Speke's gazelle (Gazella spekei) is the smallest of the gazelle species. It is confined to the Horn of Africa, where it inhabits stony brush, grass steppes, and semi deserts.[2] This species has been sometimes regarded as a subspecies of the Dorcas gazelle, though this is now widely disregarded.[3] Severe habitat fragmentation means it is now impossible to assess the natural migratory or nomadic patterns of G. spekei.[4] Its numbers are under threat, and despite an increase in population, the IUCN in 2007 announced its status had changed from vulnerable to endangered. A captive population is maintained, and the wild population exists in the lower tens of thousands. As of 2008, this gazelle is classified as endangered under the IUCN Red List.
| Speke's gazelle | |
|---|---|
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| At the San Diego Zoo | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Family: | Bovidae |
| Subfamily: | Antilopinae |
| Tribe: | Antilopini |
| Genus: | Gazella |
| Species: | G. spekei
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| Binomial name | |
| Gazella spekei Blyth, 1863
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Speke's gazelle is named after John Hanning Speke, a British explorer of Central Africa. It is notable for its distinctively narrow and pointed face, and its large, inflatable nasal passages which it uses to produce a loud honking sound, especially during the breeding season as part of a display to attract mates.[5]
References
edit- ^ IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group (2016). "Gazella spekei". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T8975A50187314. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T8975A50187314.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ Kingdom 1982, 1997[full citation needed]
- ^ Groves 1969[full citation needed]
- ^ East 1996[full citation needed]
- ^ "Speke's Gazelle". Saint Louis Zoo. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
External links
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