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
230.
Crowned Duiker
Sylvicapra coronata
French:
Céphalophe couronné
/
German:
Senegal-Kronenducker
/
Spanish:
Duiker
coronado
Taxonomy.
Cephalophora coronata Gray, 1842
,
Western Africa.
Formerly considered a subspecies of
S. grimmia
,
S. coronata
is herein considered to be a separate species. The Bush Duiker subspecies
S. grimmia campbelliae
and the
Sahel
Duiker (
S. pallidior
) are sometimes attributed to
S. coronata
in literature reports, although this species, strictly speaking, is restricted to coastal West Africa. Monotypic.
Distribution.
Senegal
,
Gambia
,
Guinea-Bissau
, and
Guinea
.
Descriptive notes
. No specific measurements available, but body size is generally smaller than in the Bush Duiker (S.
grimmia
). The build is trim, with long, slender legs. The pelageis bright orange-yellow. Only scattered hairs have black tips, and thus speckling or grizzling of the coat is minimal. The mid-dorsal region tends to be darker and have a reddish sheen. The underparts are yellowish-white, and the upper halves of the limbs are whitish on their inner surfaces. All four legs are colored as the body, with dark brown patches just above the hooves. A faint brown vertical stripe marks the front of the forelegs, beginning at the hoof-patch but not reaching above the carpus. The tail has a dark brown or black tip. The ears are short compared to the Bush Duiker. A deep red facial blaze runs from the muzzle to the eyes, but it does not extend to the top of the forehead. There is a long coronal tuft. Vertically oriented spike-like horns are present in males only. Dental formula is10/3,C0/1,P 3/3,M 3/3 (x2) = 32.
Habitat.
Savanna woodland and forest-savanna mosaics, typically dominated by /Isoberlinia trees. Areas with secondary grass growth are preferred, and the color of the coat provides excellent camouflage in dry grass. Sufficient cover is a necessary habitat component. Crowned Duikers are generally present in low densities across their distribution; an estimate of 0-2 ind/km? was obtained from Niokolo
Koba
National Park in
Senegal
.
Food and Feeding.
There is no specific information available for this species, but likely a browser.
Breeding.
There is no specific information available for this species, but records from captivity indicate a life span of at leastsix years.
Activity patterns.
There is no specific information available for this species, but presumably diurnal or crespuscular like the Bush Duiker.
Movements, Home range and Social organization.
There is no specific information available for this species, but likely similar to the Bush Duiker.
Status and Conservation.
Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List (under S.
grimmia
). Widespread acrossits limited range, Crowned Duikers occupy most of their historical distribution, although the population density is much lower than it once was. The species has been assessed as uncommon in
Gambia
and
Guinea-Bissau
, and common in
Guinea
. The
Senegal
population is thought to number at least 2000 animals. This species is still locally common, especially in protected areas like Niokolo
Koba
National Park. Principal threats include hunting and habitat loss, but the population appears to be stable.
Bibliography.
East (1999), Galat et al. (1992) Galat-Luong et al. (2006), Grubb & Groves (2001), IUCN/SSC
Antelope Specialist
Group (2008ba), Lydekker (1914), Weigl (2005), Wilson (2001).