Global research output in Antelope species: A case study

Abstract

An analysis of 1689 papers on global antelope research during 1989–2017, as indexed in Web of Science (WoS) database indicate 27247 citations received among the publications, registering an average citation of 16 per paper. The growth rate of publications varied from 0.80 to 6.30 % per year. Highest number of antelope papers published during 2015 and 2011 were 106 and 102 respectively. Most of the researchers on antelope preferred to publish their papers around 1460 as articles followed by each 53 reviews and proceeding papers, 26 book chapters, 24 abstracts and editorial materials equally, 22 notes, 12 letters, 10 news items and 5 other publications. USA is found to be the leading country in antelope research with 595 papers. The USA and the South Africa make up 35.2 and 14.9 % of global articles antelope on respectively. University of Pretoria and University of the Witwatersrand published the highest number of articles among the top 30 institutions. African Journal of Ecology was the top journal of publication output (72 papers; 847 citations; 1.78 IF); Molecular Ecology had the highest impact factor (12 papers; 441 citations; 6.01 IF); Biological Conservation received the highest number of citations (31 papers; 1190 citations; 4.29 IF) among the top 30 journals. Of the top 30 authors accounted, six authors have registered higher publications, of which the most productive author is Milner-Gulland with 36 papers and 1042 citations. The scientometric analysis reveals that the international status of antelope research is not satisfactory. Antelope non-habitat countries (i.e., USA, UK, Germany and France) have the highest number of publications compared to Antelope habitat countries. The IUCN, SSC and ASG organizations could motivate the antelope researchers with sufficient funding support to the Institutes/ Universities/Zoo/Conservation centre, etc. to do scientific research in order to conserve antelope species throughout the world.