Which wildebeest species historically maintained a more geographically restricted range, centered in South Africa?
Answer
The Black Wildebeest (*C. gnu*)
The Black Wildebeest (*C. gnu*) is noted for having historically occupied a much smaller, more restricted geographical distribution, primarily centered in the region of South Africa. This limited range contrasts sharply with the Blue Wildebeest (*C. taurinus*), which is widespread throughout both Southern and East Africa and forms the basis of the massive East African migration. This difference in historical distribution is thought to relate to adaptation patterns; the Black Wildebeest lineage may have adapted to patchier resources before the massive grassland expansions that characterized the rise of the Blue Wildebeest.
Related Questions
To which tribe does the genus Connochaetes, which includes wildebeest, belong?What two key environmental conditions drove the evolution of dramatic migratory behavior in wildebeest?What physical feature distinctly characterizes the tail of the Black Wildebeest (*C. gnu*)?How is the visual coloration of the Blue Wildebeest (*C. taurinus*) described in contrast to its counterpart?What evolutionary specialization defined the lineage leading to the immense migratory herds of *C. taurinus*?Which wildebeest species historically maintained a more geographically restricted range, centered in South Africa?How do the horns of the Black Wildebeest (*C. gnu*) curve differently from those of *C. taurinus*?What collective action involving millions of Blue Wildebeest expresses their evolutionary success?What contemporary human impact turns the Blue Wildebeest's ancient strategy into a vulnerability?What specific conservation measure was crucial for the recovery of the Black Wildebeest from near extinction?