DNA Reveals Four Giraffe Species, Not Just One

One giraffe has become four, taxonomically speaking, with new research determining through genetic analysis that there are more species of the majestic long-necked animal than previously thought.

Scientists from Goethe University and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF), writing in the journal Current Biology, argue that the lone species of giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis, and its nine recognized subspecies need to be reshuffled.

Over the last decade, the researchers gathered skin biopsies from more than 100 giraffes, from among all known subspecies. Later DNA analysis of the samples revealed some genetic surprises.

"We found that there are not only one but at least four genetically highly distinct groups of giraffe, which apparently do not mate with each other in the wild," said study co-author and Goethe University professor Axel Janke, in a statement.

"Consequently," he said, "giraffe should be recognized as four distinct species despite their similar appearance."

Here's a quick look at how the new giraffe scorecard should look, Janke and his team suggest:

Giraffa camelopardalis (a.k.a., the Northern giraffe) remains its own species, with three distinct subspecies: the Nubian giraffe (G. c. camelopardalis), the West African giraffe (G. c. peralta) and the Kordofan giraffe (G. c. antiquorum)

The new Southern giraffe (Giraffa giraffa) becomes its own species, with two subspecies beneath it: the Angolan giraffe (G. g. angolensis) and the South African giraffe (G. g. giraffa).

The Masai giraffe (G. tippelskirchi) becomes a distinct species.

The Reticulated giraffe (G. reticulata) also is a new species.

The former subspecies Rothschild's giraffe (G. c. rothschildi) "disappears" in the Nubian giraffe subspecies, as the Rothschild's and the Nubian turned out to be genetic matches. Former subspecies the Thornicroft's giraffe (G. c. thornicrofti), meanwhile, appeared the same as the Masai giraffe (G. c. tippelskirchi).

Read more at Discovery News