Black-fronted duiker

The black-fronted duiker (Cephalophus nigrifrons) is a small antelope found in central and west-central Africa.

Black-fronted duiker
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Genus: Cephalophus
Species:
C. nigrifons
Binomial name
Cephalophus nigrifons
Gray, 1871

Description

The black-fronted duiker is a compact, short-necked and active antelope which gets its name from the broad black streak that runs from the nose to its forehead, a feature distinguishing it from its congeners. It has a glossy coat which is deep reddish-mahogany to a lighter orange-chestnut in colour, the hair becoming sparser and darker on the long legs. It has a short tail which is black with a white tip. They have short, pointed horns, measuring 4–12 cm which are carried by both sexes and are used for defence against other duikers and predators. Their elongated hooves appear to be an adaptation to the wet habitats they seem to prefer. It weighs 14–18 kg (31–40 lb) and a shoulder height of 43 cm (17 in).[2]

Distribution

The black-fronted duiker is found in central and west-central Africa, with an isolated population in the Niger Delta in eastern Nigeria and then from southern Cameroon west to western Kenya and northern Angola.[1]

Habitat

The black-fronted duiker occurs in montane, lowland, and swamp forests, from near sea level up to an altitude of 3,500 metres, it is frequently recorded in wetter areas such as marshes or on the margins of rivers or streams.[2]

Habits

The black-fronted duiker is territorial and monogamous, each pair oding a territory which it defends against their neighbours and is marked using the secretions of the facial glands. The pair have habitual paths within their which connect sleeping sites with feeding areas, and allow them to be active during both day and night. They are mainly browsers but will also feed on fruit.[2]

Subspecies

The currently recognised subspecies are:[3]

  • Cephalophus nigrifrons fosteri St. Leger, 1934
  • Cephalophus nigrifrons hooki St. Leger, 1934
  • Cephalophus nigrifrons hypoxanthus Grubb and Groves, 2002
  • Cephalophus nigrifrons kivuensis Lönnberg, 1919
  • Cephalophus nigrifrons nigrifrons Gray, 1871 .
  • Cephalophus nigrifrons rubidus Thomas, 1901: Ruwenzori duiker

References
  1. IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group (2008). "Cephalophus nigrifons". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008. Retrieved 29 March 2009. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of least concern.
  2. "Black-fronted duiker". Wildscreen Arkive. Wildscreen. Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  3. "Cephalophus nigrifrons nigrifrons Gray, 1871". Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) (https://www.itis.gov). Retrieved 18 November 2016.
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