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{{Short description|Subspecies of the black rhinoceros}}
{{Refimprove|date=October 2009}}
{{Subspeciesbox
{{Taxobox
| name = South-western black rhinoceros
| name = South-western black rhinoceros
| image = South-western black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis occidentalis) female.jpg
⚫
| status = VU
| image_caption = Female, [[Etosha National Park]], [[Namibia]]
⚫
| status = NT
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{IUCN2011.2|assessor=Emslie, R.|year=2011|id=39318|title=Diceros bicornis ssp. bicornis|downloaded=18 January 2012}}</ref>
| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn |author=Emslie, R. |date=2020 |title=''Diceros bicornis'' ssp. ''bicornis'' |volume=2020 |page=e.T39318A45814419 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T39318A45814419.en |access-date=13 November 2021}}</ref>
⚫
| genus = Diceros
| image = Diceros_bicornis_-_profile_-_Etosha_2014.jpg
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| species = bicornis
| species_link = Black rhinoceros
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
⚫
| subspecies = occidentalis
| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
⚫
| authority = (Zukowsky, 1922)
| ordo = [[Perissodactyla]]
| familia = [[Rhinocerotidae]]
⚫
| genus = ''[[Diceros]]''
| species = ''[[Diceros bicornis|D. bicornis]]''
⚫
| subspecies = '''''D. b. occidentalis'''''
⚫
| trinomial = ''Diceros bicornis occidentalis''
⚫
| trinomial_authority = (Zukowsky, 1922)
| type_strain = [[Zoologisches Museum Hamburg|ZMH]] 40056<ref name=zukowsky1922/>
}}
}}


The '''south-western black rhinoceros''' (''Diceros bicornis occidentalis'') is a [[subspecies]] of the [[black rhinoceros]], living in southwestern [[Africa]] (northern [[Namibia]] and southern [[Angola]], introduced to [[South Africa]]). It is currently listed as [[Vulnerable species|vulnerable]] by the [[IUCN]]. The biggest threat towards the subspecies ''Diceros bicornis occidentalis'' is illegal [[poaching]].<ref name=iucn>{{IUCN2011.2|assessor=Emslie, R.|year=2011|id=39318|title=Diceros bicornis ssp. bicornis|downloaded=18 January 2012}}</ref>
The '''south-western black rhinoceros''' ('''''Diceros bicornis occidentalis''''') is a [[subspecies]] of the [[black rhinoceros]], living in southwestern [[Africa]] (northern [[Namibia]] and southern [[Angola]], introduced to [[South Africa]]). It is currently listed as [[Near-threatened species|near threatened]] by the [[IUCN]]. The biggest threat towards the subspecies is illegal [[poaching]].<ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn |author=Emslie, R. |date=2020 |title=''Diceros bicornis'' ssp. ''bicornis'' |volume=2020 |page=e.T39318A45814419 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T39318A45814419.en |access-date=13 November 2021}}</ref>


==Taxonomy==
==Taxonomy==
This subspecies is often mistaken for either the extinct southern black rhinoceros (''[[Diceros bicornis bicornis|D. b. bicornis]]'') or the southeastern subspecies (''[[Diceros bicornis minor|D. b. minor]]''). However, the populations in the arid areas of northern Namibia and southwestern Angola represent a separate subspecies.<ref name=grovesgrubb2011>{{cite book |title= Ungulate Taxonomy |last1=Groves |first1=C. | last2= Grubb | first2= P.|year=2011 |publisher= [[The Johns Hopkins University Press]]|location=[[Baltimore]] |isbn=978-1-4214-0093-8 |pages=317 |accessdate=October 7, 2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v3uZtA1ZpTAC&dq=diceros+bicornis+subspecies&hl=de&source=gbs_navlinks_s}}</ref>
This subspecies is often mistaken for either the extinct southern black rhinoceros (''[[Diceros bicornis bicornis|D. b. bicornis]]'') or the southeastern subspecies (''[[Diceros bicornis minor|D. b. minor]]''). However, the populations in the arid areas of northern Namibia and southwestern Angola represent a separate subspecies.<ref name=grovesgrubb2011>{{cite book |title= Ungulate Taxonomy |last1=Groves |first1=C. | last2= Grubb | first2= P.|year=2011 |publisher= [[The Johns Hopkins University Press]]|location=[[Baltimore]] |isbn=978-1-4214-0093-8 |pages=317 |access-date=October 7, 2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v3uZtA1ZpTAC&q=diceros+bicornis+subspecies}}</ref>


