0q8dw1
https://www.flickr.com/photos/trissysviewpoint/49183138358
https://focusedcollection.com/286923004/stock-photo-scenic-view-beautiful-hartebeest-wild.html
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-hartebeest-standing-on-a-termite-mound-serengeti-national-park-tanzania-82248011.html
https://www.alamy.com/cokes-hartebeest-standing-on-termite-mound-to-watch-for-predators-image255568828.html
https://www.alamy.com/cokes-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-cokii-standing-on-a-termite-mound-lualenyi-tsavo-kenya-image406929905.html
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Coke%27s_Hartebeest_Masai_Mara_Kenya_%2820435447605%29.jpg
Scroll to two photos in http://theedges.org/Travel/Kenya/Kenya-Animals/Hartebeest_Kenya_safari.html
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/hartebeest-on-a-mount-at-masai-mara-game-reserve-africa-kenya-gm1138078499-303696617?phrase=hartebeest%20alcelaphus%20buselaphus%20antelope%20in%20kenya
https://www.istockphoto.com/search/2/image?phrase=hartebeest+serengeti+national+park+tanzania+africa
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/hartebeest-stands-on-termite-mound-in-grassland-gm953862436-260410742?phrase=hartebeest%20serengeti%20national%20park%20tanzania%20africa
https://www.mindenpictures.com/stock-photo/coke-39s-hartebeest-(alcelaphus-buselaphus)-standing-on-a-mound-masai-mara/search/detailmodal-0_90823870.html
https://www.robertharding.com/preview/1116-49278/coke-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-cokii-stands-mound-eyeing/
https://www.dreamstime.com/coke-hartebeest-stands-mound-profile-image163837210
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-hartebeest-standing-on-a-termite-mound-serengeti-national-park-tanzania-82248011.html
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-large-antelope-from-african-savanna-176199684.html?imageid=D2062086-D46F-4F84-B651-B5C83EC554B9&p=441453&pn=1&searchId=37431ac2b0a2ed84d44bbc486b030195&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-male-coke-s-hartebeest-or-kongoni-standing-on-a-termite-mound-in-ngorongoro-12238394.html?imageid=566D905E-677F-4472-B804-78CB0855D15F&p=6945&pn=2&searchId=5d60002e5096f578f8420d13bce4e56d&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/male-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-cokii-stands-on-mound-eyeing-camera-serengeti-national-park-tanzania-image262221889.html?imageid=8229B4F2-77F4-4866-BBB6-52DA5AD394A0&p=707923&pn=2&searchId=5d60002e5096f578f8420d13bce4e56d&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-ssp-cokii-standing-on-termite-mound-84308935.html?imageid=4FA53250-FA88-4A53-8513-EECDFDF77A3A&p=42009&pn=3&searchId=98ec843b0f3e0b1de93356287b73b36a&searchtype=0
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/57105753
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/17176531
Juvenile males
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-coke-s-hartebeest-or-kongoni-on-termite-mound-masai-mara-national-12238356.html
ADULT FEMALES
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-two-topi-damaliscus-korrigum-on-termite-mounds-masai-mara-national-29905337.html
https://www.mindenpictures.com/stock-photo-red-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-standing-on-termite-mound-masai-naturephotography-image90358955.html
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/two-coke-hartebeest-stand-on-grassy-1717314901
https://stock.adobe.com/search?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=%22coke%27s+hartebeest%22&order=relevance&safe_search=1&limit=100&search_page=3&get_facets=0&search_type=pagination&asset_id=199675631
https://stock.adobe.com/search?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=%22coke%27s+hartebeest%22&order=relevance&safe_search=1&limit=100&search_page=3&get_facets=0&search_type=pagination&asset_id=199675624
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-kongonialcelaphus-buselaphuskuhantilopehartebeest-79959367.html?imageid=E64AA8E3-0C64-42DD-A023-EB4DADC80FFF&p=205178&pn=18&searchId=99dd6ba96a8f0041e3bf727fcb3d6b69&searchtype=0
https://www.mediastorehouse.com/auscape/photographer-galleries/joe-mcdonald/cokes-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-cokii-20120254.html
https://www.westend61.de/en/imageView/ISF23599/cokes-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-cokii-on-termite-mound-mountains-in-background-voi-tsavo-kenya
Scroll in https://africafreak.com/cokes-hartebeest
https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=%22coke%27s+hartebeest%22&asset_id=344079405
https://stock.adobe.com/search?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=%22coke%27s+hartebeest%22&order=relevance&safe_search=1&limit=100&search_page=2&get_facets=0&search_type=pagination&asset_id=324253943
