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INTRODUCTION
Everyone knows that hippotragin bovids (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=any&taxon_id=846296&view=species) tend to have conspicuous colouration on the face.
However, in previous accounts of hippotragins, the ear pinnae have not been described clearly in a comparative way. This is partly because their appearance tends to be subsumed into that of the head in general.
WHAT IS AN AURICULAR FLAG?
An auricular flag is a pattern of adaptive colouration, on and/or at the base of the ear pinnae, that is bold enough to advertise the animal - at moderate distance from the observer - when the ears, head, or whole figure move.
The assumed function of auricular flags in ungulates is medium-range communication, both intraspecific (social) and with potential predators.
Auricular flags tend to differ from auricular semets mainly
Auricular semets tend to function as facial expressions: whereas humans use the mouth and eyes/eyebrows, ungulates use the ear pinnae - which are far more mobile than in primates - instead.
By contrast, auricular flags function, at least partly, as 'visual alarm calls' and aids to gregariousness and group-cohesion.
Intrinsic to the definition of auricular flags is that the colouration of the ear pinnae can function in a converse way when the figure, head, and ears are stationary - as, for example, when an individual ungulate 'freezes' in reaction to the arrival of a scanning predator. A given pattern on the ear pinnae can be disruptive enough to aid camouflage when immobile, but bold enough to aid advertisement when the animal divulges its presence by moving (https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/80254-does-the-greater-kudu-strepsiceros-possess-an-anterior-auricular-flag#).
This ambivalence means that a degree of subjectivity is inevitable in any verdict of whether a given species possesses an auricular flag or not.
In the case of hippotragins, the criteria for auricular flags are additionally complicated, as follows.
Imagine, in a thought-experiment, that the following ear pinnae retain their colouration, while the rest of the head becomes plain-coloured (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/69314637). Would the auricular pattern not become more noticeable?
So, our approach needs to take account of how the auricular colouration, however stark in itself, has been incorporated/subsumed into the composite colouration of the whole face and head.
Throughout this Post, I heed only dark/pale contrast, not hues.
ANTERIOR VS POSTERIOR AURICULAR FLAGS
Most of the flags that I have discovered in this Post are on the anterior surface (in some cases including the anterior base) of the ear pinna. However, inns few cases, hippotagins also feature posterior auricular flags.
These are described in part 3 (https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/88277-adaptive-radiation-of-auricular-flags-in-hippotragin-bovids-hippotragus-oryx-and-addax-part-3#).
HIPPOTRAGUS EQUINUS
Factors enhancing conspicuousness of ears:
Factors detracting from conspicuousness of ears:
Overall effect:
Hippotragus equinus qualifies for an auricular flag, particularly in juveniles (https://stock.adobe.com/images/roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-savanna-antelope-found-in-west-central-east-and-southern-africa-detail-portrait-of-antelope/266580373?prev_url=detail and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/151488614 ). The ear pinnae seem partly to function as head-adornments, at a stage of life when the growing horns are still small.
Adult males:
https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/roan-antelope-male-and-female-south-africa-royalty-free-image/541054500
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-hippotragus-equinus-roan-antelope-30156557.html?imageid=D8C8C064-A826-47E2-BE6E-0A87E1DC8D69&p=87775&pn=1&searchId=5b7e805efde1b320f1fde4bd1bddb9a3&searchtype=0
Adult females:
https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/portrait-of-goat-standing-on-field-royalty-free-image/1778473255
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Roan_antelope_%28Hippotragus_equinus%29.jpg
https://www.africaimagelibrary.com/-/galleries/west-africa/senegal/-/medias/4c631c20-2120-11e0-ba98-f50f3d063bc0-roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-reserve-de-bandia-senegal
https://www.agefotostock.com/age/en/details-photo/roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-male-portrait-native-to-africa-in-captivity-germany-europe/IBR-2188756
https://www.alamy.com/portrait-of-a-roan-antelope-image469741584.html
https://www.africaimagelibrary.com/-/galleries/west-africa/senegal/-/medias/4c631c20-2120-11e0-ba98-f50f3d063bc0-roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-reserve-de-bandia-senegal
https://www.mediastorehouse.com/flpa/roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-adult-female-6543535.html
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-roan-antelope-55455157.html?imageid=CD887378-42EC-4C4F-B01B-F361AFECD724&p=197940&pn=1&searchId=d3350f0b953b17636829cec591564ee8&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/africa-tanzania-headshot-of-a-roan-antelope-image470730780.html?imageid=981D840E-4309-405D-8E25-E77A66353653&p=16459&pn=1&searchId=d3350f0b953b17636829cec591564ee8&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/roan-hippotragus-equinus-mlilwane-nature-reserve-breeding-programme-eswatini-africa-image432452607.html?imageid=A04CCD6D-C86D-4D8B-96EF-C7D99091336B&p=12455&pn=4&searchId=f4904b3f875d4b7dbcba6638b9b119cf&searchtype=0
