Bovidae Author Don E. Wilson Author Russell A. Mittermeier text 2011 2011-08-31 Lynx Edicions Barcelona Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 2 Hoofed Mammals 444 779 book chapter 58516 10.5281/zenodo.6512484 67b52095-db4b-43f8-a661-4aced0511111 978-84-96553-77-4 6512484 114. Western Reedbuck Redunca redunca French: Rédunca commun / German: Senegal-Riedbock / Spanish: Redunca occidental Other common names: Nagor Reedbuck , Senegal Reedbuck Taxonomy. Antilope redunca Pallas, 1767 , Senegal , Goree Island . The species name R. redunca formerly included R. nigeriensis , R. cottoni , and R. bohor as subspecies. Under the current classification, R. redunca is restricted to western Africa. This species is considered monotypic here. Distribution. W Africa, from Senegal to SW Nigeria ; the Niger River is provisionally used to separate the distributions of the Western Reedbuck and the Nigerian Reedbuck ( R. nigeriensis ). Descriptive notes. Few measurements available. Shoulder height c. 68 cm . Based on skull measurements, the Western Reedbuckis the smallest of the four northern reedbucks (Western Reedbuck, Nigerian Reedbuck, Sudan Reedbuck, R. cottoni, and Bohor Reedbuck, R. bohor ). The pelage is a uniform golden yellow over the body, neck, and head, and has only minimal grizzling. The coat is relatively long, imparting a slightly shaggy appearance. The legs are the same color as the body and characteristically lack any dark markings. The tail is short and not particularly bushy, with a bright white underside. Subauricular glands are visible as dark circles beneath the ears. Males possess a pair of short, stout horns up to 25 cm long. Typical of reedbucks, the horns have a forward curvature; the horn tips of the Western Reedbuck are sharply hooked forward and inward. Dental formulais10/3,C0/1,P3/3,M 3/3 (x2) = 32. Habitat. Savanna woodlands near permanent water sources, with a preference for areas with tall grass. Riverine areas are used extensively during the dry season. This species may colonize abandoned agricultural areas. In Benin , population densities of 0-14-0-7 ind/km?* have been recorded in both protected areas and regions with severe hunting pressure. Food and Feeding. There is no specific information available for this species, butit is a grazer. Breeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but the maximum recorded longevity in captivity is ten years and eight months. Activity patterns. There is no specific information available for this species, but likely similar to the Bohor Reedbuck. Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no specific information available for this species, but likely similar to the Nigerian Reedbuck and the Bohor Reedbuck. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List (this status combines the populations of four separate species: R. redunca , R. nigeriensis, R. cottoni, and R. bohor ). Although formerly widespread, populations of Western Reedbuck have undergone significant declines in recent decades. Numbers are very low and fragmented across much ofits distribution; viable populations are generally restricted to protected areas, such as Boucle du Baoule and Bafing Protected Areas in Mali , Niokolo-Koba National Park in Senegal , and the Arly-Singou Protected Area and Nazinga Game Ranch in Burkina Faso . Ongoing threats include overhunting, habitat destruction and desertification, and competition with domestic livestock. Bibliography. East (1999), Heringa (1990), IUCN/SSC Antelope Specialist Group (2008az), Kingdon (1997), Lydekker (1914), Sayer & Green (1984), Sinsin et al. (2002), Sournia & Dupuy (1990), Weigl (2005).