Two hybrids with the sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei) have been described from the Antwerp zoo (Gray, 1972). Their gestation lasted 309 days and Cesarean section was necessary for delivery. One female hybrid produced a female offspring when mated with a male sitatunga.
14) Immunology
I am not aware of any immunological study in Tragelaphinae.
15) Pathological features
One common illness in hoofed species, including the Tragelaphinae, is the occurrence of "white muscle disease", an acute skeletal myopathy that occurs especially after strenuous exercise and capture (hence it is often called "capture myopathy"). This has been aptly summarized by Heldstab & Ruedi (1980). A congenital defect of diaphragmatic hernia was identified in San Diego (see Benirschke et al., 1982). This neonate possessed one each of the two X-chromosome morphotypes. It is unlikely, however, that the different X-chromosome types were related to the anomaly. Tragelaphinae are apparently susceptible to develop a scrapie-like encephalopathy. This was reported twice in greater kudus by Kirkwood et al. (1992, 1994). In one case the disease may have been transmitted in utero.
16) Physiologic data
There are no such studies on bongos. Methods of immobilization were discussed by Haigh (1976), and a Cesarean section has been described by Bush et al. (1973). Pospisil et al. (1984) reported hematological values on these species. They were generally similar to those of humans.
17) Other resources
Cell strains from many specimens of this species and related tragelaphines are available from CRES at the Zoological Society of San Diego. 18) Other remarks - What additional Information is needed?
More placentas need to be studied to better understand the length of the umbilical cord, weights, and possible diseases. It is especially important to obtain more rapidly fixed material than was possible for me to obtain.
Acknowledgement
Most of the animal photographs in these chapters come from the Zoological Society of San Diego. I appreciate also very much the help of the pathologists at the San Diego Zoo.
References
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