Possible taxonomic significance of a caudal mane in Giraffa

(writing in progress)

The existence of a caudal mane – something I first noticed while dissecting giraffes in the ‘eighties in Kenya - does not seem to be acknowledged in the literature, even today.

However, its existence is

remarkable in its own right, and
of possible taxonomic significance within the genus.

Many photos show the existence of a caudal mane in Giraffa tippelskirchi. This is perhaps most noticeable in infants. However, it remains in adult females.

The following is possibly the clearest illustration available on the Web: https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-young-kenyan-giraffe-in-the-wide-open-plains-of-the-serengeti-in-the-23826900.html?imageid=F78E4FE7-8E63-4281-A5CD-57FB3C26FE21&p=17446&pn=5&searchId=c0f0098fc9003bb0b52e4512cf828bb9&searchtype=0.

Giraffa giraffa is so closely related to G. tippelskirchi that the two are possibly the same species. However, the caudal mane is so poorly-developed in G. giraffa that it is hardly visible.

The difference between G. tippelskirchi and G. giraffa, w.r.t. the caudal mane, is paralleled by the occipital horn-tufts (https://www.alamy.com/portrait-of-giraffe-against-blue-sky-in-maasai-mara-image243569073.html?imageid=03FBCA44-8D47-4955-AFCC-C169A4AAB466&p=296441&pn=6&searchId=add6a0dd1f4d3cd73b2d8fa8f8cde388&searchtype=0).

The caudal mane is poorly-developed in Giraffa camelopardalis, in contrast to G. tippelskirchi - despite the proximity of the distributions in Kenya.

I have yet to see any evidence of a caudal mane in Giraffa reticulata.

By the way, please note that the spots on the stalk of the tail are asymmetrical about the mid-line, i.e. comparing left to right.

GIRAFFA TIPPELSKIRCHI:

https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/side-shot-of-a-baby-giraffe-that-is-looking-to-the-royalty-free-image/1127256040?adppopup=true
https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/masai-giraffe-beside-tree-kenya-royalty-free-image/200329033-001?adppopup=true
https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/mother-masai-giraffe-protecting-baby-newly-born-calf-its-nairobi-national-park-kenya-skyline-nairobi-seen-83752030.jpg
https://www.alamy.com/young-masai-giraffe-standing-in-tall-grass-image416568623.html?imageid=6033208D-1B18-430D-A265-3938DB118AE7&p=238399&pn=3&searchId=caa74ccef1f8189245f340cd115f167f&searchtype=0
http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/masai-giraffe-on-plain-masai-mara-national-reserve-kenya-picture-id108120282?s=170667a
http://c8.alamy.com/comp/AN1N37/masai-giraffe-giraffa-camelopardalis-tail-AN1N37.jpg
http://l450s.alamy.com/450e/d1c38g/rear-and-tail-of-masai-giraffe-d1c38g.jpg
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/10/09/1412845937453_wps_49_PIC_BY_ANDREAS_KNAUSENBER.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/94/74/e7/9474e783897293e5d9b85d465fb3919a.jpg
https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/00/18/41/ec/giraffe.jpg
http://assets.inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2014/12/Mama-and-Baby-Giraffe.jpg
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-masai-giraffes-giraffa-camelopardalis-tippelskirchi-adult-with-baby-29930312.html?imageid=3B2DC4B0-A8B3-41D6-B1D3-7EB423F5E8D5&p=89467&pn=2&searchId=c635d02b91f0e891b25391b4c54b4f1b&searchtype=0
http://image.cleveland.com/home/cleve-media/width620/img/plain_dealer_metro/photo/15305525-mmmain.jpg