https://stock.adobe.com/au/search/video?filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aphoto%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aillustration%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Azip_vector%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Avideo%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Atemplate%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3A3d%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aaudio%5D=0&filters%5Binclude_stock_enterprise%5D=0&filters%5Bis_editorial%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aimage%5D=0&k=%22coke%27s+hartebeest%22&order=relevance&safe_search=1&limit=100&search_type=asset-type-change&search_page=1&get_facets=0&asset_id=199645823
https://www.alamy.com/cokes-hartebeest-standing-on-termite-mound-to-watch-for-predators-image255568820.html
https://www.alamy.com/cokes-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-cokii-standing-on-a-termite-mound-lualenyi-tsavo-kenya-image406929905.html
scroll in https://www.elizabethcainauthor.com/photographs-artwork
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/9133627
https://www.mediastorehouse.com/auscape/photographer-galleries/joe-mcdonald/cokes-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-cokii-20120662.html#openModal
https://blog.snapshotserengeti.org/2017/07/26/how-termites-shape-the-serengeti/
https://www.ardeaprints.com/danita-delimont/topi-damaliscus-korrigum-standing-guard-25396093.html#openModal
DISCUSSION
I have found about 38 photos of males, vs about 18 of females.
How should we interpret the fact that females of A. cokii are fairly frequently photographed standing on termite mounds?
If we assume that the main advantage is vigilance, then there are basically three alternatives.
The vigilance could be social or anti-predatory, and it could be selfish or altruistic.
This means that females, standing on termite mounds, could be
- monitoring other members of their own group,
- watching out for predators for selfish reasons (including their own infant of the time), or
- watching out for predators partly on behalf of the rest of their group, particularly when the other members are foraging as opposed to resting/ruminating.
Can readers think of any incentive for females to monitor intraspecifically, or to self-advertise, in a way analogous to territorial males? I know of none.
For females to be watching out for predators in this way, for selfish reasons, does not seem to make sense. This is because the main role of standing on termite mounds, in any population of A. cokii, would be associated with females, meaning that the masculine significance of a self-advertising position would be undermined.
To my mind, this leaves as most likely the third possibility: that A. cokii does indeed show sentry behaviour.
Do readers have a better interpretation?
If hartebeests show sentry behaviour, this may be consistent with the fact that they are somewhat brainier than other, comparable ruminants.
Based on the data in https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1560022/, the following are apparent.
Alcelaphus 'buselaphus' of body mass about 155 kg has brain mass about 295 g.
More generally, alcelaphins (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcelaphinae), of body mass about 150 kilograms, have brain mass about 325 grams.
By comparison, hippotragins (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grazing_antelope), of similar body mass, have brain mass only about 280 g.
Opportunity for comparison with reduncins (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reduncinae) is limited. However, Kobus leche (https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/42329-Kobus-leche) and the alcelaphin Damaliscus lunatus (https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/42276-Damaliscus-lunatus) both have body mass about 125 kg. The reduncin, with brain mass 224 g, falls short of the alcelaphin, with 288 g.
All ruminants tend to be less brainy than equids, as shown by comparison of Alcelaphus lichtensteini with Equus africanus, both of which have body mass about 170 kg: brain masses of 355 g vs 389 g. However, the alcelaphin Connochaetes taurinus, although stated to have body mass only 158 kg, has brain mass 363 g, approaching the brainess of the equid.
(For comparison, Hippotragus niger, https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/42334-Hippotragus-niger, with body mass 162 kg, has brain mass only 282 g.)
Coke's hartebeest and other alcelaphins are often said to look stupid, owing to their long faces. However, the above numbers show that this is misleading.
In summary, I suggest the following:
There is some photographic evidence for sentry behaviour in Alcelaphus cokii.
This can perhaps be understood in light of a degree of social complexity that may surprise many naturalists, misled by
- a facial conformation that we do not associate with intelligence, and
- the loose gregariousness of A. cokii.
