Grévy's zebra

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Grévy's zebra[1]
Temporal range: Middle Pleistocene – Recent
↓
[2]
A Grévy's zebra at Buffalo Springs National Reserve.
CITES Appendix I (CITES)[4]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Perissodactyla
Family: Equidae
Genus: Equus
Subgenus: Hippotigris
Species:
E. grevyi
Binomial name
Equus grevyi
Grévy's zebra range
  native   introduced

Grévy's zebra (Equus grevyi), also known as the imperial zebra, is the largest living wild

equid and the most threatened of the three species of zebra, the other two being the plains zebra and the mountain zebra. Named after Jules Grévy, it is found in parts of Kenya and Ethiopia. Superficially, Grévy's zebras' physical features can help to identify it from the other zebra species; their overall appearance is slightly closer to that of a mule
, compared to the more "equine" (horse) appearance of the plains and mountain zebras. Compared to other zebra species, Grévy's are the tallest; they have mule-like, larger ears, and have the tightest stripes of all zebras. They have distinctively erect manes, and more slender snouts.

The Grévy's zebra live in semi-arid savanna, where they feed on grasses,

endangered. Its population has declined from 15,000 to 2,000 since the 1970s. In 2016, the population was reported to be "stable"; however, as of 2020, the wild numbers are still estimated at only around 2,250 animals, in part due to anthrax outbreaks in eastern Africa.[6]

Taxonomy and naming

The Grévy's zebra was first described by French naturalist Émile Oustalet in 1882. He named it after Jules Grévy, then president of France, who, in the 1880s, was given one by the government of Abyssinia. Traditionally, this species was classified in the subgenus Dolichohippus with plains zebra and mountain zebra in Hippotigris.[7] Groves and Bell (2004) place all three species in the subgenus Hippotigris.[8]

Fossils of zebra-like equids have been found throughout Africa and Asia in the Pliocene and Pleistocene deposits.[7] Notable examples include E. sanmeniensis from China, E. cautleyi from India, E. valeriani from central Asia and E. oldowayensis from East Africa.[7] The latter, in particular is very similar to the Grévy's zebra and may have been its ancestor.[7] The modern Grévy's zebra arose in the Middle Pleistocene.

sympatric with plains zebras, the two may gather in same herds[13] and fertile hybrids do occur.[14]

Description

From left to right: a cranium, a complete skeleton, a left forefoot frontal, and a left forefoot lateral from a Grévy's zebra

The Grévy's zebra is the largest of all wild equines. It is 2.5–2.75 m (8.2–9.0 ft) in head-body with a 55–75 cm (22–30 in) tail, and stands 1.45–1.6 m (4.8–5.2 ft) high at the withers. These zebras weigh 350–450 kg (770–990 lb).[15] Grévy's zebra differs from the other two zebras in its more primitive characteristics.[16]: 147  It is particularly mule-like in appearance; the head is large, long, and narrow with elongated nostril openings;[16]: 147  the ears are very large, rounded, and conical and the neck is short but thick.[17] The zebra's muzzle is ash-grey to black in colour with the lips having whiskers. The mane is tall and erect; juveniles have a mane that extends to the length of the back and shortens as they reach adulthood.[17]

As with all zebra species, the Grévy's zebra's pelage has a black and white striping pattern. The stripes are narrow and close-set, being broader on the neck, and they extend to the hooves.[17] The belly and the area around the base of the tail lack stripes and are just white in color, which is unique to the Grévy's zebra. Foals are born with brown and white striping, with the brown stripes darkening as they grow older.[17]

Range and ecology

Zebra in dense brush

The Grévy's zebra largely inhabits northern Kenya, with some isolated populations in Ethiopia.[16]: 147 [17] It was extirpated from Somalia and Djibouti and its status in South Sudan is uncertain.[3] It lives in Acacia-Commiphora bushlands and barren plains.[13] Ecologically, this species is intermediate between the arid-living African wild ass and the water-dependent plains zebra.[13][16]: 147  Lactating mares and non-territorial stallions use areas with green, short grass and medium, dense bush more often than non-lactating mares and territorial stallions.[18]

