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Species definitions and conservation: a review and case studies from African mammals

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Abstract

The nature of species, especially as applied to large mammals, is of major concern in conservation. Here, we briefly comment on recent thinking in alpha taxonomy, and assert that species are in essence evolutionary lineages, and that the most effective way of recognising them is by their diagnosability, i.e. the so-called Phylogenetic Species Concept. We further assert that the amount of genetic distance is not a relevant datum for distinguishing species, and that the ability to interbreed is not relevant. We consider a few case studies, especially that of the Northern White Rhinoceros Ceratotherium cottoni, and also species in Loxodonta, Giraffa and Oreotragus.

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Acknowledgements

PJT acknowledges the support of the University of Venda, the National Research Foundation and the Department of Science and Technology under the South African Research Chair Initiative (SARChI) on Biodiversity Value and Change within the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve hosted at University of Venda and co-hosted by the Centre for Invasion Biology at University of Stellenbosch.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Archaeology & Anthropology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia

    Colin P. Groves

  2. Geoecodynamics Research Hub, c/o Department of Earth Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1 Matieland, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa

    F. P. D. Cotterill

  3. Società Italiana per la Storia della Fauna “G. Altobello”, Viale Liegi 48A, 00198, Rome, Italy

    Spartaco Gippoliti

  4. Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic

    Jan Robovský

  5. Gene Bank of Primates, Primate Genetics Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077, Göttingen, Germany

    Christian Roos

  6. School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences and Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Venda, P. Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa

    Peter J. Taylor

  7. School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000, South Africa

    Peter J. Taylor

  8. Cognitive Ethology Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077, Göttingen, Germany

    Dietmar Zinner

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  1. Colin P. Groves
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Groves, C.P., Cotterill, F.P.D., Gippoliti, S. et al. Species definitions and conservation: a review and case studies from African mammals. Conserv Genet 18, 1247–1256 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-017-0976-0

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