Somali Ostrich
Encyclopedia
The Somali Ostrich is a large flightless bird, a distinct subspecies
, sometimes considered a full species, of the Ostrich
.
has served as a geographic barrier to isolate the taxon from the nominate subspecies, the North African Ostrich S. c. camelus, while ecological and behavioural differences have kept it genetically distinct from the neighbouring Masai Ostrich S. c. massaicus. An examination of the mitochondrial DNA
of Struthio taxa, including the extinct Arabian Ostrich
S. c. syriacus, has found that the Somali Ostrich is phylogenetically
the most distinct, appearing to have diverged from their common ancestor some 3.6 to 4.1 million years ago.
, across Somalia
, to north-eastern Kenya
, its range corresponding roughly to the area known as the Horn of Africa
.
, whereas the latter is mainly a grazer
on open savanna
. There are also reports of interbreeding difficulties between the two taxa.
and the lack of any effective wildlife conservation
, its range and numbers there have since been shrinking as a result of uncontrolled hunting
for meat, medicinal products and eggs, with the bird facing eradication in the Horn of Africa.
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
, sometimes considered a full species, of the Ostrich
Ostrich
The Ostrich is one or two species of large flightless birds native to Africa, the only living member of the genus Struthio. Some analyses indicate that the Somali Ostrich may be better considered a full species apart from the Common Ostrich, but most taxonomists consider it to be a...
.
Taxonomy
Molecular evidence indicates that the East African RiftEast African Rift
The East African Rift is an active continental rift zone in eastern Africa that appears to be a developing divergent tectonic plate boundary. It is part of the larger Great Rift Valley. The rift is a narrow zone in which the African Plate is in the process of splitting into two new tectonic plates...
has served as a geographic barrier to isolate the taxon from the nominate subspecies, the North African Ostrich S. c. camelus, while ecological and behavioural differences have kept it genetically distinct from the neighbouring Masai Ostrich S. c. massaicus. An examination of the mitochondrial DNA
Mitochondrial DNA
Mitochondrial DNA is the DNA located in organelles called mitochondria, structures within eukaryotic cells that convert the chemical energy from food into a form that cells can use, adenosine triphosphate...
of Struthio taxa, including the extinct Arabian Ostrich
Arabian Ostrich
The Middle Eastern Ostrich or Arabian Ostrich is an extinct subspecies of the ostrich which once lived on the Arabian Peninsula and in the Near East. Its range seems to have been continuous in prehistoric times, but with the drying-up of the Arabian Peninsula, it disappeared from the inhospitable...
S. c. syriacus, has found that the Somali Ostrich is phylogenetically
Phylogenetics
In biology, phylogenetics is the study of evolutionary relatedness among groups of organisms , which is discovered through molecular sequencing data and morphological data matrices...
the most distinct, appearing to have diverged from their common ancestor some 3.6 to 4.1 million years ago.
Distribution
The Somali Ostrich is found in eastern Africa from north-eastern EthiopiaEthiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
, across Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
, to north-eastern Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, its range corresponding roughly to the area known as the Horn of Africa
Horn of Africa
The Horn of Africa is a peninsula in East Africa that juts hundreds of kilometers into the Arabian Sea and lies along the southern side of the Gulf of Aden. It is the easternmost projection of the African continent...
.
Description
Though generally similar to other ostriches, the skin of the neck and thighs of the Somali Ostrich is grey-blue (rather than pinkish), becoming bright blue on the male during the mating season. The neck lacks a typical broad white ring, and the tail feathers are white. The females are slightly larger than the males and browner in plumage than other female ostriches.Ecology
The Somali Ostrich is differentiated ecologically from the Masai Ostrich, with which there is some range overlap, by preferring bushier, more thickly vegetated areas, where it feeds largely by browsingBrowsing (predation)
Browsing is a type of herbivory in which an herbivore feeds on leaves, soft shoots, or fruits of high growing, generally woody, plants such as shrubs. This is contrasted with grazing, usually associated with animals feeding on grass or other low vegetation...
, whereas the latter is mainly a grazer
Grazing
Grazing generally describes a type of feeding, in which a herbivore feeds on plants , and also on other multicellular autotrophs...
on open savanna
Savanna
A savanna, or savannah, is a grassland ecosystem characterized by the trees being sufficiently small or widely spaced so that the canopy does not close. The open canopy allows sufficient light to reach the ground to support an unbroken herbaceous layer consisting primarily of C4 grasses.Some...
. There are also reports of interbreeding difficulties between the two taxa.
Conservation
A report to the IUCN in 2006 suggests that the Somali Ostrich was common in the central and southern regions of Somalia in the 1970s and 1980s. However, following the political disintegration of that countrySomali Civil War
The Somali Civil War is an ongoing civil war taking place in Somalia. The conflict, which began in 1991, has caused destabilisation throughout the country, with the current phase of the conflict seeing the Somali government losing substantial control of the state to rebel forces...
and the lack of any effective wildlife conservation
Wildlife conservation
Wildlife conservation is the preservation, protection, or restoration of wildlife and their environment, especially in relation to endangered and vulnerable species. All living non-domesticated animals, even if bred, hatched or born in captivity, are considered wild animals. Wildlife represents all...
, its range and numbers there have since been shrinking as a result of uncontrolled hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
for meat, medicinal products and eggs, with the bird facing eradication in the Horn of Africa.