The [[holotype]] specimen, a male, was about 16 months old when caught alive by a Mr. Müller in 1914 near the [[Kunene River]] ([[Kaokoveld]], border region between Namibia and Angola), and shipped to the [[Tierpark Hagenbeck]], the [[Hamburg]] [[Zoo]], in [[Germany]]. After its death on 15 October 1916, its hide and skeleton was preserved at the [[Zoologisches Museum Hamburg]] (specimen no. 40056) and described as belonging to a new species, ''Opsiceros occidentalis'', by [[Ludwig Zukowsky|L. Zukowsky]] in 1922.<ref name=zukowsky1922>{{Cite journal | url = http://www.rhinoresourcecenter.com/pdf_files/117/1178936002.pdf | format = PDF |journal = [[Archiv für Naturgeschichte]] | title = Vorläufige Mitteilung über eine neue Art des Spitzschnautz-Nashorns aus Südwest-Afrika | author = Zukowsky, L. | year = 1922 | pages = 162–163 | volume = 88A (7)}}</ref><ref name=rookmaker1998>{{cite book |title= The Rhinoceros in Captivity |last1=Rookmaker |first1=L.C. | year=1998 |publisher= [[SPB Academic Publishing bv]]|location=[[The Hague]] |isbn=90-5103-134-3 |pages=409 |accessdate=October 20, 2013 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vDijgNs_7Q0C&printsec=frontcover&hl=de#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref> ''Opsiceros'' is an invalid synonym of the genus ''[[Diceros]]''.<ref name=groves&grubb2011/>
The [[holotype]] specimen, a male, was about 16 months old when caught alive by a Mr. Müller in 1914 near the [[Kunene River]] ([[Kaokoveld]], border region between Namibia and Angola), and shipped to the [[Tierpark Hagenbeck]], the [[Hamburg]] [[Zoo]], in [[Germany]]. After its death on 15 October 1916, its hide and skeleton was preserved at the [[Zoologisches Museum Hamburg]] (specimen no. 40056) and described as belonging to a new species, ''Opsiceros occidentalis'', by [[Ludwig Zukowsky|L. Zukowsky]] in 1922.<ref name=zukowsky1922>{{Cite journal | url = http://www.rhinoresourcecenter.com/pdf_files/117/1178936002.pdf |journal = [[Archiv für Naturgeschichte]] | title = Vorläufige Mitteilung über eine neue Art des Spitzschnautz-Nashorns aus Südwest-Afrika | author = Zukowsky, L. | year = 1922 | pages = 162–163 | volume = 88A (7)}}</ref><ref name=rookmaker1998>{{cite book |title= The Rhinoceros in Captivity |last1=Rookmaker |first1=L.C. | year=1998 |publisher= [[SPB Academic Publishing bv]]|location=[[The Hague]] |isbn=90-5103-134-3 |pages=409 |access-date=October 20, 2013 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vDijgNs_7Q0C}}</ref> ''Opsiceros'' is an invalid synonym of the genus ''[[Diceros]]''.<ref name=groves&grubb2011/>


== Description ==
== Description ==


The south-western black rhino, like all black rhino subspecies, has a distinct prehensile lip and is a browser. Its appearance is similar to other subspecies, the most important difference to them is a relatively broad head behind the eyes and minor features in the [[dentition]]. Other characters often mentioned, like body size or the straightness and size of the horns, are subject to [[individual variation]].<ref name=groves&grubb2011/> They also are most adapted to arid habitat and can be found in arid [[savanna]] and [[desert]] [[climate]]s.
The south-western black rhino, like all black rhino subspecies, has a distinct prehensile lip and is a browser. Its appearance is similar to other subspecies, the most important difference to them is a relatively broad head behind the eyes and minor features in the [[dentition]]. Other characters often mentioned, like body size or the straightness and size of the horns, are subject to [[individual variation]].<ref name=groves&grubb2011/> They also are most adapted to arid habitat and can be found in arid [[savanna]] and [[desert]] [[climate]]s.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}


