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Insular gazelles of the circum-Arabian seas: origin, distribution, dwarfism and taxonomy

Mammalian Biology, ISSN: 1618-1476, Vol: 102, Issue: 1, Page: 1-20
2022
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Review Description

The taxonomy of gazelles (Bovidae: Antilopinae) has been debated at length. Many of the species and subspecies were historically discriminated mostly on subtle and individually variable phenotypic differences, often on the basis of few, sometimes controversial museum specimens or captive individuals of uncertain origin. The resulting taxonomic confusion is particularly evident for insular populations, which often show slight phenotypic variations. We systematically review and update the past and present distribution of insular gazelles in the circum-Arabian seas, using the literature and reliable websites. Moreover, in light of the available genetic information, we discuss the taxonomic status of four endemic taxa, two of dwarf size. One or more gazelle species are or were present on 45 islands. The archaeozoological and historical data support an anthropochorous origin of most of these populations as a meat source. Lately, food supplied gazelles have been introduced for cultural reasons on many islands of the Persian Gulf. The nine molecularly studied insular populations show low genetic differentiation from their mainland relatives, which suggests their recent origin. Considering the limited genetic differentiation from the geographically closest continental population, we reassign Nanger soemmerringii debeauxi to the nominotypical subspecies. We advocate phenotypic plasticity, triggered by scarce food resources, as the most likely cause of dwarfism in the gazelles of Dahlak and Farasan archipelagos of the Red Sea. We stress the need to avoid unnecessary taxonomic proliferation before deep integrative research has been carried out, and we highlight the importance of research on phenotypic plasticity in insular gazelles.

Bibliographic Details

Giorgio Chiozzi; Giorgio Bardelli; Giuseppe De Marchi; Mauro Fasola; Futsum Hagos; Kamal M. Ibrahim; Francesco Rocca; Marco Masseti

Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Agricultural and Biological Sciences

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