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/roan-antelope-499585456
Adolescent males:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/150756759
https://www.alamy.com/a-rare-roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-in-natural-habitat-mokala-national-park-south-africa-image554287794.html?imageid=10134C95-E91A-4C6C-9E7C-875897EFA232&p=70019&pn=5&searchId=5ed1e1ea051df95555f6aaed35fb537c&searchtype=0
Adolescent females:
https://stock.adobe.com/images/roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-savanna-antelope-found-in-west-central-east-and-southern-africa-detail-portrait-of-antelope-head-with-big-ears-and-antlers-wildlife-in-africa/176950256
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/25801218
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/168152303
Juvenile males:
https://www.alamy.com/a-close-portrait-of-a-male-roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-in-zimbabwes-hwange-national-park-image399151037.html
https://www.alamy.com/a-close-portrait-of-a-male-roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-in-zimbabwes-hwange-national-park-image399150259.html
Juvenile females:
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-kafue-national-park-zambia-11846037.html?imageid=25F7A4C7-4B9D-452B-8921-114C4931035A&p=74587&pn=3&searchId=d47afca96099067b240be3e499db1072&searchtype=0
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-roan-antelope-portrait-savanna-southern-africa-image75288830
https://www.alamy.com/a-sable-antelope-in-the-african-bush-image432627348.html?imageid=56996DE1-B073-42E1-A741-F5F6303F616D&p=1688452&pn=6&searchId=97540ae770603cf106671452aa5a7a4b&searchtype=0
Small juveniles:
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-okavango-delta-botswana-wild-13190862.html?imageid=AEB29662-023B-4E83-834B-A49FD352708B&p=9411&pn=2&searchId=96799d31708c29134f49a83c924d2668&searchtype=0
https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-images-roan-antelope-image28234209
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-roan-antelope-on-yellow-background-99467758.html?imageid=D018A1A4-6D71-49FA-8FBC-E87CB4CA4355&p=298512&pn=1&searchId=d3350f0b953b17636829cec591564ee8&searchtype=0
Infants:
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-head-of-a-foal-of-a-roan-antelope-93550431.html?imageid=D82C61B1-5A0B-4E05-B7CF-7FDBDFA34AE6&p=291400&pn=1&searchId=5b7e805efde1b320f1fde4bd1bddb9a3&searchtype=0
https://es.123rf.com/photo_188099569_frontal-close-up-of-a-young-roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus.html
HIPPOTRAGUS NIGER
Factors enhancing conspicuousness of ears:
(The ear pinnae have dark tips, on such a small scale that their effect is easily overlooked (https://es.123rf.com/photo_47423494_rara-de-ant%C3%ADlope-sable-de-%C3%A1frica-que-mienten-en-la-hierba-seca.html and https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/photo/portrait-of-deer-standing-on-field-royalty-free-image/1587662681?phrase=sable+antelope&adppopup=true).)
Factors detracting from conspicuousness of ears:
Overall effect:
Hippotragus niger fails to qualify for an auricular flag. This is despite the fact that, in mature individuals, the whitish of the front-of-ear contrasts with the blackish extensive over most of the figure.
Another way of putting this is that, in H. niger, the anterior surface of the ear pinnae tends to be subsumed into the overall facial display (https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/photo/sable-antelope-royalty-free-image/WL003545?phrase=sable+antelope&adppopup=true and https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/photo/sable-antelope-okapuka-ranch-namibia-africa-royalty-free-image/130887303?phrase=sable+antelope&adppopup=true and https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/photo/side-view-of-deer-standing-on-field-royalty-free-image/1587662178?phrase=sable+antelope&adppopup=true).
To a lesser degree than in H. equinus, an effect of precociality is noticeable in H. niger. This is owing to slightly exaggerated size of the ear pinnae in juveniles (https://es.123rf.com/photo_41763725_ant%C3%ADlopes-sable-hippotragus-niger-en-el-h%C3%A1bitat-natural-de-%C3%A1frica-del-sur.html).
Adult males:
https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/photo/male-sable-antelope-willem-pretorius-game-reserve-royalty-free-image/98218707?phrase=sable+antelope&adppopup=true
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/sable-bull-closeup-south-africa-2263557813
https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/photo/sable-antelope-bull-africa-royalty-free-image/200351165-001?phrase=sable+antelope&adppopup=true
Adult females:
https://steenknarberg.com/billedarkiv/galleries/stockphoto-billedarkiv/roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-single
https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/photo/male-southern-sabel-antelope-side-view-of-deer-royalty-free-image/1383541155
https://es.123rf.com/photo_187507654_sable-antelope-hippotragus-niger-adult-standing-in-forest-south-africa.html
Adolescent female:
https://es.123rf.com/photo_39132163_ant%C3%ADlopes-sable-de-mujeres-hippotragus-niger-en-el-h%C3%A1bitat-natural-%C3%A1frica-del-sur.html
Juvenile female:
https://www.mediastorehouse.com/ardea-wildlife-pets-environment/sable-antelope-young-buck-kruger-national-1308736.html
ORYX DAMMAH
Factors enhancing conspicuousness of ears:
Factors detracting from conspicuousness of ears:
Overall effect:
Oryx dammah fails to qualify for an auricular flag.
