In the past, giraffes were considered one species (Giraffa camelopardalis), which were generally divided into nine subspecies. The basis for distinguishing these subspecies is mainly external characteristics such as patterns (more reading: Teach you to distinguish the 9 subspecies of giraffe). A recent research paper in "Current Biology" pointed out that the old view of the past has been completely broken: judging from genetic analysis data, giraffes that look similar actually belong to four different species. species[1].
The study believes that there are actually four species of giraffes that appear to be almost the same. Picture from: cell.com
This time, researchers from the Senckenberg Center for Biodiversity and Climate Research and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation conducted a large-scale collection and analysis of giraffe genetic samples. They spent several years collecting skin biopsy samples from more than a hundred individuals from populations in different parts of Africa, covering all known giraffe subspecies.
In the laboratory, the researchers analyzed the nuclear genes and mitochondrial genes of these samples and found that although they looked similar, these giraffes actually belonged to four genetically distinct clusters. . The researchers believe that giraffes should be considered four separate species: southern giraffe (Giraffa giraffa), Masai giraffe (G. tippelskirchi), reticulated giraffe (G. reticulata), and Northern giraffe (G. camelopardalis). The last common ancestor of these giraffe species can be traced back to 400,000 to 2 million years ago, and there is no evidence of genetic exchange between them.
Northern Giraffe. Picture from: JULIAN FENNESSY (GCF)
The analysis results also show that some giraffe subspecies previously classified are actually not genetically distinguishable from each other, and they can be grouped together: Rothschild's giraffe can be combined with Nubian giraffe Giraffe merge, Zambian giraffe can also be merged into Masai giraffe.
So, what is the use of knowing how many species of giraffe there are? The answer is that this information can help better develop protective measures. Now, giraffes, considered one species, are classified as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List. If they are actually four different species, then some of these species are actually as threatened as Severely underestimated. Understanding the genetic and taxonomic relationships between giraffes can help conservation biologists take timely and more targeted measures to protect these beautiful creatures about which we still know very little.