![]() ![]() The study showed that the smaller, more isolated populations of zebras had lower genetic diversity, as would be expected. Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, led by biologist Brenda Larison, conducted DNA tests on 140 plains zebras, including seven with odd coat patterns, from nine locations across the plains zebra’s range in Africa. Speaking of the foal Tira, photographer Frank Liu told National Geographic, “At first glance, he looked like a different species altogether.” They also have the widest stripes, with coats more thoroughly covered in the pattern the further north in their range they are. Plains zebras are the most widespread of the three, appearing between the eastern African grasslands and southern African woodlands. Plains zebras are one of three species of zebras, along with mountain zebras and Grevy’s zebras. The foal, named Tira after the Maasai guide who first spotted it, has a dark coat and white polka dots instead of the zebra’s trademark stripes. In recent years, scientists have noticed more plains zebras with odd patterns on their coats, the most recent being a spotted foal in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Park. But these stripes are not the certainty they once were. Zebras coats gain their color from the transfer of melanin from skin cells - the black stripes have melanin, whereas the white fur has none. It’s the pattern of stripes, vocalization, and scent that a baby zebra imprints on and uses to recognize their mother. Stripes are the unique identifier that humans and zebras use to distinguish between individual zebras, no two the same. The pattern develops in the eighth month of embryonic development, they’re born with brown streaks that darken to black with age. Despite living in areas of high fly activity zebras are not commonly targeted by these species, allowing them to avoid injury and diseases spread by these insects. When the horses were placed in striped coats, the flies landed less often. Experiments placed zebras and uniformly colored horses in similar enclosures, and though the flies circled and touched at similar rates, they landed on the horses far more often. The most promising theory though is that of protection from biting flies. Many theories have been proposed for the purpose of their iconic black and white stripes: camouflage, predator confusion, social recognition, thermoregulation. Why the zebra has its stripes is a question biologists have been puzzling over more than a century now. Terry is passionate about storytelling and its crucial role i. She helps to develop and write articles for AWF’s publications like the Travel Africa magazine, and other print marketing products such as the annual report. ![]() Terry Mukera is African Wildlife Foundation's Editorial Associate. ![]()
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