I think you are right fofo, that does look more like an Argali (Ovis ammon) than an Armenian red sheep (Ovis orientalis gmelini), I just wonder which subspecies of Argali this specimen is ?
One theory that crossed my mind was Altai argali (Ovis ammon ammon), what is your evidence to back up the theory that this specimen is an Armenian mouflon (Ovis orientalis gmelini) ?
One theory that crossed my mind was Altai argali (Ovis ammon ammon), what is your evidence to back up the theory that this specimen is an Armenian mouflon (Ovis orientalis gmelini) ?
Certainly, its horns resemble those of an Altai Argali (massive, corkscrew-like), an the lack of a neck ruff (present in other spp. of Argali) also suggests that it may be an Altai Argali. The saddle white patch is present in both Altai Argali and Mouflons. There is no reference to its size, which would clarify things, as Argali are considerably larger. I just based my id on the label of the entry, as Altai Argali is not found in Armenia, but I may be wrong. Anyway, taxonomy and id of those Caprinae (Argali, Urials and Mouflons), especially outside its context, is tough, at least for an aficionado like me.
I don't see a neck mane on this specimen which is something you see in Urials and some Mouflon subspecies, plus the horns and coat coloration and body structure look more like that of Altai argali (Ovis ammon ammon)