Adult male:
https://pngtree.com/freebackground/scimitar-horned-oryx-antelope-south-ranch-photo_7864945.html
https://www.zoochat.com/community/media/scimitar-horned-oryx-watatunga-30-7-23.675918/
Adult females:
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/scimitar-oryx-dammah-known-sahara-scimitarhorned-672397882
https://es.123rf.com/photo_86609523_scimitar-oryx-%28oryx-dammah%29,-also-known-as-the-sahara-oryx-or-scimitar-horned-oryx.-.html
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/scimitar-oryx-gm914093506-251604395?phrase=scimitar+oryx&searchscope=image%2Cfilm
https://www.dreamstime.com/scimitar-oryx-herd-close-up-image106037373 (group includes two individuals of Oryx beisa)
Juvenile female:
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/scimitar-oryx-dammah-known-scimitarhorned-sahara-2388682347
ORYX LEUCORYX
Factors enhancing conspicuousness of ears:
Factors detracting from conspicuousness of ears:
Overall effect:
Oryx leucoryx fails to qualify for an auricular flag.
Adult females:
https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/photo/arabian-oryx-portrait-royalty-free-image/168325322?phrase=arabian+oryx&adppopup=true
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/26798021
https://www.ardeaprints.com/danita-delimont/dde-90025791-25408057.html
https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/589660/view/arabian-oryx-oryx-leucoryx-
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/arabian-oryx-leucoryx-close-white-al-1395240884
ORYX BEISA
Factors enhancing conspicuousness of ears:
Factors detracting from conspicuousness of ears:
Overall effect:
Oryx beisa qualifies for an auricular flag.
The pale pelage of the front-of-ear seems capable of partly closing/opening, as a thermoregulatory reaction (compare https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/the-east-african-oryx-also-known-as-the-beisa-is-a-species-of-antelope-from-east-gm1438803126-479215893?phrase=east+african+oryx%2C+beisa%2C+gemsbok%2C+samburu+national+park&searchscope=image%2Cfilm with https://stock.adobe.com/images/biesa-oryx-oryx-beisa-samburu-national-reserve-kenya/130108826).
Adult males:
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/male-oryx-gm1039746348-278346159?phrase=east+african+oryx%2C+beisa%2C+gemsbok%2C+samburu+national+park&searchscope=image%2Cfilm
https://www.naturepl.com/stock-photo-beisa-oryx-oryx-beisa-samburu-np-kenya-image01232481.html
Adult females:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/Common_beisa_oryx_%28Oryx_beisa_beisa%29_female.jpg
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/male-oryx-in-samburu-kenya-gm182243202-11189074?phrase=east+african+oryx%2C+beisa%2C+gemsbok%2C+samburu+national+park&searchscope=image%2Cfilm
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/beisa-oryx-kenya-gm152540336-11588452?phrase=east+african+oryx%2C+beisa%2C+gemsbok%2C+samburu+national+park&searchscope=image%2Cfilm
https://www.mediastorehouse.com.au/digital-wallpapers/worldinprint/beisa-oryx-east-african-oryx-oryx-beisa-3639207.html?prodid=3153
https://www.mediastorehouse.com.au/flpa/beisa-oryx-oryx-gazella-beisa-head-9665519.html
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/the-east-african-oryx-also-known-as-the-beisa-is-a-species-of-antelope-from-east-gm1438803111-479215891?phrase=east+african+oryx%2C+beisa%2C+gemsbok%2C+samburu+national+park&searchscope=image%2Cfilm
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/oryx-desert-antelope-gm183880545-16434887?phrase=east+african+oryx%2C+beisa%2C+gemsbok%2C+samburu+national+park&searchscope=image%2Cfilm
Adolescent:
https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/87035/view/beisa-oryx-oryx-beisa-
ORYX CALLOTIS
Factors enhancing conspicuousness of ears:
Factors detracting from conspicuousness of ears:
Overall effect:
Oryx callotis qualifies for an auricular flag, for reasons surprisingly different from those in the case of O. beisa.
Adult males:
https://anungulateaday.tumblr.com/image/190542706179
https://stock.adobe.com/images/oryx-antilope-in-kenia/17782006?prev_url=detail
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/east-african-oryx-beisa-aka-tsavo-2129271320
https://www.wintershoeksafaris.com/species/fringe-eared-oryx/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=GXYN7j1vTko
Adult females:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/Beisa%2C_Tsawo-Wes%2C_Tanzani%C3%AB.jpg
https://www.naturepl.com/stock-photo-fringe-eared-oryx-oryx-beisa-callotis-female-looking-back-towards-nature-image01529829.html
https://anungulateaday.tumblr.com/image/190541002784
https://anungulateaday.tumblr.com/image/190539159664
https://anungulateaday.tumblr.com/image/190537312341
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/Beisa%2C_Tsawo-Wes%2C_Tanzani%C3%AB.jpg
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pete_steward/10703686565
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinkenya/21165640782/
https://www.biolib.cz/en/image/id365616/
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/close-up-of-oryx-tsavo-national-park-kenya-gm919002354-252773496
https://www.wildlifeofkenya.com/categories/ongulates/oryx-fringe-eared/
https://www.alamy.com/roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-bovidae-tsavo-west-national-park-kenya-africa-image273730424.html?imageid=5CCC9A7F-3CDA-4616-BE48-B7C942CD5E23&p=39640&pn=2&searchId=fc2396d582be6b3410181e7023641baa&searchtype=0
Adolescent female:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/Beisa%2C_Tsawo-Wes%2C_Tanzani%C3%AB.jpg
ORYX GAZELLA
Factors enhancing conspicuousness of ears:
Factors detracting from conspicuousness of ears:
Overall effect:
The following shows how the appearance changes when the ear pinnae happen to be folded back, subtracting their bold pattern (https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-gemsbok-namibia-image10816090).
