Northern giraffe

Northern giraffe
A West African giraffe (G. camelopardalis peralta).
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Giraffidae
Genus: Giraffa
Species: G. camelopardalis
Binomial name
Giraffa camelopardalis
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Subspecies

G. c. camelopardalis (Linnaeus, 1758)
G. c. antiquorum (Jardine/Swainson, 1835)
G. c. peralta (Thomas, 1898)
G. c. rothschildi (Lydekker, 1903)

Range map of extant Giraffa divided by species, subspecies and distinct population groups.

The northern giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), also known as three-horned giraffe,[2] is a proposed species of giraffe native to North Africa. Proposed to be a separate species, it is considered the type species and one of the four living species of the genus Giraffa.[3] The species was described and given its binomial name by Swedish zoologist Carl Linnaeus in 1758. Three subspecies are recognized. In the current IUCN taxonomic scheme, there is only one species of giraffe with the name G. camelopardalis and nine subspecies.[1]

Once abundant throughout Africa since the 19th century, it ranged from Senegal, Mali and Nigeria from West Africa to up north in Egypt.[4] The West African giraffes once lived in Algeria and Morocco in ancient periods until their extinctions due to the Saharan dry climate.[5][6][4] It is isolated in South Sudan, Kenya, Chad and Niger.

All giraffes are considered Vulnerable to extinction by the IUCN.[1][7] In 2016, around 97,000 individuals from all subspecies were present in the wild.[7] There are currently 5,195 northern giraffes.

Taxonomy and evolution

Internal systematics of giraffes (Fennessy et al. 2016)[8]

Giraffa 


 Giraffa giraffa


 Giraffa tippelskirchi


 Giraffa reticulata

 Giraffa camelopardalis 





All living giraffes were originally classified as one species by Carl Linnaeus in the Systema Naturæ per regna tria naturæ, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis in 1758. He described the giraffe from Æthiopia or Sennar of Eastern Sudan and gave it the binomial name Cervus camelopardalis.[9] Morten Thrane Brünnich classified the genus Giraffa in 1772.[10] The species name camelopardalis is from Latin.[11]

Following Linnaeus's description of the giraffe, several specimens were described by other naturalists and zoologists since the end of the 18th century under different scientific names, which are all considered synonyms of Giraffa camelopardalis today:

In the current IUCN taxonomic scheme there is only one species of giraffe with the name G. camelopardalis and nine subspecies.[7][12]

Subspecies

Three subspecies of northern giraffes are proposed. A former subspecies are also included- Rothschild's giraffe was once considered its own subspecies, but after recent genetic analysis, it has been deemed conspecific with the Nubian giraffe.[8]

Subspecies of Northern giraffe
Subspecies Description Image
Nubian giraffe (G. c. camelopardalis)[13] The nominate subspecies of the Northern giraffe, is found in eastern South Sudan and south-western Ethiopia.[3] It has sharply defined chestnut-coloured spots surrounded by mostly white lines, while undersides lack spotting. The median lump is particularly developed in the male.[14]:51 Around 2,150 are thought to remain in the wild, of which 1,500 are of the Rothschild ecotype.[8] It is one of the most common types of giraffe in captivity, although the original phenotype is rare- a group is kept at Al Ain Zoo in the United Arab Emirates.[15] In 2003, this group numbered 14.[16]
Kordofan giraffe (G. c. antiquorum) The Kordofan giraffe is a subspecies of the Northern giraffe (G. cameleopardis) and has a population of 2,000 in a distribution which includes southern Chad, the Central African Republic, northern Cameroon, and north-eastern DR Congo.[8] Populations in Cameroon were formerly included in G. c. peralta, but this was incorrect.[17] Compared to the Nubian giraffe, this subspecies has smaller and more irregular spotting patterns. Its spots may be found below the hocks and the insides of the legs. A median lump is present in males.[14]:51–52 Considerable confusion has existed over the status of this subspecies and G. c. peralta in zoos. In 2007, all alleged G. c. peralta in European zoos were shown to be, in fact, G. c. antiquorum.[17] With this correction, about 65 are kept in zoos.[18] The formerly recognised subspecies G. c. congoesis is now considered part of Kordofan subspecies.
Rothschild's giraffe ("G. c. rothschildi", after Walter Rothschild),[13] also known as Baringo giraffe or Ugandan giraffe The Rothschild's giraffe is a former subspecies of the conglomerate Giraffa species, but it is now considered an ecotype of the Northern giraffe (Giraffa camleopardis). Its range includes parts of Uganda and Kenya.[1] Its presence in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo is uncertain.[19] This giraffe has large dark patches that usually have complete margins, but may also have sharp edges. The dark spots may also have paler radiating lines or streaks within them. Spotting does not often reach below the hocks and almost never to the hooves. This ecotype may also develop five "horns".[14]:53 Around 1500 are believed to remain in the wild,[8] and more than 450 are kept in zoos.[18] According to genetic analysis circa September 2016, it is conspecific with the Nubian giraffe (G. c. camelopardalis).[8]
The West African giraffe (G. c. peralta),[13] also known as Niger giraffe or Nigerian giraffe[20] The West African giraffe is a subspecies of the Northern giraffe (G. cameleopardis) endemic to south-western Niger.[1] This animal has a lighter pelage than other subspecies,[21]:322 with red lobe-shaped blotches that reach below the hocks. The ossicones are more erect than in other subspecies and males have well-developed median lumps.[14]:52–53 It is the most endangered subspecies with fewer than 400 individuals remaining in the wild.[8] Giraffes in Cameroon were formerly believed to belong to this subspecies, but are actually G. c. antiquorum.[17] This error resulted in some confusion over its status in zoos, but in 2007, it was established that all "G. c. peralta" kept in European zoos actually are G. c. antiquorum.[17]

