Eudorcas rufina (Red Gazelle)

[Sebbe]

Impacts of taxonomic inertia for the conservation of African ungulate diversity: an overview

We review the state of African ungulate taxonomy over the last 120 years, with an emphasis on the introduction of the polytypic species concept and the discipline's general neglect since the middle of the 20th century. We single out negative consequences of 'orthodox' taxonomy, highlighting numerous cases of neglect of threatened lineages, unsound translocations that led to lineage introgression, and cases of maladaptation to local conditions including parasitic infections. Additionally, several captive breeding programmes have been hampered by chromosome rearrangements caused by involuntary lineage mixing. We advocate that specimen-based taxonomy should regain its keystone role in mammal research and conservation biology, with its scientific values augmented with genomic evidence. While integration with molecular biology, ecology and behaviour is needed for a full understanding of ungulate alpha diversity, we stress that morphological diversity has been neglected despite its tremendous practical importance for some groups of 'utilizers' such as trophy hunters, wildlife tourists and conservationists. We conclude that there is no evidence that purported 'taxonomic inflation' has adverse effects on ungulate conservation: rather, it is taxonomic inertia that has such adverse effects. We stress that sound science, founded on robust taxonomy, should underpin effective sustainable management (hunting, ranching, captive breeding and reintroduction programmes) of this unique African natural resource.

Available from: www.researchgate.net/publication/316365324_Impacts_of_taxonomic_inertia_for_the_conservation_of_African_ungulate_diversity_an_overview [accessed May 12, 2017].

[Peter]

I noticed that this species has been removed from the IUCN Red List. Previously it was listed as Data Deficient. Could it be considered a subspecies of Eudorcas rufifrons or does the IUCN consider this gazelle an invalid taxon?

Does anyone know the reason?

[Sebbe]

Aug 12, 2021 13:16:41 GMT Peter said:

I noticed that this species has been removed from the IUCN Red List. Previously it was listed as Data Deficient. Could it be considered a subspecies of Eudorcas rufifrons or does the IUCN consider this gazelle an invalid taxon?

Does anyone know the reason?

It seems odd. It is not treated as a synonym of Eudorcas rufifrons so most likely treated as a subspecies now.

[Peter]

Indeed odd. I know the IUCN had some doubts over the validity of red gazelle (Eudorcas rufina). I've contacted them, maybe we get an answer.

[Peter]

I've got very helpfull answers from IUCN Red List:

Janet Scott (Programme Officer Red List Unit, IUCN):

Eudorcas rufina is no longer recognised as a valid taxon by the IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group. I have copied in David Mallon and Tania Gilbert into this reply: they are, respectively, the Red List Authority Coordinator and the Programme Officer for the Specialist Group, and will be better placed to give you any further details.

David Mallon (Co-Chair IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group):

Just to add some more detail to Janet's reply: E. rufina has always been an enigmatic taxon. It was known only from a small number of skins obtained in a market in northern Algeria. It has never been seen or recorded in the wild, and there is no local word for the species, and none of the early written reports by French colonial officials and travellers ever reported any observations or local reports of this species, apart from the skins. Some authors did regard it as a valid species and published accounts of its habitat based on the area around the market where it was obtained. There are ancient trade routes across the Sahara to the Mediterranean, and it was suspected by many that these skins were traded specimens of E. rufifrons. One of our members, and an expert on the fauna of Algeria, inspected a specimen in the Natural History Museum in London and identified it as E. rufifrons. Then in Mammals of Africa (2013), the leading antelope taxonomist Colin Groves declared that there was no evidence that E. rufina had ever existed. Therefore, as Janet says, we regard it as an invalid taxon, and ineligible for Red List assessment.