What are the two primary subspecies that the classification of the Western Gorilla (*Gorilla gorilla*) separates them into?
Answer
Western Lowland Gorilla and Cross River Gorilla
The biological classification of the Western Gorilla (*Gorilla gorilla*) divides the species into two distinct subspecies, which is crucial for tailored conservation strategies. These two divisions are the Western Lowland Gorilla (*Gorilla gorilla gorilla*) and the Cross River Gorilla (*Gorilla gorilla diehli*). This distinction is important because the Lowland population is numerically far greater and spans several countries, whereas the Cross River population is critically endangered and geographically isolated in a very small area along the Nigerian-Cameroonian border. Management plans must account for the vast demographic and geographic differences between these two groups.
Related Questions
What are the two primary subspecies that the classification of the Western Gorilla (*Gorilla gorilla*) separates them into?What physical feature signals the full adulthood and leadership status of a mature male Western Gorilla, earning him the title of 'silverback'?What is the primary mode of locomotion utilized by Western Gorillas, which is facilitated by their arms being longer than their legs?What specialized dietary behavior, involving the consumption of soil or clay, is observed in Western Gorillas, and what is the proposed reason for this practice?What key decision-making function does the dominant silverback execute for the gorilla troop regarding movement and sustenance?What interaction between genetics and pathogens makes the Ebola virus such a devastating threat to the Western Gorilla, given their shared characteristics with humans?What demographic fact underscores the extreme conservation fragility of the Cross River Gorilla subspecies?Where do Western Gorillas construct their resting platforms, or nests, each night using gathered vegetation?What aspect of the Western Gorilla's life cycle contributes significantly to the difficulty of population recovery following mass mortality events?What specific variety of Central African environments are listed as being inhabited by the Western Gorilla population?