In O. gazella, unlike H. equinus, the auricular flag is clearest in adults, not juveniles. This is because the ear pinnae are not obviously precocial in either size or colouration (https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-images-young-gemsbok-oryx-antelope-kalahari-desert-image12657944 and https://www.dreamstime.com/young-gemsbok-oryx-gazella-walking-savanna-etosha-national-park-namibia-young-gemsbok-oryx-gazella-walking-image286937546 and https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-young-oryx-kgalagadi-park-south-africa-image64764904 and https://www.dreamstime.com/gemsbok-mother-calf-antelope-southern-african-savanna-image143891751).
Adult male:
https://www.masterfile.com/image/en/841-05961369
Adult females:
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/photo/close-up-of-gemsbok-royalty-free-image/670987518?adppopup=true
https://www.alamy.com/gemsbok-or-gemsbuck-oryx-gazella-portrait-kgalagadi-transfrontier-image60850981.html?imageid=A35A6BE0-EDB6-4339-80CF-ACB136EBBF54&p=183828&pn=1&searchId=a5bfc98cba12eb15dd1be0367313fd95&searchtype=0
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/gemsbok-portrait-etosha-desert-oryx-gazella-131298860
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-close-up-oryx-starring-camera-gemsbok-central-kalahari-botswana-image98749556
Adolescent males:
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/portrait-oryx-bull-2149051503
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-close-up-gemsbok-starring-camera-oryx-kalagadi-transfrontier-park-south-africa-image94348188
https://www.dreamstime.com/young-gemsbok-oryx-grazing-kalahari-desert-south-africa-young-gemsbok-oryx-grazing-kalahari-desert-image234137001
Juvenile females:
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-images-oryx-calf-standing-grassfield-image28879894
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photography-roan-antelope-image12462662
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-gemsbok-antelopes-image25673810
ADDAX NASOMACULATUS
Factors enhancing conspicuousness of ears:
Factors detracting from conspicuousness of ears:
Overall effect:
Addax nasomaculatus may possibly qualify for anterior auricular flag in winter pelage (https://www.alamy.com/addax-addax-nasomaculatus-hai-bar-reserve-israel-image3637497.html?imageid=81028A0B-4151-454F-A2A3-080D3EED99FB&p=11788&pn=3&searchId=d449e2df5bd805fca78cd33082c5597d&searchtype=0).
However, more photographic evidence is needed.
My search-image is similar to, but better-illuminated/oriented than:
https://www.alamy.com/addax-in-captivity-addax-nasomaculatus-captive-breeding-programme-living-desert-california-western-usa-image181629044.html?imageid=47A26A1F-D1B2-48AD-9F28-52FCC8D31210&p=738284&pn=6&searchId=003977f109c1d9ffc2260bc686904ee6&searchtype=0https://www.pressenza.com/2022/01/love-for-living-animals-the-last-three-addaxes-in-the-wild-have-a-strong-potential-to-survive-climate-change-but-first-they-must-overcome-extinction/ and https://twitter.com/hallaboutafrica/status/1604719030862237696 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/42409752@N07/6265500502 and https://gvzoo.com/animals/addax and https://www.facebook.com/AnimalPlanetIndia/photos/to-cope-with-the-unforgiving-desert-sun-the-addax-sports-a-white-coat-in-the-sum/1449377625207193/?paipv=0&eav=AfbgPZi31ymGs3iK_9VuKypjqThoayy6DCUlrTJMHLYeiEUNJxvZmRgFmCWN1iL0OZg&_rdr).
Adult males in summer pelage:
https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/addax-antelope-critically-endangered-souss-massa-royalty-free-image/128123755
Scroll to third photo in https://www.12images.net/endangered-and-extinct-animals/the-addax/
Adult male in winter pelage (figure at left):
https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/addax-addax-nasomaculatus-bahrain-royalty-free-image/90064780?phrase=addax+antelope&adppopup=true
Adult males in intermediate pelage:
https://www.alamy.com/addax-antelope-addax-nasomaculatus-arid-zones-of-north-africa-but-image1834043.html?imageid=5F2B3FCF-A2E8-4E47-82CA-B491884E3D98&p=3864&pn=2&searchId=ed4ba9edbd01608b1adfdda836f362bb&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/addax-in-desert-addax-nasomaculatus-reintroduced-to-morocco-critically-endangered-souss-massa-national-park-morocco-image181658135.html?imageid=E0FF89E9-4443-47C7-BA49-B42AF5DF6AB5&p=738474&pn=6&searchId=003977f109c1d9ffc2260bc686904ee6&searchtype=0
Adult females in summer pelage:
https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/addax-considers-a-stone-royalty-free-image/186138870?phrase=addax+antelope&adppopup=true
https://stock.adobe.com/images/addax-addax-nasomaculatus-also-known-as-the-white-antelope-and-the-screwhorn-antelope-is-an-antelope-of-the-genus-addax-that-lives-in-the-sahara-desert/293706030?prev_url=detail
https://www.bigstockphoto.com/image-42519667/stock-photo-addax
Juvenile male:
https://stlzoo.org/conservation/reproductive-sciences
to be continued in https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/88221-adaptive-radiation-of-auricular-flags-in-hippotragin-bovids-hippotragus-oryx-and-addax-part-2#...