== Population and threats ==
== Population and threats ==


Historically, this subspecies once roamed in [[Angola]], and [[Namibia]], but their current range has decreased. The stronghold of the species is primarily in Namibia. One to four specimens have been reported from Angola and others were introduced to [[Republic of South Africa|South Africa]]. The total population is increasing and numbered to 1,920 animals in 2010, with 55.8% adults. Poaching due to increasing horn prices is considered the main threat to the population<ref name=iucn/><ref name=groves&grubb2011/>
Historically, this subspecies once roamed in [[Angola]], and [[Namibia]], but their current range has decreased. The stronghold of the species is primarily in Namibia. One to four specimens have been reported from Angola and others were introduced to [[Republic of South Africa|South Africa]]. Its total population is increasing and numbered to 1,920 animals in 2010, with 55.8% adults. Poaching due to increasing horn prices is considered the main threat to their population.<ref name=iucn/><ref name=groves&grubb2011/> They successfully breed with the [[south-central black rhinoceros]].


=== IUCN status ===
=== IUCN status ===
The [[IUCN]] considers the living northern Namibian black rhino populations to belong to the [[subspecies]] ''D. bicornis bicornis'', and does not recognize a separate ''D. b. occidentalis''.<ref name=iucn>{{IUCN2011.2|assessor=Emslie, R.|year=2011|id=39318|title=Diceros bicornis ssp. bicornis|downloaded=18 January 2012}}</ref> This synonymy, based upon du Toit (1987)<ref name=dutoit1987>{{Cite journal | url = http://www.rhinoresourcecenter.com/pdf_files/117/1175862849.pdf | format = PDF | journal = Pachyderm | title = The existing basis for subspecies classification of black and white rhino | author = du Toit, R. | year = 1987 | pages = 3–5 | volume = 9}}</ref> was, however, considered erroneous by Groves and Grubb (2011), and ''D. b. occidentalis'' was re-established as a valid subspecies. As all southernmost populations of black rhinoceros were exterminated by the mid-19th century, ''D. b. bicornis'' is completely extinct today.<ref name=groves&grubb2011>{{cite book |title= Ungulate Taxonomy |last1=Groves |first1=C. | last2= Grubb | first2= P.|year=2011 |publisher= [[The Johns Hopkins University Press]]|location=[[Baltimore]] |isbn=978-1-4214-0093-8 |pages=317 |accessdate=October 9, 2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v3uZtA1ZpTAC&dq=diceros+bicornis+subspecies&hl=de&source=gbs_navlinks_s}}</ref>
The [[IUCN]] considers the living northern Namibian black rhino populations to belong to the [[subspecies]] ''D. bicornis bicornis'', and does not recognize a separate ''D. b. occidentalis''.<ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn |author=Emslie, R. |date=2020 |title=''Diceros bicornis'' ssp. ''bicornis'' |volume=2020 |page=e.T39318A45814419 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T39318A45814419.en |access-date=13 November 2021}}</ref> This synonymy, based upon du Toit (1987)<ref name=dutoit1987>{{Cite journal | url = http://www.rhinoresourcecenter.com/pdf_files/117/1175862849.pdf | journal = Pachyderm | title = The existing basis for subspecies classification of black and white rhino | author = du Toit, R. | year = 1987 | pages = 3–5 | volume = 9}}</ref> was, however, considered erroneous by Groves and Grubb (2011), and ''D. b. occidentalis'' was re-established as a valid subspecies. As all southernmost populations of black rhinoceros were exterminated by the mid-19th century, ''D. b. bicornis'' is completely extinct today.<ref name=groves&grubb2011>{{cite book |title= Ungulate Taxonomy |last1=Groves |first1=C. | last2= Grubb | first2= P.|year=2011 |publisher= [[The Johns Hopkins University Press]]|location=[[Baltimore]] |isbn=978-1-4214-0093-8 |pages=317 |access-date=October 9, 2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v3uZtA1ZpTAC&q=diceros+bicornis+subspecies}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
⚫
{{Wikispecies|Diceros bicornis occidentalis}}
{{reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q13561007}}


