Bongo (antelope) - Taxonomy

Taxonomy

The bongo belongs to the genus Tragelaphus, which includes the sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekeii), the nyala (Tragelaphus angasii), the bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), the mountain nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni), the Lesser Kudu (Tragelaphus imberbis) and the greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros).

Bongos are further classified into two subspecies: Tragelaphus eurycerus eurycerus, the lowland or "western bongo", and the far rarer Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci, the mountain or "eastern bongo" restricted to north-eastern Central Africa. The eastern bongo is larger and heavier than the western bongo. Two other subspecies are described from West and Central Africa, but taxonomic clarification is required. They have been observed to live up to 19 years.

The scientific name Tragelaphus eurycerus is acquired from Greek words: "Tragelaphus" is derived from the Greek words "trago" (a he-goat), and "elaphos" (a deer), in combination referring to "an antelope". The word "eurycerus" is originated from the fusion of "eurus" (broad, widespread) and "keras" (an animal's horn). "Bongo" is derived from a West African native name.