A concise photo-comparison of adaptive colouration between the tsessebe and the blesbok
@michalsloviak @tonyrebelo @jeremygilmore @ludwig_muller @paradoxornithidae @tandala @oviscanadensis_connerties @simontonge @jwidness
Please see https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/77112-adaptive-colouration-in-the-tsessebe-damaliscus-lunatus-using-the-related-blesbok-for-reference# and https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/75748-adaptive-colouration-in-the-blesbok-damaliscus-pygargus-phillipsi-part-1-adults#
In this summary, I refer to adults only, of the tsessebe (Damaliscus lunatus lunatus, https://www.alamy.com/topi-tsessebi-korrigum-tsessebe-damaliscus-lunatus-in-savanna-south-africa-mokala-national-park-image255402674.html?imageid=7A297C06-C0DB-4C75-83AE-3037C9C12D4E&p=851122&pn=1&searchId=303cfda7336cba6c5732f1db91b12f81&searchtype=0) and the blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi, https://www.shutterstock.com/it/image-photo/blesbok-blesbuck-damaliscus-dorcas-phillipsi-497011045).
FACIAL BLEEZE ABSENT IN TSESSEBE BUT PRESENT IN BLESBOK
In the tsessebe, the rostrum is blackish, whereas in the blesbok the rostrum is whitish. Although these tones are both extreme, the effect is far less conspicuous in the tsessebe than in the blesbok, partly because of a lack of dark/pale contrast on the face of the tsessebe.
Tsessebe
https://stock.adobe.com/search/images?k=tsessebe&asset_id=175846122
https://stock.adobe.com/search/images?k=tsessebe&asset_id=145113726
https://stock.adobe.com/search/images?k=tsessebe&asset_id=22528301
Blesbok
https://dewetswild.com/tag/blesbok/#jp-carousel-40689
https://dewetswild.com/2016/06/23/blesbok/
https://www.freeart.com/artwork/art-print/blesbok-antelope_fa13514984.html
PYGAL FLAG PRESENT IN BOTH TSESSEBE AND BLESBOK
In both the tsessebe and the blesbok, the pelage on the upper, inner buttocks is pale, and that of the buttocks and base of tail, more broadly, is sheeny. Dependent on illumination, this can gleam conspicuously when the figure moves, even at a distance.
Tsessebe
https://depositphotos.com/3781313/stock-photo-tsessebe-antelope.html
https://stock.adobe.com/search/images?filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aphoto%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aillustration%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Azip_vector%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Avideo%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Atemplate%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3A3d%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aaudio%5D=0&filters%5Binclude_stock_enterprise%5D=0&filters%5Bis_editorial%5D=0&filters%5Bfree_collection%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aimage%5D=1&k=tsessebe&order=relevance&price%5B%24%5D=1&safe_search=1&limit=100&search_page=2&get_facets=0&search_type=pagination&asset_id=496136014
Blesbok
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gerdavs/30537405800
https://unsplash.com/photos/6QUPjrFJ_cU
https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/blesbok-royalty-free-image/1351086134?phrase=blesbok&adppopup=true
https://stock.adobe.com/search/images?k=blesbok&asset_id=357665041
ULNAR FLAG ABSENT IN TSESSEBE BUT PRESENT IN BLESBOK
In both the tsessebe and the blesbok, the pelage on the upper foreleg tends to be dark, with a pale patch on its posterior surface. This potentially complements the pygal flag, in posteriolateral view.
However, only in the blesbok is this conspicuous enough to qualify as a flag.
