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An evaluation of stripe pattern and niche variation in Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra)
Dissertation (MSc (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2019.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2026
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| _version_ | 1867613490630361088 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | De Bruyn, P.J. Nico |
| author_browse | De Bruyn, P.J. Nico |
| author_facet | De Bruyn, P.J. Nico |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2025 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Dissertation (MSc (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2019. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/110473 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:36:58.812Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/110473 An evaluation of stripe pattern and niche variation in Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) De Bruyn, P.J. Nico nicolas.prinsloo@gmail.com Postma, Martin Prinsloo, Nicolas D. UCTD Sustainable Development Goals Stripe patterm Niche variation Cape mountain zebrah Dissertation (MSc (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2019. Phenotypic variation represents an interface between the environment and animal inhabitants to conserve, monitor and study for evolutionary understanding. Confidence in the extent and development of methods to quantify such variation requires an ideal model. The vulnerable Cape mountain zebras (CMZ; Equus zebra zebra) have clearly contrasting stripes, interesting niche dynamics and a historic genetic bottleneck. Morphology was quantified using automated 3D photogrammetry and a novel geometric morphometric approach for stripe patterns. The isotopic niche was defined using isotopic chronologies from tail hair and evaluated at various levels. I observed differences within respective individual replicates for morphology and along isotopic chronologies, individual variation within groups and the population, and between groups in morphological, behavioural and physiological culminations of phenotypic variation. I derived CMZ pattern uniqueness and baseline morphological variation with which to compare over time or with other populations. Individual similarity was maintained, despite allometric distortion of the coat pattern (F1,51 = 7.8; R2 = 0.13; p = 0.001). Branching of the first four torso stripes varied geometrically, accounting for 19.3% of total shape variation, of which 41.82% can only be feasibly measured with geometric morphometrics. Internal neural and gut morphologies, associated with behaviour and physiology, and thus dietary niche, may be similarly affected. Cape MZ are obligate grazers that rarely deviate (4.46% of subsamples), but the timing of mixed feeding contrasts expectations, occurring more in summer and narrowing to obligate grazing in winter. These trends in niche (delimited by δ13C and δ15N) differed between groups (p < 0.001) and demographics (p = 0.002). By increasing the hierarchical resolution to include group dynamics in a gregarious species, I improved the informativeness of niche variation and specialization: group- (0.55 ± 0.04) and individual-level specialisation (0.53 ± 0.02) were similar. Resouce use fills in some behavioural and physiological aspects of phenotype.The methods proposed herein quantify CMZ phenotypic variation. Understanding its hierarchical nature locates it within a broader context for comparison with similarly placed tiers, i.e. species, populations, groups, etc. to understand constraints and the level where action is required. Combined geometric morphometrics with current identification may improve efficiency and informativeness for individual identification and proxy morphological variation at the group and population-levels. Varied group behaviour, and juvenile inexperience are important to consider when moving individuals to suboptimal habitat with limited graze. Each ecological tier has a different association with intrinsic and extrinsic factors that informs management action.In achieving my objectives, I have opened avenues for further study. Modified geometric approaches could quantify shape indices of condition with surface sliding landmarks or study skin cell expansion and migration. Where morphological variation helps us understand the organism and its development, niche may help us understand its interaction with the environment and inform conservation management. Overall, future studies need to consider informative measures of phenotypic variation including easily measurable morphological indices and isotopic niche variation for comparison within a broader context. Zoology and Entomology MSc (Zoology) Unrestricted Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences SDG-15: Life on land 2026-06-08T09:45:34Z 2026-06-08T09:45:34Z 2019 2018-12 Dissertation * A2019 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/110473 N/A en © 2025 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals Stripe patterm Niche variation Cape mountain zebrah An evaluation of stripe pattern and niche variation in Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) |
| title | An evaluation of stripe pattern and niche variation in Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) |
| title_full | An evaluation of stripe pattern and niche variation in Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) |
| title_fullStr | An evaluation of stripe pattern and niche variation in Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) |
| title_full_unstemmed | An evaluation of stripe pattern and niche variation in Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) |
| title_short | An evaluation of stripe pattern and niche variation in Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) |
| title_sort | evaluation of stripe pattern and niche variation in cape mountain zebra equus zebra zebra |
| topic | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals Stripe patterm Niche variation Cape mountain zebrah |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/110473 |