Other species of the genus Tragelaphus are the bongo, kudus, nyalas, and sitatunga, although animals of this genus are sometimes referred to collectively as bushbucks. All are retiring, largely nocturnal antelopes; except for the bongo, the female is hornless. The nyala, T. angasii, is a medium-sized antelope that inhabits the bush country and thickets of central Africa. The mountain nyala, T. buxtoni, is a very large antelope of the highlands of Ethiopia; the male may stand 4 1⁄2 ft (135 cm) high. The sitatunga, or marsh buck, T. spekii, is a large antelope found in swampy forests in central Africa; it is a good swimmer, but it is awkward on land.
Bushbucks are classified in the phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Mammalia, order Artiodactyla, family Bovidae.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
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