Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) of Laikipia County

By Yvonne de Jong and Tom Butynski, Eastern Africa Primate Diversity and Conservation Program, Lolldaiga Hills Research Programme

Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus, one of biggest antelopes on Lolldaiga Hills Ranch (Laikipia County, central Kenya), are found throughout the Ranch but prefer the higher grasslands and vegetation along the streams and dams of central and south Lolldaiga. Waterbucks are, as their name indicates, highly water-depended. They are limited in their ability to conserve water and are unable to endure dry periods in hot environments. 

Two Waterbuck taxa occur in Kenya: Defassa Waterbuck Kobus (ellipsiprymnus) defassa and Common (or Ellipsen) Waterbuck Kobus (ellipsiprymnus) ellipsiprymnus. Their taxonomic arrangement is debated; some authors (e.g., Lorenzen et al. 2006, Spinage 2013, Kingdon 1982, 2015) treat these taxa as subspecies, while others (e.g, Stewart & Stewart 1963, Groves & Grubb 2011) consider them species. Generally, Defassa Waterbuck occur in Kenya and Tanzania west of the Eastern Rift Valley, and Common Waterbuck east of the Rift. Their ranges overlap in north Tanzania (e.g., Lake Manyara) and in south and central Kenya (Stewart & Stewart 1963, Lorenzen et al. 2006, Spinage 2013). Defassa Waterbuck occur on Lolldaiga Hills Ranch while Common Waterbuck are present ca. 50 km to the northeast in Samburu National Reserve and ca. 100 km to the east in Meru National Park. It is not known where Defassa Waterbuck gives way to Common Waterbuck in this region, or whether Common Waterbuck are present in Laikipia County.

Read the full blog on: http://www.lolldaiga.com/waterbuck-kobus-ellipsiprymnus-laikipia-county/

Publicado el noviembre 13, 2017 05:00 TARDE por dejong