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Geophagy by A frican ungulates: the case of the critically endangered giant sable antelope of A ngola ( H ippotragus niger variani )
Author(s) -
Baptista Sendi Lara,
Pinto Pedro Vaz,
Freitas Maria da Conceição,
Cruz Cristina,
Palmeirim Jorge M.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
african journal of ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.499
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1365-2028
pISSN - 0141-6707
DOI - 10.1111/aje.12020
Subject(s) - ecology , range (aeronautics) , endangered species , equus , topsoil , critically endangered , geography , biology , habitat , soil water , materials science , composite material
The giant sable antelope ( H ippotragus niger variani ) is a critically endangered subspecies with a range restricted to a small area in the A ngolan plateau. It is known to display geophagic behaviour, eating the soil of some M acrotermes termitaria. The aim of this study was to understand the importance of this behaviour for the giant sable and other ungulates sharing its range. We identified termite mounds used for geophagy based on local information confirmed by self‐triggering cameras. We collected and analysed soil samples of seven termitaria consumed by ungulates, the adjacent topsoil 50 m away from each, and seven control nonconsumed termitaria. Consumed termite mounds were richer in minerals than control mounds, and both were richer than the surrounding topsoil. Sodium levels showed the greatest contrasts and were about 20 times more abundant in consumed termitaria than in controls. The amount of sodium in background soil was extremely low (9.3 ppm), suggesting that this mineral is a limiting nutrient in the range of the giant sable. These results indicate that the observed geophagic habits may be driven by a need to compensate for a sodium deficiency. This situation should be considered in the planning of the species' conservation.