Grévy's zebras rely on

lactating.[21] During droughts, the zebras will dig water holes and defend them.[13] The Grévy's zebra's main predator is the lion, but adults can be hunted by spotted hyenas. African hunting dogs, cheetahs and leopards almost never attack adults, even in desperate times, but sometimes prey on young animals, although mares are fiercely protective of their young.[17] In addition, they are susceptible to various gastro-intestinal parasites, notably of the genus Trichostrongylus.[22]

Behaviour and life history

Herd of zebras

Adult stallions mostly live in territories during the wet seasons but some may stay in them year round if there's enough water left.[13] Stallions that are unable to establish territories are free-ranging[16]: 151  and are known as bachelors. Mares, young and non-territorial stallions wander through large home ranges. The mares will wander from territory to territory preferring the ones with the highest-quality food and water sources.[23] Up to nine stallions may compete for a mare outside of a territory.[17] Territorial stallions will tolerate other stallions who wander in their territory. However, when an oestrous mare is present the territorial stallion keeps other stallions at bay.[13][16]: 151  Non-territorial stallions might avoid territorial ones because of harassment.[18] When mares are not around, a territorial stallion will seek the company of other stallions. The stallion shows his dominance with an arched neck and a high-stepping gait and the least dominant stallions submit by extending their tail, lowering their heads and nuzzling their superior's chest or groin.[16]: 151 

Zebras produce numerous sounds and vocalisations. When alarmed, they produce deep, hoarse grunts. Whistles and squeals are also made when alarmed, during fights, when scared or in pain. Snorts may be produced when scared or as a warning. A stallion will bray in defense of his territory, when driving mares, or keeping other stallions at bay. Barks may be made during copulation and distressed foals will squeal.

hippo's grunt combined with a donkey's wheeze".[13] To get rid of flies or parasites, they roll in dust, water or mud or, in the case of flies, they twitch their skin. They also rub against trees, rocks and other objects to get rid of irritations such as itchy skin, hair or parasites.[17] Although Grévy's zebras do not perform mutual grooming, they do sometimes rub against a conspecific.[17]

Reproduction

Zebra foal resting

Grévy's zebras can mate and give birth year round, but most mating takes place in the early rainy seasons and births mostly take place in August or September after the long rains.

oestrous mare may visit as many as four territories a day[23] and will mate with the stallions in them. Among territorial stallions, the most dominant ones control territories near water sources, which mostly attract mares with dependant foals,[24] while more subordinate stallions control territories away from water with greater amounts of vegetation, which mostly attract mares without dependant foals.[24]

Zebra mare near younger zebras

The resident stallions of territories will try to subdue the entering mares with dominance rituals and then continue with courtship and copulation.

testicles and can ejaculate a large amount of semen to replace the sperm of other males.[23] This is a useful adaptation for a species whose mares mate polyandrously. Bachelors or outside territorial stallions sometimes "sneak" copulation of mares in another stallion's territory.[23] While mare associations with individual stallions are brief and mating is promiscuous, mares who have just given birth will reside with one stallion for long periods and mate exclusively with that stallion.[23] Lactating females are harassed by stallions more often than non-lactating ones and thus associating with one male and his territory provides an advantage as he will guard against other males.[25]

Gestation of the Grévy's zebra normally lasts 390 days,[17] with a single foal being born. A newborn zebra will follow anything that moves, so new mothers prevent other mares from approaching their foals while imprinting their own striping pattern, scent and vocalisation on them.[17] Mares with young foals may gather into small groups.[21] Mares may leave their foals in "kindergartens" while searching for water.[21] The foals will not hide, so they can be vulnerable to predators.[13] However, kindergartens tend to be protected by an adult, usually a territorial stallion.[21] A mare with a foal stays with one dominant territorial stallion who has exclusive mating rights to her. While the foal may not be his, the stallion will look after it to ensure that the mare stays in his territory.[26] To adapt to a semi-arid environment, Grévy's zebra foals have longer nursing intervals and wait until they are three months old before they start drinking water.[21] Although offspring become less dependent on their mothers after half a year, associations with them continue for up to three years.[13]