Also see https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/71651-sexual-ratio-of-standing-on-termite-mounds-by-the-topi-damaliscus-jimela#.
Posted on
October 18, 2022 09:31 AM
by
milewski
Comments
Shift
https://alchetron.com/Swayne%27s-hartebeest
Shift to malar stripe Post
https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/389738/view/hartebeest
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/paused-antelope-gm1266092935-371058534?phrase=hartebeest%20alcelaphus%20buselaphus%20antelope%20in%20kenya
Shift
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/kongoni-leaing-in-the-wild-of-the-masai-mara-gm508302523-46004832?phrase=hartebeest%20alcelaphus%20buselaphus%20antelope%20in%20kenya
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/kongoni-hartebeest-prancing-during-mating-display-gm508096653-46004466?phrase=hartebeest%20alcelaphus%20buselaphus%20antelope%20in%20kenya
Shift
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/running-hartebeest-gm629238490-111905577?phrase=hartebeest%20alcelaphus%20buselaphus%20antelope%20in%20kenya
Show brindling
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-calf-suckling-mother-masai-mara-park-in-kenya-gm1223451632-359391835?phrase=hartebeest%20alcelaphus%20buselaphus%20antelope%20in%20kenya
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-masai-mara-park-in-kenya-gm1223451693-359391842?phrase=hartebeest%20alcelaphus%20buselaphus%20antelope%20in%20kenya
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/cow-antelope-in-the-steppe-gm513115242-87464591?phrase=hartebeest%20alcelaphus%20buselaphus%20antelope%20in%20kenya
looks like hybrid
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/blue-wildebeest-connochaetes-taurinus-gm882934856-245635602?phrase=hartebeest%20serengeti%20national%20park%20tanzania%20africa
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/blue-wildebeest-connochaetes-taurinus-gm882934420-245635448?phrase=hartebeest%20serengeti%20national%20park%20tanzania%20africa
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/the-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-also-known-as-kongoni-is-an-african-antelope-gm1209135960-349776586?phrase=hartebeest%20serengeti%20national%20park%20tanzania%20africa
https://www.mindenpictures.com/stock-photo/cokes-hartebeest-(alcelaphus-buselaphus-cokii)-adult-running-in-grassland/search/detailmodal-0_80190292.html
DAMALISCUS PYGARGUS PYGARGUS
https://www.monaconatureencyclopedia.com/damaliscus-dorcas/?lang=en
https://www.bigstockphoto.com/image-456653891/stock-photo-red-hartebeest-%28alcelaphus-buselaphus%29-mountain-zebra-national-park%2C-south-africa
https://www.bigstockphoto.com/image-218162821/stock-photo-a-group-of-jackson-hartebeest-running-away-after-taking-a-picture-on-an-early-morning-in-murchison-national-park-in-uganda-too-bad-this-place-is-endangered-by-oil-drilling-companies
https://www.bigstockphoto.com/image-59755286/stock-photo-red-hartebeest-wildlife-background-from-africa-run-of-the-free
https://www.bigstockphoto.com/image-59755280/stock-photo-red-hartebeest-wildlife-background-from-africa-run-of-red
https://www.bigstockphoto.com/image-55465844/stock-photo-lelwel-hartebeest-in-the-savannah
https://www.alamy.com/red-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-caama-fighting-kgalagadi-transfrontier-park-south-africa-image401312902.html?imageid=4B12FE78-914A-47F3-A372-E7AB62BF39B6&p=12455&pn=2&searchId=5d60002e5096f578f8420d13bce4e56d&searchtype=0
dark mature male Alcelaphus caama
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-red-hartebeest-red-cape-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-caama-runs-76077785.html?imageid=76396B5F-C5AB-42E2-B0AF-71501BF64F5D&p=851122&pn=2&searchId=5d60002e5096f578f8420d13bce4e56d&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-etosha-national-park-namibia-by-monika-138498697.html?imageid=EE7691C2-F255-47B8-8A6E-FFA737CDBBA7&p=382120&pn=2&searchId=5d60002e5096f578f8420d13bce4e56d&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/red-hartebeest-alcelaphus-caama-amakhala-game-reserve-south-africa-image258370582.html?imageid=3A70C811-D94F-4864-90A4-50306B8323C0&p=22059&pn=2&searchId=5d60002e5096f578f8420d13bce4e56d&searchtype=0
