Giraffe

[Toko]

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/14/219

From previous studies [2] and historical assumptions [6], it was expected that Botswana and Namibia contain Angolan giraffe, and that the South African giraffe occurs further south and east in South Africa and Zimbabwe [2],[6],[25]. However, our data suggest a narrow zone separating Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana, which is inhabited only by Angolan giraffe, from Chobe National Park, Moremi Game Reserve, Nxai Pans Park, and Vumbura Concession in northern Botswana, which are inhabited by South African giraffe. The central and northwestern giraffe populations in Namibia have formerly been assigned to Angolan giraffe [1],[16]. Based on our results, the Bwabwata National Park population in northeastern Namibia unambiguously represents South African giraffe. The Bwabwata National Park population is geographically close (<100 km) to Chobe National Park and Vumbura Concession (also inhabited by South African giraffe), whereas the nearest natural Angolan giraffe population is >500 km to the west (Etosha National Park) or >350 km to the south (Central Kalahari Game Reserve).

Another article about Namibian giraffe here: http://www.giraffeconservation.org/down ... .php?id=15

[Dewi]

Interesting. Thanks Toko.

[Richprins]

There are four species of giraffe, not one

2016-09-10 07:40

Miami - There are actually four species of giraffe, not one as previously believed, researchers said on Thursday in a discovery that could change conservation efforts for the world's tallest mammal.

The study in the journal Current Biology is based on DNA evidence from skin biopsies of 190 giraffes across Africa.

Giraffe populations have dropped dramatically in Africa over the past few decades, going from about 150 000 to less than 100 000.

But giraffes have been little studied, compared to other large animals like elephants, rhinoceroses, gorillas and lions.




Until now, researchers believed there was one species of giraffe, and as many as nine subspecies.

The latest data shows there are four distinct species of giraffe which apparently do not mate with each other in the wild.

"Those four species include (the) southern giraffe (Giraffa giraffa), Masai giraffe (G. tippelskirchi), reticulated giraffe (G. reticulata), and northern giraffe (G. camelopardalis), which includes the Nubian giraffe (G. c. camelopardalis) as a distinct subspecies," said the study.

It also said the genetic differences among giraffe species "are at least as great as those between polar and brown bears."

"We were extremely surprised because the morphological and coat pattern differences between giraffe are limited," says Axel Janke, a geneticist at the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre and Goethe University in Germany.

"Consequently, giraffes should be recognised as four distinct species despite their similar appearance."

Now, researchers say some giraffes could be considered for listing as a vulnerable or endangered species on the Red List maintained by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

For example, the northern giraffe numbers less than 4 750 individuals in the wild. There are fewer than 8 700 reticulated giraffes, making each species among the most endangered large mammals in the world, the research team said.


http://www.news24.com/Green/News/there- ... isapp=true

[nan]

it seems I posted some of them somewhere

[Mel]

Right on this thread, nan. Go to page 4

[nan]

thank you

[okie]

Quote:
"Those four species include (the) southern giraffe (Giraffa giraffa), Masai giraffe (G. tippelskirchi), reticulated giraffe (G. reticulata), and northern giraffe (G. camelopardalis), which includes the Nubian giraffe (G. c. camelopardalis) as a distinct subspecies," said the study.
Unquote

Very interesting .

[Dzombo]

I was looking through some photos of a trip I did to Pilanesburg in 2007.
Seems like a lifetime ago!

Giraffe (and elephants) are my favorite animals

[Flutterby]

Lovely pics.

[Richprins]

Not bad Dzombs!