249.

Abbott's Duiker

Cephalophus spadix

French: Céphalophe d'Abbott / German: Abbot-Ducker / Spanish: Duiker de Abbott

Taxonomy. Cephalophus spadix True, 1890,

Mt Kilimanjaro.

Closely related to C. silvicultor and C. curticeps, and may represent a relict population that has undergone speciation. Monotypic.

Distribution. Endemic to Tanzania; localized in the Uluguru-Uzungwe Mts, Rungwe Mts, Usambara Mts, Mt Kilimanjaro, and Mt Meru.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 97-140 cm, tail 8-13 cm, shoulder height 66-74 cm; weight 50-60 kg. Abbott’s Duiker is smaller than the Western Yellow-backed Duiker (C. silvicultor), but is otherwise similar in general form. The legs are relatively short and sturdy, and the neck is thick. Overall color is a dark chestnut brown or black, becoming darker and more intense towards the hindquarters. There is a thin dorsal stripe faintly darker than the rest of the coat. The belly, lower flanks, and insides of the legs are paler brown than the back, occasionally with a reddish hue. A small pale gray patch may be present on the back near the base of the tail. The tail lacks a terminal tuft of hair. The face and throat are grayish-white except for the dark brown forehead and the bright white upper lip. A prominent bushy crest at the top of the head is one of the most distinctive characters of Abbott’s Duiker. The crest extends well past the horns in some specimens, and may range in color from dark brown or maroon to bright rufous. The ears are rounded, pale brown outside and even paler inside. Horns are present in both sexes; they are long, thin, and slender, and lack conspicuous thickening at their base. Reported horn lengths are 8-12 cm. Dental formulais10/3,C0/1,P 3/3, M 3/3 (x2) = 32.

Habitat. Dense montane evergreen forest and high-elevation swamps. Abbott’s Duiker is most common at 1300-2700 m in Kilimanjaro National Park. Occasional sightings occur in scrub and moorland at higher elevations (up to 4000 m); Abbott’s Duiker will also descend to farmland to feed and has been recorded at 300 m in a semi-deciduous forest. In the Udzungwa Mountains, it is seen in forests dominated by Parinari excelsa, Celtis gomphophylla, Bombax rodhognaphalon, Lettowianthus stellatus, Tabernaemontana pachysiphon, Tarenna pavettoides, Ficus sp., Dracaena mannii, Anthocleista grandiflora, and Macaranga capensis. It is restricted to wetter, swampier areas, and is thus usually found on eastern-facing slopes. Even where locally common,it exists at low densities: maximum population density in the Udzungwa Mountains is estimated to be 1-3 ind/km®.

Food and Feeding. No detailed dietary studies have been conducted. Abbott’s Duiker is thought to be mainly frugivorous, although the diet may also include flowers, green shoots, and herbage. It has been recorded feeding on the leaves of balsam (/mpatiens elegantissima), as well as plucking green moss from rocks. A camera-trap in the Udzungwa Mountains photographed an Abbott’s Duiker holding an amphibian in its mouth, suggesting that it, like other duiker species, eats animal matter.

Breeding. There is very little specific information available for this species. Infants have been recorded in September—October, but it is possible that the species breeds throughout the year. Reproductive parameters are likely similar to those of the Western Yellow-backed Duiker.

Activity patterns. Abbott's Duiker appears to be primarily nocturnal, spending the day resting in dense forest undergrowth or among ferns. Camera-traps have photographed Abbott’s Duikers primarily at night (19:00 h-06:00 h), although one crepuscular observation was made.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Presumed to be solitary. Pathways through dense habitat are regularly used, and hunters set snares along such paths to capture this species. Although generally retiring, Abbott’s Duiker has been known to kill dogs if cornered with no means of escape. If pressed, individuals may take to water when fleeing from a threat.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. Its distribution is extremely restricted and fragmented, making Abbott’s Duiker vulnerable to habitat loss and degradation as a result of logging and human settlement. Hunting is also a major threat. The total population is estimated at 1500 individuals, with a declining trend. It is believed to have become extinct in some localities in recent decades; protected areas, notably Kilimanjaro National Park and Udzungwa Mountains National Park, are important to the ongoing survival of Abbott’s Duiker.

Bibliography. East (1999), Kingdon (1982, 1997), Moyer et al. (2008), Rovero et al. (2005), Walther (1990a), Wilson (1987, 2001).