Evidence of creching in A. caama
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-hartebeest-adult-female-alcelaphus-buselaphus-and-young-south-africa-130487949.html?imageid=908BD44F-FA5A-4A12-87BA-B388121FC7B8&p=11411&pn=3&searchId=98ec843b0f3e0b1de93356287b73b36a&searchtype=0
Masculine darkening in A. cokii
https://www.alamy.com/hartebeest-maasai-mara-national-reserve-kenya-image221657680.html?imageid=61D39EB7-6177-4008-997E-EDFD0CCF1F8E&p=835985&pn=3&searchId=98ec843b0f3e0b1de93356287b73b36a&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-red-hartebeest-and-a-wildebeest-all-standing-facing-the-same-direction-90494932.html?imageid=5464AB09-C17E-4313-9331-F80D3088FD84&p=34420&pn=4&searchId=2a1f9a4c2eedcb2479f4b6ee20d118b3&searchtype=0
eye-mask in A. cokii
https://www.alamy.com/kongoni-or-cokes-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-image260911791.html?imageid=03804925-E28B-4C19-AF3E-CBAB88249202&p=195735&pn=4&searchId=2a1f9a4c2eedcb2479f4b6ee20d118b3&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/cokes-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-cokii-tsavo-kenya-image416391512.html?imageid=E4613447-BD58-4C06-B53B-734F7E768701&p=1396562&pn=5&searchId=415c2b7a754c3f63dc02ccf10c29b379&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-red-hartebeest-86663497.html?imageid=283D0F6E-3889-4AC1-A3A9-BAE00EC7F200&p=167797&pn=4&searchId=2a1f9a4c2eedcb2479f4b6ee20d118b3&searchtype=0
Stotting in A. lelwel, with no caudal flagging
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-jacksons-hartebeest-running-in-murchison-falls-national-park-in-uganda-25917303.html?imageid=BE652348-A366-4BD1-B6EA-C2E23B997935&p=3616&pn=4&searchId=2a1f9a4c2eedcb2479f4b6ee20d118b3&searchtype=0
Buccal semet in A. lelwel
https://www.alamy.com/jacksons-hartebeest-at-sunrise-murchison-falls-national-park-uganda-image361018233.html?imageid=C516F57E-ECEA-429D-BB0B-FC6300C61CCD&p=641873&pn=4&searchId=2a1f9a4c2eedcb2479f4b6ee20d118b3&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/jacksons-hartebeest-at-sunrise-murchison-falls-national-park-uganda-image361018229.html?imageid=1A5AC631-39E4-4948-A745-ED1EEBBA54A7&p=641873&pn=5&searchId=415c2b7a754c3f63dc02ccf10c29b379&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-lelwel-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-lelwel-murchinson-falls-national-78892769.html?imageid=0241212A-9BE0-44BE-8040-9AD372EB7740&p=60598&pn=4&searchId=2a1f9a4c2eedcb2479f4b6ee20d118b3&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/red-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-caama-kgalagadi-transfrontier-park-kalahari-northern-cape-south-africa-image416779963.html?imageid=F5B2812D-BD88-4E6A-837F-1C82C7C1EAE3&p=824482&pn=6&searchId=78c6a2f7aeacc759d9e71e69d163b928&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-red-hartebeest-in-addo-elephant-national-park-eastern-cape-south-africa-51013786.html?imageid=F7D2BB6E-E2C4-4401-80A7-749015825FF5&p=11309&pn=6&searchId=78c6a2f7aeacc759d9e71e69d163b928&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/zebra-and-red-hartebeest-in-southern-african-savanna-image151432576.html?imageid=B338631C-39C2-4BF2-9006-D3A571AE3CD9&p=291902&pn=7&searchId=bcc01e2947bf6f639efa20afe630da13&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/black-wildebeests-connochaetes-gnou-small-herd-standing-in-open-grassland-mountain-zebra-national-park-eastern-cape-image232090954.html?imageid=54670AEE-96E0-4215-BCB3-615B5129D408&p=304631&pn=9&searchId=acd821606bd16ad5b8b43176c5ed20bc&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-a-male-red-hartbeest-71122579.html?imageid=2641E67C-C8D2-4903-8048-14D40A20706D&p=156860&pn=12&searchId=48e9ad6a7639adf317bce9bbc826d1a5&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