Reduncinae

Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus )

The Reduncinae are a subfamily of Bovidae ( Bovidae ). They include nine living in Africa antelope species, which are divided in three classes: the reedbuck, waterbuck and the Rehantilopen. While a close relationship between reed and waterbuck is no doubt the affiliation of Rehantilopen is controversial to this group.

General

The Reduncinae are medium to large, herbivorous antelope. Common to all types is the comparatively long fur that awakens particularly at the waterbuck a shaggy appearance. With the exception of Kobs are missing in all species existing in many Bovidae glands in front of the eye ( Präorbitaldrüsen ). In this subfamily carry only the males horns; that of the reed and waterbuck are bent at the tip forward, pointed the Rehantilopen and straight.

Ried and waterbuck are bound in their habitats strongly to the water and come in all of Africa south of the Sahara before. In contrast, the Rehantilope has adapted to a mountainous habitat and inhabited only the southern tip of the continent.

System

The Reduncinae include three genera with nine species:

• Genus Pelea Rehantilope ( Pelea capreolus)

• Common reedbuck ( Redunca redunca )
• Big reedbuck ( Redunca arundinum )
• Mountain reedbuck ( Redunca fulvorufula )

• Kob (Kobus kob )
• Puku (Kobus vardonii )
• Common waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus )
• Lechwe (Kobus leche)
• White neck Lechwe (Kobus megaceros )

Water and reedbuck provide the generic group of Reduncini and are closely related. This relationship has also been well documented by morphological similarities and is beyond doubt. Far more controversial, however, is the position of the Rehantilope. This has sometimes been incorporated due to their small size in the lugs or associated with the gazelle -like. Some researchers even put it in its own subfamily, Peleinae, which they placed at the base of the Bovidae. Molecular genetic studies, however, speak for a relationship with reed and waterbuck and therefore can be classified in Reduncinae. However, this is not yet widely recognized.