Comments
Shift
Posteriolateral view
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/193456018
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/126459790
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/44228979
https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/photo/arabian-oryx-in-all-royalty-free-image/998892920?phrase=arabian+oryx&adppopup=true
https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/news-photo/arabian-oryx-live-at-their-natural-homeland-at-the-wildlife-news-photo/1488202194?adppopup=true
https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/news-photo/arabian-oryx-are-seen-at-the-arabian-oryx-sanctuary-in-umm-news-photo/513175592?adppopup=true
https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/news-photo/arabian-oryx-whose-legendary-beauty-captivated-the-minds-of-news-photo/1229996170?adppopup=true
https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/news-photo/arabian-oryx-whose-legendary-beauty-captivated-the-minds-of-news-photo/1229996518?adppopup=true
https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/news-photo/arabian-oryx-are-seen-at-the-arabian-oryx-sanctuary-in-umm-news-photo/513175578?adppopup=true
https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/photo/arabian-oryx-baby-royalty-free-image/693829904?phrase=arabian+oryx&adppopup=true
Shift
Mislabelled
Gazella marica
https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/news-photo/an-arabian-oryx-is-seen-at-the-arabian-oryx-sanctuary-in-um-news-photo/657208024?adppopup=true
https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/news-photo/an-arabian-oryx-is-seen-at-the-arabian-oryx-sanctuary-in-um-news-photo/657155656?adppopup=true
https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/news-photo/arabian-oryx-are-seen-at-the-arabian-oryx-sanctuary-in-um-news-photo/657134734?adppopup=true
https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/news-photo/arabian-oryx-are-seen-at-the-arabian-oryx-sanctuary-in-um-news-photo/657134710?adppopup=true
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/photo/impala-close-up-in-the-arabian-desert-royalty-free-image/1226375151?adppopup=true
Shift
Taurotragus oryx
Both cheek-spots visible:
https://www.dreamstime.com/close-up-common-eland-standing-chewing-grass-image155291346
Shift to flank-band
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/view-herd-gemsbok-known-oryx-gazella-2335899967
https://www.birdsasart-blog.com/baa/wp-content/gallery/general/oryx-and-red-suand-dune-_t0a1986-namib-naukluft-national-park-namibia.jpg
https://www.trophyroomcollection.com/collections/gemsbok-hides
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/photo/gemsbok-close-up-royalty-free-image/1068157256?adppopup=true
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/beisa-oryx-gm653405370-118706547?phrase=east+african+oryx%2C+beisa%2C+gemsbok%2C+samburu+national+park&searchscope=image%2Cfilm
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/samburu-national-reserve-oryx-gm837707218-136319375?phrase=east+african+oryx%2C+beisa%2C+gemsbok%2C+samburu+national+park&searchscope=image%2Cfilm
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/gemsbok-antelopes-grazing-gm603164880-103562637?phrase=east+african+oryx%2C+beisa%2C+gemsbok%2C+samburu+national+park&searchscope=image%2Cfilm
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/gemsbok-antelopes-grazing-gm603165412-103563229?phrase=east+african+oryx%2C+beisa%2C+gemsbok%2C+samburu+national+park&searchscope=image%2Cfilm
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/grouo-of-thompson-gazelle-on-east-african-savannah-in-game-reseve-kenya-gm1293603848-387946618?phrase=east+african+oryx%2C+beisa%2C+gemsbok%2C+samburu+national+park&searchscope=image%2Cfilm
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/impala-gazelle-gm516044288-88803131?phrase=east+african+oryx%2C+beisa%2C+gemsbok%2C+samburu+national+park&searchscope=image%2Cfilm
Shift to posteriolateral
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/gemsbok-standing-dry-riverbed-oryx-gazella-12500884
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/one-gemsbok-long-straight-horns-walking-1712872753
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-gemsbok-or-gemsbuck-oryx-gazella-in-the-hiddenvlei-sossusvlei-namib-79623575.html?imageid=B2C12432-947A-4971-AD6F-00B9B159F482&p=223611&pn=1&searchId=079f0a3beeb23007059bbe212328800d&searchtype=0
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/oryx-of-samburu-gm1133369802-300782536?phrase=east+african+oryx%2C+beisa%2C+gemsbok%2C+samburu+national+park&searchscope=image%2Cfilm
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/herd-oryx-antelope-running-desert-sunset-2377747245
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/orix-mammal-savannah-national-park-etosha-631371782
https://venturesomeoverland.com/2018/03/12/beasts-of-botswana-gemsboks/
https://www.alamy.com/oryx-in-the-namib-desert-farm-tsondab-valley-namib-desert-namibia-image4677033.html?imageid=E90D0D36-92C8-41B6-B298-DB0DB780E0E1&p=83674&pn=1&searchId=079f0a3beeb23007059bbe212328800d&searchtype=0
PICTURES WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/animals-in-the-wild-reticulated-giraffes-samburu-national-reserve-north-kenya-gm1805574835-548837088?phrase=east+african+oryx%2C+beisa%2C+gemsbok%2C+samburu+national+park&searchscope=image%2Cfilm
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/193828370
TASK
Compare ssp. chora, pictured here, with nominate ssp. in Eastern Cape
