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A comparative approach for species delimitation based on multiple methods of multi-locus DNA sequence analysis: A case study of the genus Giraffa (Mammalia, Cetartiodactyla)

Molecular data are now commonly used in taxonomy for delimiting cryptic species. In the case of giraffes, which were treated as a single species (Giraffa camelopardalis) during half of a century, several molecular studies have suggested a splitting into four to seven species, but the criteria applied for taxonomic delimitation were not fully described. In this study, we have analysed all multi-locus DNA sequences available for giraffes using multispecies coalescent (MSC: *BEAST, BPP and STACEY), population genetic (STRUCTURE, allelic networks,

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Giraffe Husbandry Manual

Husbandry manuals serve as a source of reference on the biology, maintenance, housing, health, behaviour, diet, breeding, restrain and transporting of animals held in captivity. They act as a major source of information for the species. The present information and experiences (both published and unpublished) together so that the knowledge of that particular species can be passed on, which in turn allows for techniques to develop rather than be reinvented resulting in the overall improvement in the husbandry of that

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A conservation assessment of Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa

Taxonomic notes: Currently, nine subspecies classifications have been proposed for Giraffe (Ansell 1972; Dagg & Foster 1982; Kingdon 1997; East 1999; Grubb 2005; Ciofolo & Pendu 2013). There is considerable uncertainty surrounding the geographic and taxonomic limits of all described subspecies (Fennessy et al. 2013). Furthermore, recent genetic work suggests that several subspecies may even represent distinct species (Brown et al. 2007). Globally, only the forms G. c. peralta from West Africa, which recent genetic evidence has confirmed is indeed

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Studies of coprophilous ascomycetes in Kenya, Podospora species from wildlife dung

Moist chamber cultures were made from wildlife dung (including giraffe dung) obtained from national parks in Kenya. Ten dung types produced 28 specimens of Podospora. Five species, Podospora anserina, P. argentinensis, P. australis, P. communis and P. minor are described using their morphological features. Podospora minor seems to be a rare species and is recorded for the first time in Kenya. Podospora communis, P. anserina and P. australis are the most common species on dung types examined.

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Standing Tall for Giraffes – Research and Conservation of an Overlooked African Icon

Despite being iconically African, the giraffe remains largely understudied in the wild—unlike most of the continent’s other large megafauna. In part, this is because giraffes were not heavily hunted until recently: they don’t produce tusks or horns that are coveted as trophies or medicine and they are not an aggressive species. Sadly, the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) now estimates that giraffe numbers have plummeted across Africa by 40 percent in the last decade to less than 80,000 individuals due to

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Mitochondrial DNA variability in Giraffa camelopardalis: consequences for taxonomy, phylogeography and conservation of giraffes in West and central Africa

The giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) still survives in four countries of West and central Africa. The populations of Niger and Cameroon are generally assigned to the subspecies peralta, but those of Chad and the Central African Republic are taxonomically problematic, as they are referred to as either peralta, or antiquorum, or congoensis. In this study, a mitochondrial fragment of 1765 nucleotide sites, covering the complete cytochrome b gene, three transfer RNAs and a large part of the control region, was sequenced

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An overview of giraffe giraffa camelopardalis taxonomy, distribution and conservation status, with a Namibian comparative and focus on the Kunene Region.

Limited knowledge of the giraffe’s taxonomy, distribution and conservation status currently exists at the species and subspecies level. This lack of understanding has compounded the species long-term conservation Africa-wide, including in Namibia where waves have been made regarding the species potential conservation down listing based on little, if any, scientific evidence. This study provides the first concise overview of the Namibian giraffe in respect to its taxonomy, conservation status, population numbers and historical distribution, and in context of the entire

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Species characterization in the genus pestivirus according to palindromic nucleotide substitutions in the 5′ untranslated region

The palindromic nucleotide substitutions (PNS) at the three variable loci (V1, V2, and V3) in the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of the Pestivirus genome have been considered for taxonomical segregation of the species, through the evaluation of 533 strains. On the basis of qualitative and quantitative secondary structure characteristics, species have been identified within the genus, determining genetic distances between species isolates, clarifying borderline and multirelated sequences, and characterizing and clustering the Pestivirus strains showing unexpected genomic sequences. Nine genomic

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Gazing at a giraffe gyroscope: where are we going?

Giraffe are popular animals to watch while on wildlife safaris, and feature prominently in zoos, advertisements, toys and cartoons. Yet, until recently, few field studies have focused on giraffe. We introduce this giraffe topic issue with a review essay that explores five primary questions: How many (sub) species of giraffe exist? What are the dynamics of giraffe herds? How do giraffe communicate? What is the role of sexual selection in giraffe reproduction? How many giraffe reside in Africa? A confluence

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