Prior to september 8, 2016, due to them being incompletely explored, and much of their biology being poorly understood, giraffes were thought to be one species with four subspecies. These subspecies were separated by the animal's coat pattern, ossicone structure (horn) and their location. However new research into the giraffes DNA shows us that there are, “four distinct giraffe species”. Which are 1) southern giraffe (Giraffa giraffa), 2) masai giraffe (G. tippelskirchi. 3) reticulated giraffe (G. reticulata). 4) Northern giraffe (G. camelopardalis).
This new classification is based on more than a hundred skin biopsies, which were collected by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation and their partners. The samples were taken. from many different geometric locations, including the rare Nubian giraffe. The samples were then sent to the Jane’s research group at the senckenberg biodiversity center. Where this new classification, replaced the one. Which focused on the atteriance of these giraffes.
This new information about these wonderful animals, has already starting to change the life of the creatures native to africa, and those around them. Why? How? Well it comes after the separation of the types of giraffes that live. That showed us that the numbers alive of giraffes were not as great as once thought. Witch put many of these creatures on the endangered species list. Not only is this discovery protecting giraffes in africa, it is also affecting those that hunt, and those that are interested in information about the lives of the many kinds of giraffes.
As a pre-veterinary student, I try to stay current with as much of the new studies, and information that i can. I found these story to be quite interesting, simply because giraffes seem to be the “forgotten” animal a lot of the time. To see that new information has been found to create a better understanding of these animals, is amazing to me. Advances are always occurring in relation to animal sciences. I can't wait to see how much more they will discover within the giraffes in the future. Why? Because, I myself didn't even realize there was four subspecies within a category of giraffes, until now.
- Siera B.
This is a really interesting article! I am excited to start learning about different animal species. It is amazing that they are just finding this out, and that there is testing that can prove which species are which. How exactly does this testing work?
ReplyDeleteBridget C.
So, they were doing skin biopsy on over a hundred giraffe's. Looking at the giraffe's entire genome,(at multiple nuclear genes). to see the differences in their DNA. Hope that helps!
DeleteSiera B.
What kind of numbers are we talking about? What is their current designation?
ReplyDeleteA. WArdell
I'm not exactly sure as to what your asking, but here's a shoot. the skin biopsy test were done on more than a hundred giraffe's. witch then brock the idea on one species to four. all of this was done in Africa in the giraffes native territory. of the four newly classified species, its expected that less than four-hundred west African giraffe's remain in the wild. to put into perspective, it says that "its estimated that 450,000 elephants are in the wild.( as they are on the endangered species list as well.) hope that help, if not please let me know!
DeleteSiera B.
with designation, i meant their category on the conservation scale.
DeleteA-WArdell
this is very interesting, I wonder how they didn't realize there were more subspecies when they decided on the original four groups. it is interesting how we need to continue reviewing things to catch what we missed the first time. K.F.
ReplyDeleteWith today's topic om evolution, and the concepts used to classify what is a species, I am still intrigue with the different numbers of "species" out there. My question is are they only using the Phylogentic concept to classify the species or was there also discussions on classifying using the Biological, or ecological concept? After today's class I feel that all of the different concepts should be used together and then separate all of the species down to subspecies. That way there is more of a universal understanding on the classification of species. -D.D.
ReplyDeleteDid any other tests go into discovering these four separate giraffe species? I am asking this because I know normally knew classifications take a while to occur and a lot of research. A.M
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this article because I think giraffes can be a forgotten animal sometimes as well. I find it interesting that they had to do so many skin biopsies to discover and protect the giraffes. I am glad giraffes are off the endangered species list and am curious to find out more about giraffes. A.M
ReplyDeleteWill there be more giraffes in zoos now that giraffes are off the endangered species list. I am asking this because I know laws are getting stricter with putting animals in zoo. A.M
ReplyDeleteVery cool article. Has there been any further study into how giraffes came to be four different species? I would love the info of how natural selection and environment changes affected these giraffes.
ReplyDeleteCDMartin
Have they done any research or tests to find the common ancestor of the species? It would be interesting to know how far back they go and how closely realted they are. J. RYAN
ReplyDeleteI love giraffes! But I too had no idea about the four subspecies of giraffes. It would be interesting to see the common ancestor among these four subspecies. I also learned from this that giraffes are on the endangered species list...how sad.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe that giraffes have been considered only one species until September 8, 2016. I guess since there is so many recorded species of many animals that I assumed giraffes would be no different. It is kind of amazing to think that there is still things that we consider a simple answer that can be proven differently. It is also great that this discovery happened recently so we can start to take the necessary steps to extend and protect the giraffe species.
ReplyDelete-Summer R.