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/the-greater-kudu-is-a-woodland-antelope-found-throughout-eastern-and-southern-africa-gm1439084420-479434227?phrase=east+african+oryx%2C+beisa%2C+gemsbok%2C+samburu+national+park&searchscope=image%2Cfilm
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/the-greater-kudu-is-a-woodland-antelope-found-throughout-eastern-and-southern-africa-gm1439084427-479434229?phrase=east+african+oryx%2C+beisa%2C+gemsbok%2C+samburu+national+park&searchscope=image%2Cfilm
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/the-gerenuk-litocranius-walleri-is-a-long-necked-species-of-antelope-samburu-gm1439084366-479434197?phrase=east+african+oryx%2C+beisa%2C+gemsbok%2C+samburu+national+park&searchscope=image%2Cfilm
Shift to Gardenia
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/antelopes-in-tsavo-east-tsavo-west-and-amboseli-national-park-in-kenya-gm1363761673-435198839?phrase=east+african+oryx%2C+beisa%2C+gemsbok%2C+samburu+national+park&searchscope=image%2Cfilm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfULq9Qsq_I
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/beautiful-images-african-largest-antelope-wild-1614001366
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/beautiful-images-african-largest-antelope-wild-1556261567
https://www.dreamstime.com/close-up-view-oryx-namibia-africa-image177700762
https://jimirwinwildlifephotography.com/gallery/misc-species/#/gallery/misc-species/oryx-close-up/
GAITS
https://stock.adobe.com/images/curved-horned-antelope-addax-addax-nasomaculatus-it-is-listed-a-critically-endangered-species/323455882?prev_url=detail
https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/addax-israel-royalty-free-image/200352001-001?phrase=addax+antelope&adppopup=true
https://stock.adobe.com/images/addax-a-critically-endangered-species-of-antelope-in-hay-bar-yotvata-nature-reserve-a-breeding-and-rehabilitation-center-for-endangered-extinct-animals-mentioned-in-the-bible-spiral-horned-antelope/475928980?prev_url=detail
A revealing video-clip for Addax:
https://stock.adobe.com/search?filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aphoto%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aillustration%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Azip_vector%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Avideo%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Atemplate%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3A3d%5D=1&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=addax&order=relevance&safe_search=1&search_page=9&get_facets=0&search_type=pagination&asset_id=562582811
https://stock.adobe.com/images/asian-wild-donkey-onager-equus-hemionus-and-antelope-addax-addax-nasomaculatus-both-inhabit-the-nature-reserve-park-near-eilat-israel/142349189?prev_url=detail
https://fossilrim.org/blog/masters-project-aims-to-aid-captive-addax/
https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/addax-nasomaculatus-captive-bahrain-royalty-free-image/90064700?phrase=addax+antelope&adppopup=true
https://stock.adobe.com/images/addax/47660512?prev_url=detail
https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=addax&asset_id=300416351
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-roan-antilope-on-the-nyika-plateau-np-15222129.html?imageid=79544408-7734-4C66-A403-1B972355CD00&p=39559&pn=1&searchId=5b7e805efde1b320f1fde4bd1bddb9a3&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/roan-antelope-out-even-in-the-rain-mokala-national-park-in-south-africa-image418920919.html?imageid=221179C9-9AFD-4005-805C-08BB98EF6ECC&p=1425711&pn=1&searchId=5b7e805efde1b320f1fde4bd1bddb9a3&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/roan-antelope-out-even-in-the-cold-and-mist-mokala-national-park-in-south-africa-image418920974.html?imageid=CF79FF63-A0A2-417B-84CB-8E9AC2DB60D8&p=1425711&pn=1&searchId=5b7e805efde1b320f1fde4bd1bddb9a3&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/roan-hippotragus-equinus-mlilwane-nature-reserve-breeding-programme-swaziland-africa-image366138719.html
Shift
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/young-red-hartebeest-running-in-grassland-mountain-zebra-national-park-south-africa-gm1496022936-518825759?phrase=antelope+legs&searchscope=image%2Cfilm
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/herd-scimitar-horned-oryx-dammah-walking-2126425328
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/endangered-animals-haibar-yotvata-nature-reserve-77294023
https://www.dreamstime.com/antelope-scimitar-horn-oryx-oryx-leucoryx-nature-reserve-juvenile-animals-antelope-scimitar-horn-oryx-oryx-leucoryx-due-to-image243613099
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-young-gemsbok-antelopes-two-oryx-gazella-kalahari-south-africa-image77755109
https://www.dreamstime.com/beisa-oryx-herd-savannah-masai-mara-park-kenya-image196305610
https://www.dreamstime.com/oryx-beisa-oryx-beisa-beisa-oryx-oryx-beisa-herd-savannah-masai-mara-park-kenya-image172747705
https://www.dreamstime.com/beisa-oryx-group-mother-calf-masai-mara-park-kenya-image197574202
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-three-young-arabian-gazelles-early-morning-hours-dubai-uae-portrait-male-gazella-arabica-walking-conservation-image82280676
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-young-arabian-gazelle-early-morning-hours-dubai-uae-portrait-male-gazella-arabica-conservation-centre-desert-image82280647
https://stock.adobe.com/images/addax/47660512?prev_url=detail
