Impala

The name impala comes from the Zulu language meaning "gazelle". The scientific name, Aepyceros melampus, is derived from Greek words αιπος aipos ("high"), κερος ceros ("horn") and melas ("black"), pous ("foot").

Historically, taxonomists placed impalas in the same tribe as gazelles, kobs, and hartebeests. However, the impala was subsequently placed in its own tribe, Aepycerotini, which has been elevated to subfamily status.

Up to six subspecies have been describedalthough only two are usually distinguished, supported by mitochondrial DNA analysis.These are the Common impala (A. m. melampus) and the Black-faced impala (A. m. petersi).

Only one species of impala exists today, although several fossil species are known, including A. datoadeni from the Pliocene of Ethiopia.[