Tsessebe
https://www.flickr.com/photos/42964440@N08/52226882444
Scroll in https://mattanu.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Kriek-Wildlife-Group-Journal-Kriek-Wildlife-Group-Journal.pdf
Blesbok
https://stock.adobe.com/search/images?filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aphoto%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aillustration%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Azip_vector%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Avideo%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Atemplate%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3A3d%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aaudio%5D=0&filters%5Binclude_stock_enterprise%5D=0&filters%5Bis_editorial%5D=0&filters%5Bfree_collection%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aimage%5D=1&k=blesbok&order=relevance&price%5B%24%5D=1&safe_search=1&limit=100&search_page=3&search_type=pagination&get_facets=0&asset_id=514194342
https://stock.adobe.com/search/images?filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aphoto%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aillustration%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Azip_vector%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Avideo%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Atemplate%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3A3d%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aaudio%5D=0&filters%5Binclude_stock_enterprise%5D=0&filters%5Bis_editorial%5D=0&filters%5Bfree_collection%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aimage%5D=1&k=blesbok&order=relevance&price%5B%24%5D=1&safe_search=1&search_page=2&get_facets=0&search_type=pagination&asset_id=216887690
ABDOMINAL FLAG ABSENT IN TSESSEBE BUT PRESENT IN BLESBOK
In both the tsessebe and the blesbok, the pelage immediately anterior to the knee tends to be pale. However, in the tsessebe this is not conspicuous enough to qualify as a flag, whereas in the blesbok the pelage in question is whitish, and conspicuous in/at certain illuminations and perspectives.
Tsessebe
https://www.flickr.com/photos/berniedup/50213649897
Blesbok
https://dewetswild.com/2016/06/23/blesbok/#jp-carousel-10761
PEDAL FLAG ABSENT IN TSESSEBE BUT PRESENT IN BLESBOK
In both the tsessebe and the blesbok, the pelage on the lower legs tends to be pale relative to that on the upper legs. This is potentially conspicuous when the animal walks.
However, only in the blesbok is this conspicuousness realised, because the inner surface of the lower foreleg in particular is whitish.
AURICULAR FLAG ABSENT IN TSESSEBE BUT PRESENT IN BLESBOK
In both the tsessebe and the blesbok, the posterior surface of the ear pinna has medium tone in terms of its pigmentation. However, in the blesbok the sparse, short pelage on this surface is so sheeny that the back-of-ear appears conspicuously pale according to illumination and perspective. This effect is never seen in the tsessebe.
Tsessebe
https://stock.adobe.com/search/images?filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aphoto%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aillustration%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Azip_vector%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Avideo%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Atemplate%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3A3d%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aaudio%5D=0&filters%5Binclude_stock_enterprise%5D=0&filters%5Bis_editorial%5D=0&filters%5Bfree_collection%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aimage%5D=1&k=tsessebe&order=relevance&price%5B%24%5D=1&safe_search=1&limit=100&search_page=3&search_type=pagination&get_facets=0&asset_id=137949696
https://stock.adobe.com/search/images?k=tsessebe&asset_id=275109674
https://dewetswild.com/2016/08/19/tsessebe/#jp-carousel-22068
Blesbok
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-blesbuck-late-afternoon-field-blesbok-antelope-endemic-to-south-africa-has-distinctive-white-image77761759
https://dewetswild.com/tag/blesbok/#jp-carousel-10763
CAUDAL FLAG ABSENT IN BOTH TSESSEBE AND BLESBOK
The tails of the tsessebe and the blesbok are surprisingly different in structure, considering that they belong to the same genus. The tail of the tsessebe is less conspicuous than that of the blesbok, because the dark tail-tassel is thin. However, neither the tsessebe nor the blesbok possesses a caudal flag, at least in the context of anti-predator displays. This is mainly because the tails are not raised or wagged in alarm or while fleeing.
Tsessebe
https://stock.adobe.com/search/images?k=tsessebe&asset_id=7408032
https://stock.adobe.com/search/images?k=tsessebe&asset_id=153266289
https://stock.adobe.com/search/images?k=tsessebe&asset_id=433137353
Blesbok
https://www.shutterstock.com/it/image-photo/adult-male-blesbok-damaliscus-pygargus-phillipsibrown-365902583
https://www.natureinstock.com/search/preview/blesbok-damaliscus-dorcas-phillipsi-running-rietvlei-nature-reserve/0_10092533.html
https://dewetswild.com/tag/blesbok/#jp-carousel-10774
For an index to my many Posts about the genus Damaliscus, please see https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/78238-an-index-to-my-posts-on-genus-damaliscus#.