Relationship with humans

Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes
in 1882

The Grévy's zebra was known to the Europeans in

circuses.[7] It was subsequently forgotten in the Western world for a thousand years.[7] In the seventeenth century, the king of Shoa (now central Ethiopia) exported two zebras; one to the Sultan of Turkey and another to the Dutch governor of Jakarta.[7] A century later, in 1882, the government of Abyssinia sent one to French president Jules Grévy. It was at that time that the animal was recognised as its own species and named in Grévy's honour.[7] Grévy's zebra appears on the Eritrean 25-cent coin.[27]

Status and conservation

Grevy's zebras in Samburu National Reserve

The Grévy's zebra is considered

endangered.[3] Its population was estimated to be 15,000 in the 1970s and by the early 21st century the population was lower than 3,500, a 75% decline.[28]: 11  In 2008 it was estimated that there are less than 2,500 Grévy's zebras still living in the wild, further declining to fewer than 2,000 mature individuals in 2016. Nonetheless, the Grévy's zebra population trend was considered stable as of 2016.[3]

There are also an estimated 600 Grévy's zebras in captivity.[28]: 20  Captive herds have been known to thrive, like at White Oak Conservation in Yulee, Florida, United States, where more than 70 foals have been born. There, research is underway in partnership with the Conservation Centers for Species Survival on semen collection and freezing and on artificial insemination.[29]

The Grévy's zebra is legally protected in Ethiopia. In Kenya, it is protected by the hunting ban of 1977. In the past, Grévy's zebras were threatened mainly by hunting for their skins which fetched a high price on the world market. However, hunting has declined and the main threat to the zebra is habitat loss and competition with livestock. Cattle gather around watering holes and the Grévy's zebras are fenced from those areas.

Chelbi Sanctuary. In Kenya, important protected areas include the Buffalo Springs, Samburu and Shaba National Reserves and the private and community land wildlife conservancies in Isiolo, Samburu and the Laikipia Plateau.[3]

The mesquite plant was introduced into Ethiopia around 1997 and is endangering the zebra's food supply. An invasive species, it is replacing the two grass species, Cenchrus ciliaris and Chrysopogon plumulosus, which the zebras eat for most of their food.[30][31]

References

  1. OCLC 62265494
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    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T7950A89624491.en
    . Retrieved 12 November 2021. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is endangered.
  4. ^ "Appendices". CITES. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  5. ^ Oustalet, E. (1882). "Une nouvelle espèce de Zèbre. Le Zèbre de Grévy (Equus revyi)". La Nature. 10 (470): 12–14.
  6. ^ "Six endangered Grevy's Zebra foals make their debut at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park". San Diego Zoo Global. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  7. ^
    ISBN 978-0-801-87135-1
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  8. doi:10.1078/1616-5047-00133
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  11. ^ Forstén, Ann (1992). "Mitochondrial‐DNA timetable and the evolution of Equus: of molecular and paleontological evidence" (PDF). Annales Zoologici Fennici. 28: 301–309.
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    ISBN 978-0-520-08085-0
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  15. ^ Huffman, B. "Grevy's zebra". Ultimate Ungulate.
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    JSTOR 3504222
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    S2CID 12625704
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  19. JSTOR 2845470
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  20. ^ Youth, H. (2004). "Thin Stripes on a Thin Line". Zoogoer. 33 (November/December 2004). Archived from the original on 26 October 2005.
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  27. ^ "25 Cents, Eritrea". en.numista.com.
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  29. ^ "Grevy's Zebra". Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  30. ^ Platt, John R. "Devil Tree Threatens the World's Rarest Zebras". Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  31. S2CID 83558974
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External links

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