antilopine

Antilopine is an adjective and noun used in zoology to refer to antelopes. In many classifications, antilopine denotes the subfamily Antilopinae within the Bovidae, a diverse group of true antelopes native to Africa, Eurasia, and parts of Asia. Members commonly associated with the term include gazelles (Gazella), impalas (Aepyceros), springboks (Antidorcas), addaxes (Addax), oryx (Oryx), and saigas (Saiga). Taxonomic boundaries for the group vary among authorities, but the term generally encompasses a broad assemblage of antelope species.

Antilopines occupy a range of open habitats, such as savannas, grasslands, deserts, and steppes. They are typically medium-sized bovids with a spectrum of body forms from slender to more robust, as seen in species like gazelles and oryx. Horns are common in many taxa, often present in both sexes in some lineages or more sexually dimorphic in others. Coat colors are generally brown or gray, frequently with distinctive markings that aid in camouflage and signaling.

Ecology and behavior vary by species but share certain patterns. Most antilopines are herbivorous, feeding on grasses and forbs with seasonal adjustments. Social structures range from small bachelor groups to larger herds, and many species exhibit seasonal or lek-like mating systems or harems. Predators such as large carnivores and humans shape their behavior and distribution, while habitat loss and hunting contribute to declines in several populations.

Taxonomy and usage: Antilopinae placement differs among sources, but it is commonly treated as a subfamily within Bovidae, subdivided into several tribes including Aepycerotini, Antilopini, and Saigini.