-portrait-of-walking-red-hartebeest-seen-in-namibia-africa-126161296.html?imageid=0DA46464-2961-4D1F-89EE-CE3E1BF32F12&p=289672&pn=13&searchId=f0831d97a69ee388e951aefb22d69fc6&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/etosha-np-red-hartebeest-image4913683.html?imageid=465ECD6C-0259-46EE-A457-DE23F075DF1C&p=16723&pn=13&searchId=f0831d97a69ee388e951aefb22d69fc6&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/red-hartebeests-alcelaphus-caama-these-antelopes-stand-15-metres-tall-at-the-shoulder-and-can-weigh-up-to-200-kilograms-each-red-hartebeests-live-image335481657.html?imageid=61887CCD-5483-4E06-A52D-BD351D2B9B6A&p=1782701&pn=15&searchId=deb2a414b28fda86850549d7af417df8&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-red-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-selbornei-adult-running-in-semi-84288323.html?imageid=C519AAFC-C05A-439B-8937-2B1F42D3193C&p=11592&pn=15&searchId=deb2a414b28fda86850549d7af417df8&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-red-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-selbornei-adult-running-in-semi-84288323.html?imageid=C519AAFC-C05A-439B-8937-2B1F42D3193C&p=11592&pn=15&searchId=deb2a414b28fda86850549d7af417df8&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-bontebok-damaliscus-dorcas-at-bontebok-national-park-south-africa-108872455.html?imageid=F6AD2257-A2FD-4C06-93C7-10136E2555BE&p=304091&pn=16&searchId=a4bec71af1b178b626bc5f88cf7cbba3&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-swaynes-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-swaynei-senkele-game-sanctuary-85939016.html?imageid=9E182B4D-D61D-40D2-9678-D99287ABC2BB&p=22059&pn=17&searchId=a58488a3e76f309d4755505271122d97&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-swaynes-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-swaynei-senkele-game-sanctuary-85939015.html?imageid=4F0698CE-92EB-4597-8C11-2DEE4CFE92D9&p=22059&pn=17&searchId=a58488a3e76f309d4755505271122d97&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-swaynes-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-swaynei-senkele-game-sanctuary-85939017.html?imageid=163237FD-F9D9-4E69-A468-34F37B5E66C6&p=22059&pn=18&searchId=99dd6ba96a8f0041e3bf727fcb3d6b69&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/red-hartebeest-alcelaphus-caama-on-open-plain-sub-saharan-africa-image181664512.html?imageid=AB807F79-19E6-4267-9603-9C3697E38EDC&p=738474&pn=17&searchId=a58488a3e76f309d4755505271122d97&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/africa-namibia-etosha-red-hartebeest-rutting-alcelaphus-buselaphus-image5331622.html?imageid=25BCC6F3-1491-455B-9002-34ED893FAEBB&p=14375&pn=18&searchId=99dd6ba96a8f0041e3bf727fcb3d6b69&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-cape-mountain-zebra-in-the-western-cape-102694439.html?imageid=2EAC0E40-A373-4A89-892F-A5117DFE94F5&p=279001&pn=18&searchId=99dd6ba96a8f0041e3bf727fcb3d6b69&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/red-hartebeest-ancelaphus-buselaphus-adult-left-and-adolescent-this-antelope-inhabits-grassland-and-savannah-in-sub-saharan-africa-it-lives-in-l-image335481578.html?imageid=37FD16F3-1D70-43D2-9AFE-B861FD66ED97&p=1780412&pn=18&searchId=99dd6ba96a8f0041e3bf727fcb3d6b69&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/eland-taurotragus-oryx-in-the-kalahari-trans-frontier-park-south-africa-image227634037.html?imageid=E8F09FA6-9CE0-43A9-8AB6-1D959E02F288&p=180787&pn=19&searchId=4b4c739b939216e6f31fd3bc095c60b0&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-red-hartebeest-alcelaphus-caama-spioenkop-game-reserve-south-africa-57109688.html?imageid=FC5246C6-AD99-4240-AB99-773A169117E9&p=22059&pn=20&searchId=cb33152429baedfca022be1c6067835b&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/bontebok-damaliscus-dorcas-dorcas-adult-running-foraging-cape-of-the-good-hope-western-cape-south-africa-image482771690.html?imageid=A82462CD-4CD6-4841-9673-1470DE4B16A0&p=1254424&pn=20&searchId=cb33152429baedfca022be1c6067