Giraffa camelopardalis ( Linnaeus, 1758 )

Rios, M, Danowitz, M & Solounias, N, 2016, First comprehensive morphological analysis on the metapodials of Giraffidae, Palaeontologia Electronica 410 (10453), pp. 1-39 : 11-12

Giraffa camelopardalis ( Linnaeus, 1758)

Specimens. AMNH 53543, AMNH 82001, AMNH 53550

Description. The proximal articular surface is all on the same plane. The synovial fossa is closed. The medial and lateral epicondyles are symmetrical in size and morphology ( Figure 15). The proximal articular surface extends on to the palmar surface of the lateral epicondyle. Directly distal to this, there is a horizontal, deep groove. The medial epicondyle is relatively square while the lateral epicondyle is triangular in shape ( Figure 14.3 ). There is a shallow depression on the proximal end of the medial epicondyle. The central area between the medial and lateral epicondyles is textured with many ridges, foramina, and grooves. There is a shallow groove that separates the medial and lateral epicondyles, and it continues onto the central trough. The distal edge of the medial and lateral epicondyles extends onto the medial and lateral ridges, respectively. The central trough is shallow in depth ( Figure 6.6 ). The medial and lateral ridges are both sharp and thin. They flatten on the distal third of the shaft. The pyramidal rise on the distal aspect of the shaft is very faint. There is a shallow central groove on the palmar distal shaft. The medial edge of the shaft flares towards the distal condyle. The keels of the distal condyles are confined, and do not extend onto the distal shaft.

Description of the metatarsals of Giraffidae

Figures

FIGURE 6. Representative cross sections of right metacarpals. 1, Helladotherium duvernoyi, late Miocene, Pikermi, MNHNP 1527; 2, Birgerbohlinia schaubi, late Miocene, Samos, AMNH 20610 (reversed); 3, Okapia johnstoni, AMNH 15218 (reversed); 4, Samotherium major, late Miocene, Samos, AMNH 22790; 5, Bohlinia attica, late Miocene, Pikermi, PA 1474-1991; 6, Giraffa camelopardalis, AMNH 70016. Scale bar equals 80 mm.

FIGURE 14. Palmar views of the right metacarpals (left) and plantar views of the metatarsals (right) of certain Giraffidae. 1, Canthumeryx sirtensis, early-middle Miocene, Moruorot Hill, NMK Mo 41 (metatarsal); 2, Bohlinia attica, late Miocene, Pikermi, MNHNP 27561 (metacarpal), MNHNP 2357 (metatarsal) (reversed); 3, Giraffa camelopardalis, Zaire, AMNH 53550 (metacarpal), AMNH 53550 (metatarsal) (both reversed). Scale bar equals 200 mm.