https://stock.adobe.com/images/addax-in-tunisia/222374395?prev_url=detail
https://www.africa-wildlife-detective.com/gemsbok.html
Pictures worth a thousand words:
https://www.africanbudgetsafaris.com/blog/gemsbok-eland-african-antelope/#gallery/https://d2g6byanrj0o4m.cloudfront.net/images/66540/dreamstime_m_86166580.jpg/
https://es.123rf.com/photo_71123386_vista-frontal-de-gemsbok-gemsbuck-oryx-gazella-ant%C3%ADlope-originario-del-desierto-de-kalahari.html
Shift to post-withers mane-tuft:
https://es.123rf.com/photo_84757383_el-ant%C3%ADlope-camina-sobre-la-hierba-en-la-reserva-de-caza-moremi-delta-del-r%C3%ADo-okavango-parque.html
https://es.123rf.com/photo_135075250_el-ant%C3%ADlope-africano-con-cuernos-come-hierba-en-el-campo.html
https://es.123rf.com/photo_151515343_el-ant%C3%ADlope-africano-con-cuernos-come-hierba-en-el-campo.html
Shift
Excellent illustration of wide/loose gape in hippotragins:
https://es.123rf.com/photo_19919264_oryx-o-gemsbok-fauna-de-%C3%A1frica-una-vaca-sonrisas-en-la-vida.html
Shift
Maximal conspicuousness of ischiopygal and caudal colouration in Damaliscus jimela:
https://es.123rf.com/photo_129485986_topi-masculino-se-para-en-la-hierba-mirando-hacia-atr%C3%A1s.html
https://es.123rf.com/photo_88214789_ant%C3%ADlope-lelwel-hartebeest-alcelaphus-buselaphus-lelwel-tamb%C3%A9m-sabido-como-jackson-s.html
https://es.123rf.com/photo_190619049_herd-of-donkeys-looking-into-the-camera-or-grazing-on-a-pasture-in-summer.html
Tongue of O. gazella
https://es.123rf.com/photo_76703937_gemsbok-protagonista-de-la-c%C3%A1mara-en-el-parque-transfronterizo-kgalagadi-sud%C3%A1frica.html
https://es.123rf.com/photo_199561313_un-disparo-vertical-de-un-gemsbok-en-un-campo.html
Suggestion of posterior auricular flag in Damaliscus lunatus lunatus:
https://es.123rf.com/photo_84756925_ant%C3%ADlope-en-la-hierba-en-la-reserva-de-juego-de-moremi-delta-del-r%C3%ADo-okavango-parque-nacional.html
https://es.123rf.com/photo_220455802_an-oryx-antelope-in-kenya.html
https://es.123rf.com/photo_24485086_cabeza-de-b%C3%BAfalo-tailand%C3%A9s.html
https://es.123rf.com/photo_47335234_salvaje-pastoreo-%C3%B1u-gnu-kgalagadi-%C3%A1frica-del-sur-la-vida-silvestre.html
https://es.123rf.com/photo_6229208_blesbok.html
https://es.123rf.com/photo_156697018_gamuza-de-tatra-rupicapra-rupicapra-tatrica-de-pie-en-las-monta%C3%B1as-de-oto%C3%B1o-en-composici%C3%B3n.html
https://es.123rf.com/photo_190713649_gamuza-tatra-concentrada-mirando-hacia-un-valle-y-comprobando-el-peligro.html
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/173923530
Shift to Post on preputial colouration:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5518338
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-roan-antelopes-in-the-lambwe-valley-of-ruma-national-park-the-only-33854906.html?imageid=DDF6EE36-8BBA-4062-833D-BAD59335A092&p=37852&pn=1&searchId=f89a4d97c4f3cea31551e30e7eb84de2&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-a-roan-antelope-in-the-lambwe-valley-of-ruma-national-park-the-only-33854912.html?imageid=693B3E32-4DF4-474E-B4ED-C22E5F491DC0&p=37852&pn=1&searchId=f89a4d97c4f3cea31551e30e7eb84de2&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-a-roan-antelope-in-the-lambwe-valley-of-ruma-national-park-the-only-33854902.html?imageid=FA0AADDC-8A88-4BF1-90CC-B7B8F351E057&p=37852&pn=1&searchId=f89a4d97c4f3cea31551e30e7eb84de2&searchtype=0
Intriguing evidence of sheen on neck of Hippotragus equinus, indicating evolutionary convergence with Taurotragus oryx:
https://www.alamy.com/aerial-view-of-roan-antelopes-hippotragus-equinus-running-okavango-delta-botswana-image448117296.html?imageid=B10A0616-B874-465C-AC86-389426CACD67&p=2369&pn=1&searchId=f89a4d97c4f3cea31551e30e7eb84de2&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/roan-antelope-walking-in-grass-plains-of-savuti-in-botswana-image381845700.html?imageid=E61EC882-5937-45FE-B7AF-24478E9360C2&p=4830&pn=1&searchId=d3350f0b953b17636829cec591564ee8&searchtype=0
Intriguing complexity in the colouration posterior ro rhe elbow:
https://www.alamy.com/a-bachelor-group-of-roan-antelopes-hippotragus-equinus-on-the-nyika-plateau-nyika-national-park-in-malawi-image344123161.html?imageid=2B3DF2E1-4655-4AB3-B81A-6F186D284485&p=1249180&pn=1&searchId=f89a4d97c4f3cea31551e30e7eb84de2&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-male-roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-84710396.html?imageid=00EDACEC-7A54-4CC6-B466-B0D3248A0C46&p=172933&pn=3&searchId=d47afca96099067b240be3e499db1072&searchtype=0
The following shows that in Hippotragus equinus, to a lesser degree than in Hippotragus niger, the back-of-ear tends to be bright-hued:
https://www.alamy.com/roan-anteloipe-hippotragus-equinus-from-punda-maria-kruger-np-south-africa-image572338485.html?imageid=B2258D64-CD7C-4124-8187-1E631A2455E2&p=1910266&pn=1&searchId=f89a4d97c4f3cea31551e30e7eb84de2&searchtype=0
The following is unusual in clearly showing the 'tufting' of the whitish facial patch:
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-at-dvur-kralove-zoo-czech-republic-103660553.html?imageid=970D83C5-85AA-40F3-8994-45319CE4F6EC&p=227690&pn=2&searchId=96799d31708c29134f49a83c924d2668&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-four-week-old-roan-antelope-larissa-explores-the-outdoor-enclosure-58283525.html?imageid=3F7296FA-028C-4504-9DA5-D23716876A0D&p=191649&pn=2&searchId=96799d31708c29134f49a83c924d2668&searchtype=0
CONSPICUOUS PALLOR OF ANTERIOR BASE OF EAR
In Hippotragus equinus, the anterior base of the ear is pale, as seen in the following juvenile individuals.
