The use of archeological and ethnographical information to supplement the historical record of the distribution of large mammalian herbivores in South Africa
The introduction of animal taxa to areas where they do not naturally occur has the potential to damage severely the native fauna and flora. Introductions, both accidental and intentional, to Australia, New Zealand, Marion Island and other oceanic islands provide spectacular examples of this. Non-native mammalian herbivores often become invasive in the absence of their […]
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 […]
Karyotype evolution of giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) revealed by cross-species chromosome painting with Chinese muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) and human (Homo sapiens) paints
Considering the giraffe ( Giraffa camelopardalis, GCA, 2n = 30) as a primitive species, its comparative genomic data are critical for our understanding of the karyotype evolution of pecorans. Here, we have established genome-wide chromosomal homologies between giraffe, Chinese muntjac ( Muntiacus reevesi, MRE, 2n = 46) and human ( Homo sapiens, HSA, 2n = […]
On reconstructing Giraffa sivalensis, and extinct giraffid from the Siwalik Hills, India
Giraffa sivalensis occurred during the Plio-Pleistocene period and probably represents the terminal species of the genus in Southern Asia. The holotype is an almost perfectly preserved cervical vertebra of disputed anatomical location. Although there is also uncertainty regarding this animal’s size, other specimens that have been assigned to this species include fragments of two humeri, […]
Sivatherium – A Giraffid of the Miocene, Pliocene, and Pleistocene
Silvertherium was a genus of giraffids that lived during the Miocene, Pliocene, and Pleistocene. This genus is further described in this article.
The giraffe symbol of the African wilderness
An article overviewing giraffe evolution, ecology, reproduction, and population threats. Also discussed briefly the Veterinary Red Line fence and impacts on population movements.
Mitochondrial DNA analyses show that Zambia’s South Luangwa Valley giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis thornicrofti) are genetically isolated
Thornicroft’s giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis thornicrofti, is a geographically isolated subspecies of giraffe found only in north-east Zambia. The population only occurs in Zambia’s South Luangwa Valley, an area which interestingly places it between the current distribution of Masai (G. c. tippelskirchi) giraffe to the north, and the Angolan (G. c. angolensis) and South African (G. […]
Structural evidence for insertion of collagen fibers to smooth muscle cells in the carotid arterial system of the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)
Previous anatomical studies have failed to resolve the question relating to whether or not collagen fibers, like elastic fibers, are attached to smooth muscle cells in the arterial wall. The current ultrastructural study demonstrates the insertion of collagen fibers to the sacrolemmal dark areas in the smooth muscle cells of the carotid arterial system of […]
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 […]
Sexual selection is not the origin of long necks in giraffes
The evolutionary origin of the long neck of giraffes is enigmatic. One theory (the ‘sexual selection’ theory) is that their shape evolved because males use their necks and heads to achieve sexual dominance. Support for this theory would be that males invest more in neck and head growth than do females. We have investigated this […]