Posted on 09/08/2016 11:16:42 AM PDT by JimSEA
Up until now, scientists had only recognized a single species of giraffe made up of several subspecies. But, according to the most inclusive genetic analysis of giraffe relationships to date, giraffes actually aren't one species, but four. For comparison, the genetic differences among giraffe species are at least as great as those between polar and brown bears.
The unexpected findings reported in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on September 8 highlight the urgent need for further study of the four genetically isolated species and for greater conservation efforts for the world's tallest mammal, the researchers say.
"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. Giraffes are also assumed to have similar ecological requirements across their range, he added, "but no one really knows, because this megafauna has been largely overlooked by science."
Giraffes are in dramatic decline across their range in Africa. Their numbers have dropped substantially over the last three decades, from more than 150,000 individuals to fewer than 100,000. Despite that, the researchers say that there has been relatively little research done on giraffes in comparison to other large animals, such as elephants, rhinoceroses, gorillas, and lions.
(Excerpt) Read more at sciencedaily.com ...
An article that makes a logical follow on to the Cambrian Explosion posts from yesterday.
Genetic isolation refers to no cross breeding between species. The circumstances of each species, however, are different - which prompted adaptations through genetic differentiation from the original species.
Interesting. Thanks for sharing
When will it come out that humans are made up of different genetically isolated species.
I understand that Wikipedia is not a scholarly journal and is not thoroughly trustworthy. However —
Wikipedia has the status of Giraffe as “Least Concern” meaning that these things are not really close to extinction.
Of course, if the single species gets suddenly re-classified as 4 species then the population of each of those species would (on average) be a mere 25% of the population just yesterday, right? OMG there are practically no giraffes of species ABC left in the wild!!!!!
I hope they aren’t playing games with numbers.
I especially hope this isn’t becoming news because a young American girl recently went on a fully sanctioned hunt and lawfully shot a giraffe.
“Species” or “races?”
I’m surprised this is just now being officially discovered.
It could have been overlooked because Giraffe are not usually harvested for their tusks, fur or meat in great numbers. They are innocuous herbivores, eating only plants. So they aren’t hunting anything that moves around or consumes another living thing. It would be great to help them prosper, but at this point in world history, the Giraffe may by safer on a Wilderness maintained by Governmental organizations that support tourism.
” a young American girl recently went on a fully sanctioned hunt and lawfully shot a giraffe”
Not a “Toys R Us” kid, I take it.
She has better toys than I do.
Pure speculation: But I’m wondering if the Giraffe and Camel are closely related? There are some similarities, but the main difference would be temperment. Camels have a reputation for being feisty, combative and with a terrible bite. This may be the Camel’s reaction to being a ‘beast of burden’ over the centuries. I don’t recall ever seeing a Giraffe utilized as a beast of burden, or even ridden by a grown man.
That’s going to mess up their family reunions.
Wasn’t Ford Prefect responsible for what would become the giraffe?
Regardless, it’s still Bush’s fault.
Regardless, it’s still Bush’s fault.
Regardless, it’s still Bush’s fault.
Regardless, it’s still Bush’s fault.
That's a slippery concept. Lions and tigers are separate species but on rare occasions mate and produce offspring.
Is a mule a separate species from donkey and horse?
They are particularly in danger from 12 year old girls.
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