Given that Madoqua saltiana [sensu lato] has now been split into several species, I wonder exactly which taxon this is: the strong contrast between the colours is apparently not typical of Madoqua saltiana [sensu stricto].
Well Mike..we will find out soon enough i suppose! If the Lynx handbook is anything to go by it looks more like a Swaynes.From memory i remember the ones at Al Wabra as having red/brown on the lower body and remarking that that they had the same body colour as the Beira there...or were they phillipsi?..you will remember!
Well Mike..we will find out soon enough i suppose! If the Lynx handbook is anything to go by it looks more like a Swaynes.From memory i remember the ones at Al Wabra as having red/brown on the lower body and remarking that that they had the same body colour as the Beira there...or were they phillipsi?..you will remember!
Very interesting twist in the identification of dikdik. Those who saw the Al Wabra animal can compare with this one? I will upload another few pictures for help...
In the Al Wabra animals (M. phillipsi) the reddish colouring comes higher up the flanks than on the dik-dik shown in these photos.
Unfortunately, as far as other taxa are concerned, I can only compare the photos to pictures: none of which seem to exactly match the photographed specimen.
Tim Brown and I are planning to visit Moscow Zoo shortly. It may be that we will find out more about the origin of their dik-diks.
Wish you a good trip to Moscow! Don't think you will find more information about origin of dikdiks, actually it's well known... Anyway, if you need any contacts in Moscow zoo, you can write me on alexkant@netvision.net.il
Many thanks alexkant for your offer..i know Director Spitsin from the past so contacts for the numerous taxa which are not on display should not be a problem.We will also go out to the breeding centre and Tula Exotarium,we fly tomorrow.I havent been for ten years so it will be very interesting to see if the zoo,and Moscow have changed much.
Dear Tim,
The breeding center is really worth to see after 10 years. Unfortunately, with the last saiga antelope, but Sichuan takins, Severtzov`s argalis and many other rare animals are on display. By the way, they also keep a lot of reptiles since a few months. So, once again, have a good trip!
Best regards,
Alex
It now seems to be the consensus that the Moscow animal is a Silver Dik-dik (Madoqua piacentinii), and I see the photo heading has been changed to that effect. Certainly that's the closest visual match, but has the identification been confirmed in other ways? (genetically?)
