Artiodactyla Id code: amd184Bovidae Oreotragus oreotragus (Zimmermann, 1783) (Eng) Klipspringer (Fre) Oréotrague Taxonomic notes Up to eleven subspecies have been described (Meester & Setzer (1971). IUCN threat category Lower Risk, conservation dependent (LR: cd) as O. oreotragus, but Endangered (EN: criteria A1c, C1) as O. o. porteousi (Western klipspringer). Available information Quite good information is available on the main aspects of the ecology of this species. Data have been collected in most of its range of distribution, particularly in Southern Africa and in north-east Africa. North East Africa: Habitat use and preference, diet, and habits are described in Dunbar (1978, 1979) and Dunbar & Dunbar (1980). In Nievergelt (1981) some information on habitat use, feeding habits and coexistence with other ungulates can be found. A brief account of habitat use and population status in Eritrea and Ethiopia is given by Yalden et al. (1996). Southern Africa: A detailed review of the literature available is given by Skinner & Smithers (1990) and Mills & Hes (1997). Diet, foraging patterns, and activity have been investigated by Norton (1980, 1981); notes on habitat use and preferences are found in Norton (1980, 1981) and Marais et al. (1987). Habitat use and dependence on water were studied by Kok & Nel (1996) in the Namib Desert, where some data on habitat use were also collected (Tinley, 1969). Distribution maps and notes on habitat use are available for several areas of South Africa (Lynch, 1983, 1989; Rowe-Rowe, 1994). General information on its ecology, particularly behaviour, is found in Estes (1991). Status and distribution, together with some notes on habitat use are reported by East (1988, 1989, 1990) for each country in which this species occurs. An updated map of distribution is also found in Kingdon (1997). Known extent of occurrence 
This species ranges in central Nigeria, north C.A.R., east Sudan and Ethiopia southwards to southern Africa and westwards to south former Zaire, Angola and Namibia (Wilson & Reeder, 1993; East, 1996). Its distribution map was first obtained by acquiring and overlaying maps in East (1990) and Skinner & Smithers (1990), then refined using country maps in East (1988, 1989, 1990). Dr. R. East revised (23 June '97) the map (Fig. 8.6.29.a). Categorical-discrete (CD) distribution model The species is confined to rocky outcrops in mountains, hills and along rivers (Kingdon, 1997; East, 1988, 1989, 1990). Based on these environmental preferences, the following scores were assigned (Fig. 8.6.29.b) (Tab. 8.6.29.a):
Tab 8.6.29.a: Cumulative size (km2) of areas pertaining to each environmental suitability class within the Extent of Occurrence.
Tab 8.6.29.b: Area of Occupancy fragmentation indexes. Probabilistic-continuous (PC) distribution model The output of the probabilistic-continuous (PC) distribution model is shown in Fig. 8.6.29.c. Validation
Tab 8.6.29.c: Categorical-discrete (CD) distribution model validation parameters. Comments and conservation issues The Index of Accordance (41.38%) shows the limits of the CD model for this species, whose environmental preferences occur at a resolution which is below that of this databank. None of the species' very large EO is classified by the models as entirely suitable, but the EO appears to be moderately suitable and substantially continuous (see the fragmentation indexes). The PC model offers a more articulate map of suitability distribution, but with the same general trend. As the species is closely associated to rocky hills and outcrops, its AO is naturally fragmented and reduced to these particular areas which are only a fraction of the total AO shown by the models. More than 12% of the total AO is included in existing protected areas. The small patches in Nigeria and C.A.R. are now very isolated from the main distribution range and survival there may be severely threatened.
Tab 8.6.29.d: Percent of environmental suitability classes within EO (as obtained from the categorical-discrete distribution model) inside and outside the protected areas. References Dunbar R.I.M. (1978). Competition and niche separation in a high altitude herbivore community in Ethiopia. E. Afr. Wildl. J.: 16, 183-199. Dunbar R.I.M. (1979). Energetics, thermoregulation and the behavioural ecology of klipspringer. Afr. J. Ecol.: 17, 217-230. Dunbar R.I.M., Dunbar E. (1980). The pairbond in klipspringer. Anim. Behav.: 28, 219-229. East R. (Ed.) (1988). Antelope Global Survey and Regional Action plans, Part I: East and North East Africa. IUCN/SSC Antelope Specialist Group. East R. (Ed.) (1989). Antelopes Global Survey and Regional Action Plans. Part 2: Southern and South-central Africa. IUCN/SSC Antelope Specialist Group. East R. (Ed.) (1990). Antelopes Global Survey and Regional Action Plans. Part 3: West and Central Africa. IUCN/SSC Antelope Specialist Group. East R. (Ed.) (1996). Antelope survey update. IUCN/SSC Antelope Specialist Group: n° 2. Estes R.D. (1991). The Behaviour Guide to African Mammals. Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, Primates. The University of California Press. Kingdon J. (1997). The Kingdon field guide to African Mammals. Academic Press, London and New York: Natural World. Kok O.B., Nel J.A.J. (1996). The Kuiseb river as a linear oasis in the Namib desert. Afr. J. Ecol.: 34(1), 39-47. Lynch C.D. (1983). The mammals of the Orange Free State. Mem. van die Nasionale Mus., Bloemfontein: 18, 1-218. Lynch C.D. (1989). The mammals of the north-east Cape Province. Mem. van die Nasionale Mus., Bloemfontein: 25, 1-116. Marais C., Bigalke R.C., van Hensbergen H.J. (1987). Habitat selection and ecological separation between the grey rhebuck (Pelea capreolus) and the klipsplinger (Oreotragus oreotragus). World Conference on Mountain Ungulates. Università di Camerino, 28. Meester J., Setzer H.W. (Eds) (1971). The Mammals of Africa, an Identification Manual. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C. Mills G., Hes L. (1997). The complete book of Southern African mammals. Struik Publishers. Nievergelt B. (1981). Ibexes in an African Environment. Ecology and social system of the Walia Ibex in the Siemen Mountains, Ethiopia. Springer Verlag: Berlin and New York Ecology Studies. Norton P.M. (1980). The habitat and feeding ecology of the klipspringer Oreotragus oreotragus (Zimmermann, 1783) in two areas of Cape Province. M.Sc. thesis: Pretoria University. Norton P.M. (1981). Activity patterns of klipspringers in two areas of Cape Province. S. Afr. J. Wild. Res.: 11, 126-134. Rowe-Rowe D.T. (1994). The ungulates of Natal. Natal Parks, Game & Fish Preservation Board, Pietermaritzburg, Natal, R.S.A. Skinner J.D., Smithers R.H.N. (1990). The mammals of the Southern African subregion. University of Pretoria, Pretoria. Tinley K.L. (1969). Dik-dik Madoqua kirki in South West Africa: Notes on distribution, ecology and behaviour. Madoqua: 1, 7-33. Wilson D.E., Reeder D.M. (Eds) (1993). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Second edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C. Yalden D.W., Largen M.J., Kock D., Hillman J.C. (1996). Catalogue of the mammals of Ethiopia and Eritrea. 7. Revised checklist, zoogeography and conservation. Tropical Zoology: 9, 73-164.
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