Search the Article Database:

Search our library of articles, papers and other published materials. You can use keywords or boolean-style search:

A comparison of postnatal arterial patterns in a growth series of giraffe (Artiodactyla: Giraffa camelopardalis)

Nearly all living artiodactyls (even-toed ungulates) possess a derived cranial arterial pattern that is highly distinctive from most other mammals. Foremost among a suite of atypical arterial configurations is the functional and anatomical replacement of the internal carotid artery with an extensive, subdural arterial meshwork called the carotid rete. This interdigitating network branches from the maxillary artery and is housed within the cavernous venous sinus. As the cavernous sinus receives cooled blood draining from the nasal mucosa, heat rapidly dissipates

View Details + Download

An integrated chromosome-scale genome assembly of the Masai giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi)

Background: The Masai giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi) is the largest-bodied giraffe and the world’s tallest terrestrial animal. With its extreme size and height, the giraffe’s unique anatomical and physiological adaptations have long been of interest to diverse research fields. Giraffes are also critical to ecosystems of sub-Saharan Africa, with their long neck serving as a conduit to food sources not shared by other herbivores. Although the genome of a Masai giraffe has been sequenced, the assembly was highly fragmented and

View Details + Download

Serum concentrations of amino acids, fatty acids, lipoproteins, vitamins A and E, and minerals in apparently healthy, free-ranging Southern Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffe)

This pilot project began establishing a nutritional profile for free-ranging giraffe. The results will be used as a tool to begin assessing the nutritional status of captive giraffe. In October 2004 serum samples were collected opportunistically from seven adult and 17 sub-adult giraffe being anesthetized for different studies. Seventeen animals were from Double Drift Game Reserve and seven animals were from Kariega Private Game Reserve. The serum samples were analyzed for circulating concentrations of amino acids, fatty acids, lipoproteins, vitamins,

View Details + Download

Differences in Fecal Particle Size Between Free-ranging and Captive Individuals of Two Browser Species

Data from captive animals indicated that browsing (BR) ruminants have larger fecal particles—indicative of lesser chewing efficiency—than grazers (GR). To answer whether this reflects fundamental differences between the animal groups, or different reactions of basically similar organisms to diets fed in captivity, we compared mean fecal particle size (MPS) in a GR and a BR ruminant (aurox Bos primigenius taurus, giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis) and a GR and a BR hindgut fermenter (Przewalski’s horse Equus ferus przewalskii, lowland tapir Tapirus terrestris),

View Details + Download

The destructive feeding ecology of elephants versus giraffes in South Africa

The giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), tallest of the land mammals and heaviest of all ruminants, is one of the world’s best-known animals because of its highly distinctive appearance. The African elephant (Loxodonta africana), is the largest land mammal on Earth and one of the most interesting species because of its unique feeding strategies. How destructive is the feeding ecology of elephants as compared to giraffes? A comparison of the two species’ diets, feeding strategies, environmental impacts and management are considered.

View Details + Download

Daytime activity patterns of gerenuk and giraffe in Tsavo National Park, Kenya

Individual daytime activity patterns of gerenuks (Litocranius walleri) and giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) varied considerably, being influenced by such factors as the social environment, reproductive status, predators, and weather conditions. In male gerenuks and female giraffes, relative feeding time per day was inversely correlated with ambient temperature at 14.00 hours; the same relationship applied to mean distance moved per hour by female giraffes. Gerenuks commonly lay down during rain; this probably serves to reduce heat loss. Most individual daily activity patterns

View Details + Download

Sex differences in giraffe foraging behavior at two spatial scales

We test predictions about differences in the foraging behaviors of male and female giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi Matchie) that derive from a hypothesis linking sexual size dimorphism to foraging behavior. This body-size hypothesis predicts that males will exhibit specific behaviors that increase their dry-matter intake rate relative to females. Foraging behavior was examined at two hierarchical levels corresponding to two spatial and temporal scales, within patches and within habitats.  Patches are defined as individual trees or shrubs and habitats are

View Details + Download

Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase as a prognostic indicator of neonatal viability in nondomestic ruminants

Rapid assessment of immune status in neonatal ruminants of endangered species facilitates early intervention in cases of inadequate passive transfer of maternal immunoglobulins. Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) was used to evaluate suspected passive transfer status in 25 North Indian muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak vaginalis), 45 Cretan goats (Capra algagrus cretica), 20 white-lipped deer (Cervus albirostris), 25 Mhorr gazelles (Gazella dama mhorr), and 31 Soemmerring’s gazelles (Gazella soemmerringi soemmerringi). Serum GGT, measured within 48 hr of birth, was compared with clinical condition at

View Details + Download