⚫
[[Category:Black rhinoceros]]
{{wikispecies|Diceros bicornis occidentalis}}
⚫
[[Category:Mammals described in 1922]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:South-Western Black Rhinoceros}}
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[[Category:Rhinoceroses]]
⚫
[[Category:Animals described in 1922]]
[[Category:Mammals of Namibia]]
[[Category:Mammals of Namibia]]
[[Category:Mammals of Angola]]
[[Category:Mammals of Angola]]

Latest revision as of 15:26, 12 June 2024

South-western black rhinoceros
Female, Etosha National Park, Namibia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Perissodactyla
Family: Rhinocerotidae
Genus: Diceros
Species:
D. bicornis
Subspecies:
D. b. occidentalis
Trinomial name
Diceros bicornis occidentalis
(Zukowsky, 1922)

The south-western black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis occidentalis) is a subspecies of the black rhinoceros, living in southwestern Africa (northern Namibia and southern Angola, introduced to South Africa). It is currently listed as near threatened by the IUCN. The biggest threat towards the subspecies is illegal poaching.[1]

Taxonomy

[edit]

This subspecies is often mistaken for either the extinct southern black rhinoceros (D. b. bicornis) or the southeastern subspecies (D. b. minor). However, the populations in the arid areas of northern Namibia and southwestern Angola represent a separate subspecies.[2]

The holotype specimen, a male, was about 16 months old when caught alive by a Mr. Müller in 1914 near the Kunene River (Kaokoveld, border region between Namibia and Angola), and shipped to the Tierpark Hagenbeck, the Hamburg Zoo, in Germany. After its death on 15 October 1916, its hide and skeleton was preserved at the Zoologisches Museum Hamburg (specimen no. 40056) and described as belonging to a new species, Opsiceros occidentalis, by L. Zukowsky in 1922.[3][4] Opsiceros is an invalid synonym of the genus Diceros.[5]

Description

[edit]

The south-western black rhino, like all black rhino subspecies, has a distinct prehensile lip and is a browser. Its appearance is similar to other subspecies, the most important difference to them is a relatively broad head behind the eyes and minor features in the dentition. Other characters often mentioned, like body size or the straightness and size of the horns, are subject to individual variation.[5] They also are most adapted to arid habitat and can be found in arid savanna and desert climates.[citation needed]

Population and threats

[edit]

Historically, this subspecies once roamed in Angola, and Namibia, but their current range has decreased. The stronghold of the species is primarily in Namibia. One to four specimens have been reported from Angola and others were introduced to South Africa. Its total population is increasing and numbered to 1,920 animals in 2010, with 55.8% adults. Poaching due to increasing horn prices is considered the main threat to their population.[1][5] They successfully breed with the south-central black rhinoceros.

IUCN status

[edit]

The IUCN considers the living northern Namibian black rhino populations to belong to the subspecies D. bicornis bicornis, and does not recognize a separate D. b. occidentalis.[1] This synonymy, based upon du Toit (1987)[6] was, however, considered erroneous by Groves and Grubb (2011), and D. b. occidentalis was re-established as a valid subspecies. As all southernmost populations of black rhinoceros were exterminated by the mid-19th century, D. b. bicornis is completely extinct today.[5]

References

[edit]
Wikispecies has information related to Diceros bicornis occidentalis.
  1. ^ a b c d Emslie, R. (2020). "Diceros bicornis ssp. bicornis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T39318A45814419. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T39318A45814419.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  2. ^ Groves, C.; Grubb, P. (2011). Ungulate Taxonomy. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 317. ISBN 978-1-4214-0093-8. Retrieved October 7, 2012.
  3. ^ Zukowsky, L. (1922). "Vorläufige Mitteilung über eine neue Art des Spitzschnautz-Nashorns aus Südwest-Afrika" (PDF). Archiv für Naturgeschichte. 88A (7): 162–163.
  4. ^ Rookmaker, L.C. (1998). The Rhinoceros in Captivity. The Hague: SPB Academic Publishing bv. p. 409. ISBN 90-5103-134-3. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d Groves, C.; Grubb, P. (2011). Ungulate Taxonomy. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 317. ISBN 978-1-4214-0093-8. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
  6. ^ du Toit, R. (1987). "The existing basis for subspecies classification of black and white rhino" (PDF). Pachyderm. 9: 3–5.
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