Juvenile female:
https://www.alamy.com/a-roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-in-the-grasslands-of-the-nyika-plateau-nyika-national-park-in-malawi-image344123034.html?imageid=418AE832-7FC8-4240-9D33-C2B317218C8D&p=1249180&pn=5&searchId=5ed1e1ea051df95555f6aaed35fb537c&searchtype=0
Juvenile male:
https://www.alamy.com/a-rare-roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-in-natural-habitat-mokala-national-park-south-africa-image475805321.html?imageid=34786A14-D153-4918-A656-22C79BBBA306&p=70019&pn=5&searchId=5ed1e1ea051df95555f6aaed35fb537c&searchtype=0
Adolescent female:
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-mokala-national-park-south-africa-125527530.html?imageid=6AC0BDC2-0A5D-48DA-BDD0-B3EE8F661307&p=361664&pn=7&searchId=48c5019063f87c658c767ebd85f25bc9&searchtype=0
This pallor remains - and becomes more conspicuous - in adult males of H. equinus, despite the darkening of other parts of the head.
Adult males:
https://www.alamy.com/portrait-of-a-male-roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinussouth-africa-image68948756.html?imageid=E726C045-9A48-4FBD-B104-A87D09D7790C&p=3864&pn=1&searchId=d3350f0b953b17636829cec591564ee8&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-a-a-rare-roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-south-africa-39179710.html?imageid=E0C0DCDF-6B89-47E6-9CE0-733630FD8059&p=70019&pn=1&searchId=d3350f0b953b17636829cec591564ee8&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-profile-busanga-plains-kafue-national-park-zambia-image263015758.html?imageid=B52347AA-3CB0-46A8-B899-CE1BB7D01392&p=269487&pn=1&searchId=d3350f0b953b17636829cec591564ee8&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-male-stands-in-savanna-south-africa-image255403285.html?imageid=F0BF286F-46A3-44BC-ABAE-F614CB42B360&p=851122&pn=1&searchId=d3350f0b953b17636829cec591564ee8&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/portrait-of-a-male-roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinussouth-africa-image181670061.html?imageid=01CB9503-1A36-44D0-99D4-483409327C9C&p=738474&pn=4&searchId=f4904b3f875d4b7dbcba6638b9b119cf&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/close-up-of-male-roan-antelope-drinking-at-a-pool-hwange-national-image6900542.html?imageid=774F65C9-1A37-4B7B-B6A7-03F940D7D773&p=6945&pn=5&searchId=5ed1e1ea051df95555f6aaed35fb537c&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-ishasha-river-queen-elizabeth-national-27618708.html?imageid=9B087B85-6DB8-4DE4-B845-8572ACB12D92&p=16403&pn=1&searchId=d3350f0b953b17636829cec591564ee8&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-red-billed-oxpecker-buphagus-erythorhynchus-on-shoulders-seeking-external-parasites-ticks-bloodsucking-flies-image398721076.html?imageid=5E9B1472-615A-410B-9686-B09E765C43AD&p=77483&pn=1&searchId=d3350f0b953b17636829cec591564ee8&searchtype=0
https://www.alamy.com/roan-antelope-looking-around-at-a-zoo-image243234827.html?imageid=B525EC31-41F4-4E5B-91B4-EB8AE973EE90&p=223952&pn=4&searchId=f4904b3f875d4b7dbcba6638b9b119cf&searchtype=0
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/139567797
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/115871132
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/159933013
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/85175919
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/42080106
TAIL TASSEL
https://www.alamy.com/roan-antelope-hippotragus-equinus-feeding-on-grassy-plain-kafue-national-image65793320.html?imageid=81BA0531-2033-480E-93F9-FE45B24ED401&p=8586&pn=1&searchId=d3350f0b953b17636829cec591564ee8&searchtype=0
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