Population dynamics of the gemsbok (Oryx gazella)

We aim to understand the evolutionary history and population dynamics of this antelope that is distributed over large parts of southern Africa. For this it is necessary to cover as much of the species’ geographic range as possible. Samples from Zimbabwe from a location where the gemsbok is extirpated today (Matabeleland) are therefore especially interesting since they promise insights into variants and genomic diversity that might be lost today.

With this project, we can contribute to the above-mentioned mission by providing a better understanding of the evolutionary history of an important South African species and how it was impacted by humans. This will yield important implications for conservation and management efforts for this species.