Description

Male giraffes are usually taller than female giraffes. The northern giraffe is the palest giraffe species. The color varies from white to fawn. The polygonal marks vary from orange, red to chocolate brown. The legs below the knees and hocks lack patches and are usually white. Northern giraffes have more facial patches than the southern giraffes.[2]

The giraffes have two horn-like protuberances known as ossicones on their foreheads. The northern giraffe's are longer and larger than that of the southern giraffes', though male northern giraffes have a third cylindrical ossicone in the center of the head just above the eyes which are from 3 to 5 inches long.[2]

Distribution and habitat

Northern giraffes (G. c. camelopardalis) in the savannahs of Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda.

The Northern giraffes live in the savannahs, shrublands and woodlands. After local extinctions in various places, the Northern giraffes are the least numerous species and the most endangered. In East Africa, they are mostly found in Kenya and southwestern Ethiopia, though rarely in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan. There are about 2,000 in the Central African Republic, Chad and Cameroon of Central Africa. Once widespread in West Africa, a few hundreds of Northern giraffes are confined at the Dosso Reserve of Kouré, Niger. They are common in both in and outside of protected areas.[1]

The earliest ranges of the Northern giraffes were in Chad during the late Pliocene. were once abundant in North Africa. They lived in Algeria since early Pleistocene during the Quaternary period. They lived in Morocco until their extinction around the year A.D. 600, as the dry climate of the Sahara made conditions impossible for the giraffes.[5] They are also extinct in Libya and Egypt.[6]

Ecology and behavior

Northern giraffes (G. c. camelopardalis) feeding on trees Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya.

Diet

Northern giraffes are herbivorous mammals. They usually live in savannahs, grasslands, shrublands and woodlands where food vegetation are available. They feed on leaves, flowers, fruits and shoots of woody plants such as Acacia tree twigs. They consume up to 63 kg of food a day.

Mortality and health

Adult northern giraffes have high percent survival,[8] due to their size, eyesight, hearing, sense of smell and powerful kicks,[22] and they can live up to 25 years in the wild.[13] Though calves are vulnerable to predation, as they can be preyed upon by such as lions, leopards, spotted hyenas and African wild dogs.[23] Nile crocodiles are also a threat to giraffes when they bend down to drink.[24] The local, seasonal presence of large herds of migratory wildebeests or plains zebras reduces predation pressure on giraffe calves and increases their survival probability.[25]

Threats

In 2010, giraffes were listed as Least Concern. As of 2016, giraffes were all listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List.[1] Although the Nubian and West African giraffes are listed as Endangered since 2008.

Conservation

In 2015 and 2016, Nubian giraffes were reintroduced into Uganda's Lake Mburo National Park and the southern bank of the Nile River in Murchison Falls National Park respectively after an absence of 100 years or more.[26]

In captivity

The stuffed Nubian giraffe, Zarafa in the Museum of Natural History of La Rochelle, France.

The Nubian giraffe known as G. c rothschildi and the reticulated giraffe are one of the most common captive giraffes. Although, G. c camelopardalis is rare in captivity. It is found in captivity in Giza Zoo from Egypt and the Al Ain Zoo from the United Arab Emirates, the only known zoo outside of Africa have Nubian giraffes.[15][16] Genetic analysis has also revealed that all "West African giraffes" in European zoos are in fact Kordofan giraffes, therefore no West African giraffes have ever been in captivity at all.[17]

Relationship with humans

Humans have interacted with giraffes for millennia. Giraffes were depicted in art throughout the African continent, including that of the Kiffians, Egyptians and Meroë Nubians.[24]:45–47 The Kiffians were responsible for a life-size rock engraving of two giraffes that has been called the "world's largest rock art petroglyph".[24]:45[27] The Egyptians gave the giraffe its own hieroglyph, named 'sr' in Old Egyptian and 'mmy' in later periods.[24]:49 They also kept giraffes as pets and shipped them around the Mediterranean.[24]:48–49

