White crests are symbols of different stripes among antelopes
Nyala angasii photo © Kjersti Holmang
Nyala angasii photo © Papphase
The nyala and springboks are southern African bovids both possessing white, erectile dorsal crests. However, the functions of these crests could hardly differ more. In the nyala, the crest is restricted to the male and crowns the display of male rivalry. By contrast, in springboks the crest is never erected to show masculinity but is the main feature displayed in a different type of competition: display of fitness to predators. Accordingly, the crest is raised mainly by mature males of the nyala compared to juveniles of springboks.
Robin and the Honey Badger, 22 March 2016
Antidorcas marsupiali photo © Hans Stieglitz
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Photographs:
Nyala angasii erectile dorsal crest
Nyala angasii erectile dorsal crest
Juvenile Antidorcas marsupiali erectile dorsal crest
Antidorcas marsupiali erectile dorsal crest exposed by hunter
Antidorcas marsupiali erectile dorsal crest exposed by hunter
