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
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Subfamily: Antilopinae
Genus: Saiga
Species:
Subspecies:
S. t. mongolica
Trinomial name
Saiga tatarica mongolica
Bannikov
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

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ Sokolov, Vladimir E. (1974). "Saiga tatarica". Mammalian Species. 38. The American Society of Mammalogists: 1–4. doi:10.2307/3503906. JSTOR 3503906.
  3. ^ "Mongolian saiga population hits 15,540". World Wildlife Federation. 23 November 2023. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  4. ^ "Saiga World's quirkiest antelope". Flora & Fauna. Retrieved 2024-01-13.