Missile Range Wildlife: Oryx gazella
Members of the oryx genus are likely one of the most distinctive mammals in current times. Most recognizable for their extensively long horns and interesting colored coats, these animals seem more suited as a cartoon depiction of a mythical creature, than an actual living, breathing species--evolutionary adaptations no doubt playing an extensive role in the development of these horns. However, despite their strangeness, members of the Oryx gazella species (common name: gemsbok) are prevalent in many different desert or savannah type environments across the world, including along the southern New Mexico border.
It’s difficult to fully appreciate oryx species in this world without looking over the circumstances that allowed their unique characteristics to prevail throughout time. Of course, their horns being the most prevalent aspect. As you can imagine, wielding 60-150-centimeter protrusions on the top of your head can provide both great advantages and weaknesses to survival (Sanders 2005). In terms of positive attributes, gemsbok use these horns to defend themselves and prove dominance in their herds, where aggressive hierarchy is determined based on fitness (Sanders 2005). In negative values, access is limited to areas with less open-aired landscapes, males with less fitness may find themselves injured or killed in hostile herd environments, or contrarily, be targeted for their impressive headgear in highly sought-after trophy hunting.
In an evolutionary outlook of the purpose of these horns, it’s a curious subject. Considering the application of selection in this case, looking at the gemsbok’s species presents a compelling look at how the even the strangest looking organisms are able to thrive in natural selection. Here, it seems the extreme phenotype of long pointy horns has persisted throughout time, due to disruptive selection. Taking into account how their behavior to wrestle and express dominance with aggressive stabs of their evolutionary weapons, it makes sense why we would see this type of severe extremity in nature, even today.
In the dry, arid climate of Africa, where these oryxes primarily prevail, these species are able to display their showy horns throughout their nomadic journeys (Sanders 2005). One of the more intriguing habitats of gemsbok, however, is almost as strange as the animal itself. In efforts to improve big game hunting in New Mexico where very little existing game thrived, the state’s Department of Game and Fish introduced these nonnative species to a small area that detonated the first atomic bomb: White Sands Missile Range (NPS 2016). Not unlike the dry, desiccated climates that persist in the home range of the oryx genus, continents away, gemsbok adapted well to this similar dune field in the Tularosa Basin.
The difference between these habitats, however, are crucial. Since food abundance in African habitats was quite low, individuals had to actively dig and browse to reach their water needs. Meanwhile, New Mexico landscapes opened a whole new host of possibilities: yucca, desert grasses, and gourds (NPS 2016). Greater food abundance only paved the way to creating a successful invasive species in this area. Unfortunately, this addition to the landscape has only caused greater damage than the “good” intended. Due to the newly formed access to White Sand’s buffet, gemsbok have oftentimes become too greedy. Overgrazing in the landscape has been rampant and since there are no large carnivores to control the population, this nonnative species has only evolved into an invasive one (NPS 2016).
Throughout all of Oryx gazella’s challenges, whether their presence in the United States is equitable, there’s no denying the intrinsic value of having these unique animals on our globe. If not simple entertainment to have them on U.S. soil, we must then consider how impactful human education in wildlife conservation is. To care about wildlife across seas and planes rides isn’t always easy. Seeing these creatures, even in unnatural ways, may only help further validate the need to keep their homeland habitats alive.
Sources
NPS. 2016. “Oryx Gazella.” U.S. Department of the Interior. https://www.nps.gov/whsa/learn/management/upload/Oryx_Gazella_04_03_16_-1-1MB_PDF.pdf. Accessed October 15, 2020.
Sanders, S. 2005. “Oryx Gazella.” Animal Diversity. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Oryx_gazella/. Accessed October 15, 2020.
