Volume 83, Issues 4–6, 2014, Pages 146–154
Die
Geschichte eines vergessenen Esels – Bemerkungen zu den im Giardino
Zoologico in Rom gehaltenen Afikanischen Wildeseln und ihrer Bedeutung
für die Taxonomie und Erhaltung von Equus africanus (von Heuglin & Fitzinger, 1866)
Abstract
This
paper reviews the history of African wild asses in the Giardino
Zoologico of Rome, highlighting their relevance to taxonomy of Equus africanus
(von Heuglin & Fitzinger, 1866). Specifically, it is demonstrated
that the so-called Munich/Catskill stock of African wild ass originated
from three animals imported in Rome from Eritrean Danakil in August
1932. Available evidence suggests that contrary to some recent
statements, these ‘wild’ asses were not related to the Nubian wild ass
and are better considered as the result of some intergradations between
Somali wild asses and local Danakil donkeys.
Keywords
- Nubian wild ass;
- Equidae;
- Equus africanus africanus;
- Eritrea
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