Comments
https://dewetswild.com/2016/08/19/tsessebe/
Shift
https://dewetswild.com/tag/blesbok/#jp-carousel-37098
I have found nonevidence of a buccal semet in the tsessebe:
https://stock.adobe.com/search/images?k=tsessebe&asset_id=413733329
https://stock.adobe.com/search/images?filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aphoto%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aillustration%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Azip_vector%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Avideo%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Atemplate%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3A3d%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aaudio%5D=0&filters%5Binclude_stock_enterprise%5D=0&filters%5Bis_editorial%5D=0&filters%5Bfree_collection%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aimage%5D=1&k=tsessebe&order=relevance&price%5B%24%5D=1&safe_search=1&limit=100&search_page=5&search_type=pagination&get_facets=0&asset_id=262125352
Shift
https://stock.adobe.com/search/images?filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aphoto%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aillustration%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Azip_vector%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Avideo%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Atemplate%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3A3d%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aaudio%5D=0&filters%5Binclude_stock_enterprise%5D=0&filters%5Bis_editorial%5D=0&filters%5Bfree_collection%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aimage%5D=1&k=tsessebe&order=relevance&price%5B%24%5D=1&safe_search=1&limit=100&search_page=3&search_type=pagination&get_facets=0&asset_id=488374876
https://stock.adobe.com/search/images?filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aphoto%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aillustration%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Azip_vector%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Avideo%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Atemplate%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3A3d%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aaudio%5D=0&filters%5Binclude_stock_enterprise%5D=0&filters%5Bis_editorial%5D=0&filters%5Bfree_collection%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aimage%5D=1&k=tsessebe&order=relevance&price%5B%24%5D=1&safe_search=1&limit=100&search_page=3&search_type=pagination&get_facets=0&asset_id=522690058
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paullew/10153737126
https://www.wintershoeksafaris.com/species/the-tsessebe/
http://cannundrum.blogspot.com/2018/10/common-tsessebe.html
Damaliscus jimela:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/Topi_%28Damaliscus_lunatus_jimela%29_female.jpg
https://www.safaribookings.com/mountain-zebra-np/photos#photo7
https://www.andrewschoemanphotography.com/mountain-zebra-national-park-part
shift
https://depositphotos.com/300166236/stock-video-black-wildebeest-connochaetes-gnou-herd.html
Blesbok
https://dewetswild.com/2016/06/23/blesbok/#jp-carousel-40688
https://dewetswild.com/2016/06/23/blesbok/#jp-carousel-23697
https://dewetswild.com/2016/06/23/blesbok/#jp-carousel-36005
Scroll in https://www.huntshack.net/africa/
The only photo that shows a hint of auricular flag in the tsessebe is https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/90239182.
The following, of the blesbok, are informative in several ways:
phttps://www.zoochat.com/community/media/blesbok-juvenile.556012/
https://www.zoochat.com/community/media/blesbok-juvenile.524743/
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-juvenile-south-african-blesbok-or-blesbuck-antelope-damaliscus-pygargus-87544610.html
According to Estes (1991):
page 143: 'Damaliscus lunatus' (in the loose sense) 'social and reproductive organization appears to be more variable than that of any other antelope'.
page 143:'Damaliscus lunatus': 'calves may be either hiders or followers'.
page 144, referring to jimela: 'Topi herds often, possibly even routinely, make a move at the end of their afternoon feeding peaks, just after dark before settling down to ruminate...Young calves then usually leave the herd one by one and go off 100 m or so to bed down for the night.'
According to Estes (1993):
page 114 (referring to Damaliscus lunatus in the loose sense): 'Typical hider system in dispersed, resident pattern, but in aggregations calves that would normally hide for 3 weeks stay with the aggregation by day, go off to spend the night in hiding soon after dark. Calves past hiding stage associate in creches.'
According to Estes (1991), page 143:
Referring to jimela in the Serengeti ecosystem:
"In the bull's absence, the dominant cow may actually behave like a territorial male, approaching intruding cows and even bulls in the rocking canter and performing the high-stepping display."
"...topis in aggregations often rest standing in parallel ranks, with eyes apparently closed, but keep nodding to one another. This behavior is particularly frequent in male groups and seems to be a form of signaling, but the meaning has yet to be deciphered."
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