Washington
Scientists unveiled a comprehensive genetic analysis of giraffes using DNA from 190 of the towering herbivores from across their range in Africa. The genetic data showed that four separate species of giraffes that do not interbreed in the wild inhabit various parts of the continent.
Beyond genetics, the researchers identified differences among the four species including body shape, coloration and coat patterns. Genetic differences among them were comparable to those between polar bears and brown bears, said geneticist Axel Janke in Germany. Until now, scientists had recognized a single species, with the scientific name giraffa camelopardalis.
The study identified the four separate species as: the southern giraffe (giraffa giraffa), with a population of 52,000; the Masai giraffe (giraffa tippelskirchi), with 32,500; the reticulated giraffe (giraffa reticulata), with 8,700; and the northern giraffe (giraffa camelopardalis), with 4,750.
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