835b&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-red-hartebeest-standing-in-the-grass-in-the-kalagadi-transfrontier-146405872.html?imageid=D1923681-0E28-432C-ACF3-4648B5EC3196&p=298586&pn=20&searchId=cb33152429baedfca022be1c6067835b&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-portrait-of-a-red-hartebeest-antelope-with-uniquely-shaped-horns-144710062.html?imageid=ED4FCBA9-3167-40CE-8FCC-B73D1D7E70E1&p=324760&pn=21&searchId=ce7ce6b059341ad215941b5e0bf9519d&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-jacksons-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-lelwel-ol-pejeta-wildlife-53892295.html?imageid=CC0BDECB-2DEF-4C77-B789-9D7894776A95&p=22059&pn=21&searchId=ce7ce6b059341ad215941b5e0bf9519d&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-jacksons-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-lelwel-ol-pejeta-wildlife-53892111.html?imageid=FA660F49-EFF5-4B64-8D44-AECB7CE6CE59&p=22059&pn=21&searchId=ce7ce6b059341ad215941b5e0bf9519d&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-jacksons-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-lelwel-ol-pejeta-wildlife-53892098.html?imageid=6A860B62-D129-49C7-8E95-027838AB77E0&p=22059&pn=21&searchId=ce7ce6b059341ad215941b5e0bf9519d&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/bontebok-female-and-juvenile-de-hoop-national-park-western-cape-south-africa-damaliscus-dorcas-dorcas-image414952533.html?imageid=304942E1-F18D-4D68-AE40-F31399C02086&p=1420153&pn=21&searchId=ce7ce6b059341ad215941b5e0bf9519d&searchtype=0
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/wild-red-hartebeest-during-the-summer-in-beautiful-pilanesberg-national-park-south-gm1358864733-432370852?phrase=red%20hartebeest
https://www.mediastorehouse.com/fine-art-storehouse/collections/imagebroker-collection-herbert-kratky-photography/african-animal-portrait-antilopinae-cropped-18238659.html#modalClose
https://www.mediastorehouse.com/auscape/photographer-galleries/joe-mcdonald/cokes-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-cokii-20120660.html#modalClose
https://www.mediastorehouse.com/ardea-wildlife-pets-environment/swaynes-hartebeest-1309514.html#modalClose
I agree that the average person would view (in general) terrestrial ungulates as not being substantially altruistic, as they are often seen as ''non-brainy'', and besides, it's often presumed that 'subtle' behaviors (e.g. Alcelaphus standing on a termite mound) are not worth mentioning. However, in seeing the observations of the above posts, novel dynamics of the social complexities of the hartebeest, especially ones not particularly realised, appear clearly. Is it plausible that the standing on termite mounds in the taxa Alcelaphus cokii is a combination of displays and altruism (e.g. Individual males presenting masculine advertisement, in tandem with females defending their own young in a rather selfish manner and/or Females & Males simultaneously demonstrating sentry behavior)?
@paradoxornithidae
Many thanks for your comment.
After you posted your comment, I added a few paragraphs to the body of my Post, above, about brain size in Alcelaphus, alcelaphins, and ruminants. Sure enough, hartebeests are among the brainiest of ruminants.
Since hartebeests (and other alcelaphins) are also extreme in their combination of speed and endurance in running, what is emerging is an exceptional clade.
The general pattern is for animals with extreme anti-predator strategies (e.g. speed in Lepus, or armour in armadillos, or noxious substances in skunks) to be below-par in braininess.
So, one could logically expect alcelaphins, with their extreme specialisation for running from both pouncing and cursorial predators, to be less brainy than the average for ruminants.
Instead, they are more brainy, indicating a multi-faceted specialisation in their anti-predator strategy - part of which might be a tactic unusual among ungulates, namely altruistic sentry-posting.
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