New investigations on the taxonomy of the zebras genus Equus, subgenus Hippotigris

Abstract

Species and subspecies of zebras are examined using traditional (pelage and craniometric) taxonomic methods, including multivariate analysis. Mountain Zebras are split into two species, Equus zebra and Equus hartmannae, because they differ absolutely (100%); Burchell's or plains zebras, however, are placed in Equus quagga because there are no absolute differences. The subspecies of Equus quagga are revised; six subspecies are recognisable. E. zebra, E. hartmannae and E. grevyi are monotypic.