Oryx

Oryx is a genus consisting of four large antelope species. Three of them are native to arid parts of Africa, and the fourth to the Arabian Peninsula. Their fur is pale with contrasting dark markings in the face and on the legs, and their long horns are almost straight. The exception is the scimitar oryx, which lacks dark markings on the legs, only has faint dark markings on the head, has an ochre neck, and horns that are clearly decurved.

The Arabian oryx was only saved from extinction through a captive breeding program and reintroduction to the wild. The scimitar oryx, which is now listed as Extinct in the Wild, also relies on a captive breeding program for its survival. Small populations of several oryx species, such as the Scimitar Oryx, exist in Texas and New Mexico (USA) in wild game ranches. Gemsboks were released at the White Sands Missile Range and have become an invasive species of concern at the adjacent White Sands National Monument.

Etymology

The term "oryx" comes from the Greek word Ὂρυξ, óryx, for a type of antelope. The Greek plural form is óryges, although oryxes has been established in English. Herodotus mentions a type of gazelle in Libya called "Orus", probably related to the verb ¨oruttoo" or "orussoo", meaning "to dig". White oryxes are known to dig holes in the sand for the sake of coolness.

Oryx (journal)

Oryx is a peer-reviewed academic journal of conservation published quarterly by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Fauna & Flora International. The journal was established in 1904 as Journal of the Society for the Preservation of the Wild Fauna of the Empire, and is currently edited by Martin Fisher. The named changed to Journal of the Society for the Preservation of the Fauna of the Empire, and acquired its current name in 1950.

External links

Oryx (ancient city)

Oryx (Ancient Greek: Όρυξ), also Halus (Ancient Greek: Ἁλοῦς) was an ancient town in Arcadia, part of the district of Kleitor. It was situated on the river Ladon, between Nassoi and Thaliades. The location of the ancient city is believed to be in or near the present Ladon reservoir.

References

↑  Smith, William, ed. (1854). "Arcadia". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography 1. London: John Murray. p. 193.