Extensive population genetic structure in the giraffe

Brown, David M.; Brenneman, Rick A.; Koepfli, Klaus Peter; Pollinger, John P.; Milá, Borja; Georgiadis, Nicholas J.; Louis, Edward E.; Grether, Gregory F.; Jacobs, David K.; Wayne, Robert K.

doi:10.1186/1741-7007-5-57

Cited by 182 publications

(248 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…Previous publications have suggested that S. c. molybdophanes might be a distinct species (Freitag and Robinson 1993;Lewis and Pomeroy 1989;Brown et al 1982). The high levels of differentiation between S. c. molybdophanes and the other subspecies, in both mtDNA and microsatellite analysis, support this assertion.…”

Section: Subspecies Classification and Taxonomy Implicationssupporting

confidence: 73%

“…We did not attempt to date diversification among the ostrich clades because of the uncertainty of rate estimates for mtDNA-CR (Ruokonen and Kvist, 2002), and no appropriate calibration point being available for ostriches. The abrupt disjunction in range boundary and large genetic divergence between S. c. molybdophanes and S. c. massaicus is seen between subspecies of other vertebrates from the same area (Faulkes et al 2004;Brown et al 2007). Such disjunctions are attributed to past paleoclimatic events initially separating the populations, thus leading to the evolution of differences in behavior, habitat preference, or other isolating mechanisms.…”

Section: Historical Causes Of Diversificationmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…This type of eastern/southern split is also seen in many mammal species, including carnivores (Rohland et al 2005;Freeman et al 2001;Dubach et al 2005;Barnett et al 2006), and large ungulates (Flagstad et al 2001;Moodley and Bruford 2007;Muwanika et al 2003;Arctander et al 1999;Brown et al 2007).…”

Section: Historical Causes Of Diversificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Phylogeographic analysis of nuclear and mtDNA supports subspecies designations in the ostrich (Struthio camelus)

et al. 2010

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We investigated the phylogeography and subspecies classification of the ostrich (Struthio camelus) by assessing patterns of variation in mitochondrial DNA control region (mtDNA-CR) sequence and across fourteen nuclear microsatellite loci. The current consensus taxonomy of S. camelus names five subspecies based on morphology, geographic range, mtDNA restriction fragment length polymorphism and mtDNA-CR sequence analysis: S. c. camelus, S. c. syriacus, S. c. molybdephanes, S. c. massaicus and S. c. australis. We expanded a previous mtDNA dataset from 18 individual mtDNA-CR sequences to 123 sequences, including sequences from all five subspecies. Importantly, these additional sequences included 43 novel sequences of the red-necked ostrich, S. c. camelus, obtained from birds from Niger. Phylogeographic reconstruction of these sequences matches previous results, with three well-supported clades containing S. c. camelus/syriacus, S. c. molybdophanes, and S. c. massaicus/australis, respectively. The 14 microsatellite loci assessed for 119 individuals of four subspecies (all but S. c. syriacus) showed considerable variation, with an average of 13.4 (±2.0) alleles per locus and a mean observed heterozygosity of 55.7 (±5.3)%. These data revealed high levels of variation within most subspecies, and a structure analysis revealed strong separation between each of the four subspecies. The level of divergence across both marker types suggests the consideration of separate species status for S. c. molybdophanes, and perhaps also for S. c. camelus/syriacus. Both the mtDNA-CR and microsatellite analyzes also suggest that there has been no recent hybridization between the subspecies. These findings are of importance for management of the highly endangered red-necked subspecies (S. c. camelus) and may warrant its placement onto the IUCN red list of threatened animals.

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Section: Subspecies Classification and Taxonomy Implicationssupporting

confidence: 73%

Section: Historical Causes Of Diversificationmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Phylogeographic analysis of nuclear and mtDNA supports subspecies designations in the ostrich (Struthio camelus)

et al. 2010

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“…data from the international giraffe database). The population of the West African giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis peralta, a genetically unique subspecies represented only by this population, has also decreased (Brown et al, 2007;Hassanin et al, 2007).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Higher than expected growth rate of the Endangered West African giraffeGiraffa camelopardalis peralta: a successful human–wildlife cohabitation

Suraud

Fennessy²,

Bonnaud

et al. 2012

Oryx

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The West African giraffe is a genetically unique population represented only by the subspecies Giraffa camelopardalis peralta, categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. These giraffes live outside protected areas, without natural predators and share their habitat with local people and their livestock. This study provides demographic data on this poorly studied megaherbivore and documents its recovery. We analysed the results of photo-identification censuses from 1996 to 1999 (count data) and from 2005 to 2008 (count and demographic data). From 1996 to 1999 the annual growth rate was c. 19% because of an unbalanced population structure after a period of severe poaching. From 2005 to 2008 an annual growth rate of c. 12-13% was estimated from both count data and demographic parameters. This value fits with the maximum growth rate calculated for a browser species based on the allometric relationship linking growth rate and body mass. During the period 2005-2008 adult and subadult females had a constant survival rate of 0.94 and a constant recapture rate of 0.97. Annual calf survival rate was 1. Observed sex ratio at birth was 0.57 and mean reproductive success was 0.257. Generation time was estimated to be 9.66 years. This spectacular population growth was mostly attributed to the absence of predators and the ongoing monitoring to limit illegal hunting.

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“…The nine currently differentiated species of Giraffidae (Brown et al 2007, Groves & Grubb 2011) also stand in contrast to the overall number of crown pecoran species. The giraffe (Giraffa spp.…”

Section: Giraffidae Crown Pecora and Ruminant Gestation Periodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Old World Ruminant Morphophysiology, Life History, and Fossil Record: Exploring Key Innovations of a Diversification Sequence

Clauss

Rößner

2014

Annales Zoologici Fennici

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The omasum of pecoran ruminants (which is absent in tragulids) and shorter gestation periods in non-giraffid crown pecorans (as opposed to giraffids) could represent cases of key innovations that caused disparity in species diversity in extant ruminants. Literature suggests that the different ruminant groups inhabited similar niche spectra at different times, supporting the 'increased fitness' interpretation where a key innovation does not mainly open new niches, but allows more efficient use of existing ones. In this respect, we explored data on fossil species diversity of Afro-Eurasian ruminants from the Neogene and Quaternary. Tragulid and giraffid diversity first increased during the Early/Middle Miocene with subsequent declines, whereas bovid and cervid diversity increased distinctively. Our resulting narrative, combining digestive physiology, life history and the fossil record, thus provides an explanation for the sequence of diversity patterns in Old-World ruminants.

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Extensive population genetic structure in the giraffe

Cited by 182 publications

References 61 publications

Phylogeographic analysis of nuclear and mtDNA supports subspecies designations in the ostrich (Struthio camelus)

Phylogeographic analysis of nuclear and mtDNA supports subspecies designations in the ostrich (Struthio camelus)

Higher than expected growth rate of the Endangered West African giraffeGiraffa camelopardalis peralta: a successful human–wildlife cohabitation

Old World Ruminant Morphophysiology, Life History, and Fossil Record: Exploring Key Innovations of a Diversification Sequence

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