The giraffe was also known to the Greeks and Romans, who believed that it was an unnatural hybrid of a camel and a leopard and called it camelopardalis.[24]:50 The giraffe was among the many animals collected and displayed by the Romans. The first one in Rome was brought in by Julius Caesar in 46 BC and exhibited to the public.[24]:52 With the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the housing of giraffes in Europe declined.[24]:54 During the Middle Ages, giraffes were known to Europeans through contact with the Arabs, who revered the giraffe for its peculiar appearance.[23]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Muller, Z., Bercovitch, F., Fennessy, J., Brown, D., Brand, R., Brown, M., Bolger, D., Carter, K., Deacon, F., Doherty, J., Fennessy, S., Hussein, A.A., Lee, D., Marais, A., Strauss, M., Tutchings, A. & Wube, T. (2016). "Giraffa camelopardalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2015.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 2016-12-08.
  2. 1 2 3 Linnaeus, C. (1758). The Nubian or Three-horned giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis). Existing Forms of Giraffe (February 16, 1897): 14.
  3. 1 2 "Giraffe – The Facts: Current giraffe status?". Giraffe Conservation Foundation. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
  4. 1 2 Alexandre Hassanin, Anne Ropiquet, Anne-Laure Gourmand, Bertrand Chardonnet, Jacques Rigoulet : Mitochondrial DNA variability in Giraffa camelopardalis: consequences for taxonomy, phylogeography and conservation of giraffes in West and central Africa. C. R. Biologies 330 (2007) 265–274. online abstract
  5. 1 2 Anne Innis Dagg (23 January 2014). Giraffe: Biology, Behaviour and Conservation. Cambridge University Press. p. 5. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  6. 1 2 Fred Wendorf, Romuald Schild (11 November 2013). Holocene Settlement of the Egyptian Sahara: Volume 1: The Archaeology of Nabta Playa. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 622. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 Muller, Z.; et al. (2016). "Giraffa camelopardalis (Giraffe)". www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved 2017-05-02.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 http://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822(16)30787-4
  9. 1 2 3 Linnaeus, C. (1758). Nubian giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis camelopardalis). Catalogue of the ungulate mammals in the British Museum (Natural History) (1913): 242.
  10. ↑ Dagg, A. I. (1971). "Giraffa camelopardalis" (PDF). Mammalian Species. 5 (5): 1–8. JSTOR 3503830. doi:10.2307/3503830.
  11. ↑ "camelopardalis". A Latin Dictionary, Perseus Digital Library. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  12. ↑ Bercovitch, Fred B.; Berry, Philip S. M.; Dagg, Anne; Deacon, Francois; Doherty, John B.; Lee, Derek E.; Mineur, Frédéric; Muller, Zoe; Ogden, Rob (2017-02-20). "How many species of giraffe are there?". Current Biology. 27 (4): R136–R137. ISSN 0960-9822. PMID 28222287. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2016.12.039.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Pellow, R. A. (2001). "Giraffe and Okapi". In MacDonald, D. The Encyclopedia of Mammals (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. pp. 520–27. ISBN 0-7607-1969-1.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Seymour, R. (2002) The taxonomic status of the giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis (L. 1758), PH.D Thesis
  15. 1 2 "Exhibits". Al Ain Zoo. 25 February 2003. Archived from the original on 2011-11-29. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  16. 1 2 "Nubian giraffe born in Al Ain zoo". UAE Interact. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 Hassanin, A.; Ropiquet, A.; Gourmand, B-L.; Chardonnet, B.; Rigoulet, J. (2007). "Mitochondrial DNA variability in Giraffa camelopardalis: consequences for taxonomy, phylogeography and conservation of giraffes in West and central Africa". Comptes Rendus Biologies. 330 (3): 173–83. PMID 17434121. doi:10.1016/j.crvi.2007.02.008.
  18. 1 2 "Giraffa". ISIS. 2010. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
  19. ↑ Fennessy, J. & Brenneman, R. (2010). "Giraffa camelopardalis ssp. rothschildi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
  20. ↑ Fennessy, J.; Brown, D. (2008). "Giraffa camelopardalis ssp. peralta". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
  21. ↑ Kingdon, J. (1988). East African Mammals: An Atlas of Evolution in Africa, Volume 3, Part B: Large Mammals. University Of Chicago Press. pp. 313–37. ISBN 0-226-43722-1.
  22. ↑ Estes, Richard (1992). "Giraffe and Okapi: Family Giraffidae". The Behavior Guide to African Mammals: including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, Primates. University of California Press. pp. 202–207. ISBN 0-520-08085-8 – via Google books.
  23. 1 2 Prothero, Donald R.; Schoch, Robert M. (2003). "Where the Deer and the Antelope Play". Horns, Tusks, and Flippers: The Evolution of Hoofed Mammals. Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 67–72. ISBN 0-8018-7135-2 – via Google Books.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Williams, Edgar (2010). Giraffe. Animal. London: Reaktion Books. ISBN 1-86189-764-2. OCLC 747603190.
  25. ↑ Lee, Derek E.; Kissui, Bernard M.; Kiwango, Yustina A.; Bond, Monica L. (December 2016). "Migratory herds of wildebeests and zebras indirectly affect calf survival of giraffes". Ecology and Evolution. 6 (23): 8402–11. ISSN 2045-7758. doi:10.1002/ece3.2561 Freely accessible – via Wiley Online Library.
  26. ↑ "Giraffe Species". Giraffe Conservation Foundation. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
  27. ↑ "The Dabous Giraffe rock art petrograph". The Bradshaw Foundation. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
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