The Mongolian saiga (Saiga tatarica mongolica) is a subspecies of saiga antelope endemic to Mongolia.[1] It was originally described as a full species, but later the initial author moved it to its current taxonomic position.[1] It has also been considered a subspecies of Saiga borealis, but that has been shown to be incorrect.[1]
| Mongolian saiga | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Family: | Bovidae |
| Subfamily: | Antilopinae |
| Genus: | Saiga |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | S. t. mongolica
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| Trinomial name | |
| Saiga tatarica mongolica Bannikov
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| Range of Mongolian saiga shown in red | |
The Mongolian saiga can develop a sandy colour. The coat develops a pale, grayish-brown colour in winter, with a hint of brown on the belly and the neck. The ventral parts are generally white. The hairs, can grow as long as 40–70 mm (1.6–2.8 in) in winter. This forms a 12 to 15 cm (4.7 to 5.9 in) long mane on the neck. Two distinct moults can be observed in a year, one in spring from April to May and another in autumn from late September or early October to early December.[2]
The population of Mongolian saiga has steadily increased after a viral infection from livestock killed 60% of the population in Mongolia in 2017.[3][4]
References edit
- ^ a b c d IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group. (2018). "Saiga tatarica ssp. mongolica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T19833A50194613. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T19833A50194613.en.
- ^ Sokolov, Vladimir E. (1974). "Saiga tatarica". Mammalian Species. 38. The American Society of Mammalogists: 1–4. doi:10.2307/3503906. JSTOR 3503906.
- ^ "Mongolian saiga population hits 15,540". World Wildlife Federation. 23 November 2023. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
- ^ "Saiga World's quirkiest antelope". Flora & Fauna. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
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