The diet selection, habitat preferences and spatial ecology of relocated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Old records and historic eyewitness accounts of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) in the Kalahari, led to the decision by park management to reintroduce giraffe in 1991. Twenty years ago (1991) the translocation of 8 giraffe from the Etosha National Park took place to an area in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park which there is limited information as […]
Matrilineal population structure and distribution of the Angolan giraffe the Namib desert and beyond
The distribution maps of giraffe (Giraffa) subspecies in southern Africa are based on historical assumptions, yet some populations have likely been misidentified, hindering effective conservation efforts. Particularly, the populations in Zimbabwe are poorly studied, and translocations, such as the 1991 movement of giraffe from Namibia’s Etosha National Park to mitigate the human-induced decline of Namibia’s […]
The giraffe’s neck: another icon of evolution falls
The giraffe is a major problem for Darwinism for many reasons. No evidence exists in the fossil record for giraffe evolution, nor are evolutionists able to explain why the giraffe’s neck evolved. The most common Darwinian explanation for giraffe neck evolution—the advantage a long neck gave in reaching leaves high in trees for food—is now […]
Seeing spots: quantifying mother-offspring similarity and assessing fitness consequences of coat pattern traits in a wild population of giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis)
Polymorphic phenotypes of mammalian coat coloration have been important to the study of genetics and evolution, but less is known about the inheritance and fitness consequences of individual variation in complex coat pattern traits such as spots and stripes. Giraffe coat markings are highly complex and variable and it has been hypothesized that variation in […]
Giraffe genome sequence reveals clues to its unique morphology and physiology
The origins of giraffe’s imposing stature and associated cardiovascular adaptations are unknown. Okapi, which lacks these unique features, is giraffe’s closest relative and provides a useful comparison, to identify genetic variation underlying giraffe’s long neck and cardiovascular system. The genomes of giraffe and okapi were sequenced, and through comparative analyses genes and pathways were identified […]
Fossil evidence and stages of elongation of the Giraffa camelopardalis neck
Several evolutionary theories have been proposed to explain the adaptation of the long giraffe neck; however, few studies examine the fossil cervical vertebrae. We incorporate extinct giraffids, and the okapi and giraffe cervical vertebral specimens in a comprehensive analysis of the anatomy and elongation of the neck. We establish and evaluate 20 character states that […]
How giraffes prevent oedema
An upright giraffe, by analogy with humans, ought to suffer massive oedema in its feet; moreover, when it lowers its head to drink, the blood should rush down into it and be unable to flow up again. New pressure measurements reported on page 59 of this issue by Hargens et al. Show why neither of […]
Giraffe Thermoregulation: a review
The ability to maintain a relatively constant body temperature is central to the survival of mammals. Giraffes are found in relatively hot rather than cold environments, have a body temperature of 38.5 ± 0.5°C, and must have evolved appropriate thermoregulatory mechanisms to maintain this temperature and to survive in their chosen habitats. Their thermoregulation depends […]
Gravitational haemodynamics and oedema prevention in the giraffe
Because it is so tall, the giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis, provides an important animal model for investigating adaptive mechanisms to orthostatic (gravitational) pressure changes. Previous physiological studies of the giraffe have concentrated on arterial blood pressures in the heart and neck. Briefly, these investigations revealed that arterial pressure near the giraffe heart is about twice that […]
Scaling of the Appendicular Skeleton of the Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)
Giraffes have remarkably long and slender limb bones, but it is unknown how they grow with regard to body mass, sex, and neck length. In this study, we measured the length, mediolateral (ML) diameter, craniocaudal (CC) diameter and circumference of the humerus, radius, metacarpus, femur, tibia, and metatarsus in 10 fetuses, 21 females, and 23 […]