Genetic analysis uncovers 4 species of giraffe, not just 1
Published: Thursday, September 8, 2016 - 14:06 in Biology & Nature
Up until now, scientists had only recognized a single species of giraffe made up of several subspecies. But, according to the most inclusive genetic analysis of giraffe relationships to date, giraffes actually aren't one species, but four. For comparison, the genetic differences among giraffe species are at least as great as those between polar and brown bears. The unexpected findings reported in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on September 8 highlight the urgent need for further study of the four genetically isolated species and for greater conservation efforts for the world's tallest mammal, the researchers say.
http://esciencenews.com/articles/2016/09/08/genetic.analysis.uncovers.4.species.giraffe.not.just.1
