Lions in South-Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia

[BlakeW39]

(10-17-2019, 08:53 PM)GuateGojira Wrote:

(10-17-2019, 07:25 PM)lionjaguar Wrote: While I don't entirely believe they'll find one (or, honestly, if Cape lions are even distinct as a population) but nevertheless it's cool to see and hope for the best!

Actually, Cape lions were just a southern population of th existing South African lions. Although they had some characteristics that may suggest a differentiation, we must take in count that those were described by only a couple of skulls and skins from the area, so are not very reliable.

Mazák said that cape lions had a distinct mane in the last part of they abdomen, but modern Kruger lions also have that, check this male for example, know as "Hairy belly":

*This image is copyright of its original author

Those old taxonomic characteristics should be taken carefully as where based in very few specimens, this is the case with all the  lion and tiger subspecies.

Yes I am aware of this, the genetic differentiation between lions is incredibly small, and genetically there are only two subspecies - one of which primarily occupies Sub-Saharan Africa and another which occupies Eurasia, North Africa, as well as parts of Sub-Saharan Africa as well. The Asiatic/Indian lion is pretty close to genetically identical to the Barbary lion. 

However this does not mean that seperate populations aren't different. Morphological and behavioral characteristics are most important on a subspecific/population level. These morphological characteristics/adaptations as well as behaviors probably vary more within big cat subspecies than they do between them. Indian lions are unique in their behavior (small lioness prides, males fotming coalitions or beinh solitary) and are morphologically distinct, clearly these adaptations are for their forest habitat. They are well suited to their habitat. While West African lions are genetically similar, they are in other respects different and adapted to a different habitat/lifestyle and are behaviorally more similar to many of the other subspecies. This is why populations are important. Animals form adaptations based on their habitat. Siberian tigers are adapted to temperate and often very cold temperatures, Bengal tigers are closer in adaptation to Sunda tigers in that they live in a warmer climate.

Also, for conservational reasons, recognition of distinctive *populations* can be vital for an animal's survival. If Asiatic lions weren't distinguished as a distinct population, they'd not recieve such important efforts.

So, while I don't think Cape lions in particular are especially unique, we can see that it is important to go beyond the genetic and subspecific level of classification.

And yes, Hairy Belly is a majestic animal hahaha. Reply