Abstract
Individual-based studies where animals are monitored through space and time enable explorations of ecology, demography, evolutionary biology, movements, and behavior. Here, we review 70 years of research on an endangered African herbivore, the giraffe, based on individual spot pattern recognition, and profile an example of a long-term photographic mark–recapture study of Masai giraffes in Tanzania. We illustrate how individual-based data can be used to examine the fitness consequences (variation in survival and reproduction) of extrinsic environmental factors or intrinsic traits in an evolutionary ecology framework. These data also allow the study of social structure, space use, life histories, and health. The giraffe offers an excellent opportunity to study dynamics of an ungulate species with a highly fission–fusion social system using spot pattern recognition.
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Notes
The IUCN SSC Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group (GOSG) currently recognizes a single species, Giraffa camelopardalis, and nine subspecies. Genetic analyses have indicated three (Petzold and Hassanin 2020; Petzold et al. 2020), four (Fennessey et al. 2016; Coimbra et al. 2021), and six (Brown et al. 2007) species of giraffes and the GOSG suggests that a taxonomic reassessment might be in order. To avoid confusion, here we continue to use the currently recognized subspecies as presented on the IUCN Red List: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/9194/136266699#taxonomy.
Active encounter surveys actively seek individuals as opposed to passively collecting data from box traps, camera traps, acoustic sensors, etc.
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Acknowledgements
The Masai Giraffe Project was conducted with permission from the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology, Tanzania National Parks, the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, African Wildlife Foundation and Manyara Ranch Conservancy, and Tanzania Wildlife Authority. Long-term funding for the Masai Giraffe Project was provided by the Sacramento Zoological Society, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Tierpark Berlin and Zoo Berlin, Tulsa Zoo, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Zoo Miami, GreaterGood.org Project Peril, and Save the Giraffes. We thank Asilia Africa, &Beyond, Nomad Tanzania, and Tarangire Safari Lodge for logistical support. We would especially like to acknowledge the pioneer of giraffe research in Africa, Dr. Anne Innis Dagg, on whose shoulders we all stand.
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Lee, D.E., Lohay, G.G., Cavener, D.R. et al. Using spot pattern recognition to examine population biology, evolutionary ecology, sociality, and movements of giraffes: a 70-year retrospective. Mamm Biol 102, 1055–1071 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42991-022-00261-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42991-022-00261-3