Genetic data from extant donkeys (Equus asinus) have revealed two distinct mitochondrial DNA haplogroups, suggestive of two separate domestication events in northeast Africa about 5000 years ago. Without distinct phylogeographic structure in domestic donkey haplogroups and with little information on the genetic makeup of the ancestral African wild ass, however, it has been difficult to identify wild ancestors and geographical origins for the domestic mitochondrial clades. Our analysis of ancient archaeological and historic museum samples provides the first genetic information on the historic Nubian wild ass (Equus africanus africanus), Somali wild ass (Equus africanus somaliensis) and ancient donkey. The results demonstrate that the Nubian wild ass was an ancestor of the first donkey haplogroup. In contrast, the Somali wild ass has considerable mitochondrial divergence from the Nubian wild ass and domestic donkeys. These findings resolve the long-standing issue of the role of the Nubian wild ass in the domestication of the donkey, but raise new questions regarding the second ancestor for the donkey. Our results illustrate the complexity of animal domestication, and have conservation implications for critically endangered Nubian and Somali wild ass.

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Habitat loss due to human-induced factors is intensifying and is a critical threat to most endangered species. Grevy's zebra Equus grevyi is one of the most endangered mammals in the world. Human encroachment on its natural habitat and poaching are the greatest threats to this species' survival in the wild. Grevy's zebra only occur within a few isolated areas in Ethiopia and Kenya. Effective conservation interventions based on scientific information are needed to safeguard this species from extinction. Wildlife managers need to identify the extent of the remaining suitable habitat and achieve a better understanding of human and wildlife interactions if they are to facilitate appropriate conservation strategies. The present study employed the maximum entropy model (Maxent), a species distribution modeling approach, to determine the geographic extent of habitat and seasonal distribution of Grevy's zebra in the Alledeghi Wildlife Reserve, Ethiopia, and to use this information to determine the optimum demarcation of conservation boundaries. Field surveys were conducted 4 times annually, twice during the wet season and twice during the dry season, for 2 yr. Field data and predictor variables were separated into 2 seasons, and models were generated for each season independently. Seasonal maximum temperatures, distance to human settlements and slope were the best predictors for both the dry and wet seasons. Evaluations of model performances were high, with AUC (area under the receiver operating curve) values of 0.96 and 0.97 for the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Our results will be critical for modifying the existing boundaries of the Alledeghi Wildlife Reserve and directing conservation strategies for the Grevy's zebra.

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The African wild ass (Equus africanus) is the most endangered wild equid in the world and is listed as a Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red list. Today, only relict populations remain in Ethiopia and Eritrea. The current Ethiopian population persists in the Danakil Desert at a very low density. Wildlife managers need to identify the extent of the remaining suitable habitat and understand human-wildlife interactions for appropriate conservation strategies. This study employed the maximum entropy model (Maxent) to determine suitable habitat and seasonal distribution of African wild ass in the Danakil Desert of Ethiopia. Field surveys were conducted four times annually, twice during the wet season and twice during the dry season, for 2 years. Field data and predictor variables were separated into the dry and wet seasons, and models were generated for each season independently. Distance from water, distance from settlements, herbaceous cover and slope were the best predictors of suitable habitat for both dry and wet seasons. Evaluations of model performances were high with area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.94 and 0.95 for the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Our results will be critical for identifying the available suitable habitat that should be conserved to safeguard this species from extinction. du mod ele furent elev ees, avec des valeurs ASC de 0,94 et 0,95 respectivement pour les saisons s eches et les saisons des pluies. Nos r esultats seront critiques pour identifier l'habitat propice disponible qu'il faudrait pr eserver pour sauver cette esp ece de l'extinction.