Saola

Saola ( Pseudoryx nghetinhensis )

The Saola ( Pseudoryx nghetinhensis ), and Vu Quang forest antelope or Vietnamese beef called, is a scientifically described until 1993 hoofed animal that is found in Laos and Vietnam.

Discovery history

The species was scientifically described in 1993 and named. The discovery of the Vietnamese forest ox was so far a sensation when it stopped at the end of the 20th century, the discovery of a new large mammal for excluded.

In May 1992, three pairs of horns in the Vu Quang National Park had been found in northwestern Vietnam. Then we went on the search for further specimens and found in the course of 1992, twenty more horns. However, it was not until 1996 to catch in Laos a live animal and take pictures. Since then, the animals were observed for a number of times and photographed. The animals are among the rarest ungulates in the world.

End of August 2010, a male specimen was captured by residents of the Laotian province Bolikhamsai and could be photographed by researchers before it died. This was the first photo of this species for a decade. The dead animal was taken to the provincial capital Pakxan, there to be scientifically studied by biologists, yielding new insights hoped, as this species can be kept in the future also in captivity. It was only in September 2013 a free-living Saola was photographed in a forest in Vietnam again.

Features

The Saola has a body length of 180 cm, a shoulder height of 90 cm and a weight of 100 kg. The fur is dark brown; above each hoof is a white spot. The face has a variable white markings. During the physique resembles that of a ducker, the head resembles that of a kudu. The horns are long, slender and almost straight directed backwards; its length can be 50 cm.

Dissemination

Saolas live in rainy, almost impenetrable rain forests at altitudes 300-1800 m. The animals probably mainly near streams, where they feed on the plant species Homalomena aromatica from the family of Araceae ( Araceae ). The distribution area has an estimated size of only 8000 km ².

Way of life

About the behavior is due to the rare occurrences have almost nothing is known. Apparently, the animals move alone or in pairs. Through the discovery of a promising, dead animal 1996 could be determined that juveniles apparently come in May or early June to the world; the dead animal was estimated to be eight to nine years; to draw any conclusions about the natural life expectancy of the Vu Quang cattle, but seems a bit risky. The Vu Quang ox is diurnal and extremely shy.

Threat and protection

Thirteen Saola have been kept in captivity. However, they always survived only a few weeks. The Vietnamese government has therefore adopted a prohibition to catch these animals and keep. The IUCN has the Vu Quang ox status of " threatened with extinction " award and is it now one of the hundred most endangered species. Any estimate of the population is speculative, but it is likely to exceed a few hundred animals. In April 2011, the establishment of a Saola Conservation Area in the Vietnamese province of Quang Nam has decided what is likely to increase the chances of survival of the species significantly.

System

The close relationship of the Vu Quang antelope has long been controversial. Based on studies of the skull features a first relationship was adopted by the caprine. Here, a relationship has been suggested with the serow, as the Vu Quang antelope like this ever has a gland in front of the eye.

As a result of DNA analysis from the year 1999, the Vu Quang ox was counted among the cattle, with which it seems to have little in common at first glance. Further investigations confirmed the close relationship to the herd, but it is disputed whether the Saola directly to the herd ( Bovini ) or in a separate genus group ( Pseudorygini ) is to be classified. In any case, make according to these studies, the cattle in the narrower sense, the sister taxon of the Vu Quang ox dar.

Designations

For Pseudoryx nghetinhensis an abundance German name is used, neither of which has generally prevailed. The names Vu Quang and Vu Quang antelope Oryx refer to the center of the range, the Vietnamese Vu Quang National Park. Often, the Vietnamese name is used Saola (or Sao La), which literally means " spindle horn " means. The designation Vietnamese forest bark is relatively widespread. Accordingly, in German also sometimes called " spindle socket " will be used.

The scientific name Pseudoryx means as much as "false Oryx " and alludes to the similarity of the horns with which the oryx to.