Evolution What the Fossils Say and Why it Matters

FIGURE 14.14. Evolution of the giraffe family. (A) The

modern okapi is more typical of the group, with its

short neck and relatively short horns or “ossicones.”

Some fossil giraffids, however, had very unusual

branching and flaring cranial appendages. (Drawing

by C. R. Prothero; after Prothero 1994b) Only the

lineage of the modern giraffid evolved a long neck.

(B) The modern okapi, much more typical of the

giraffe family than its long-necked cousin. (Photo by

the author)

Okapia

Sivatherium

Brahmatherium

Climacoceras

Triceromeryx

Canthumeryx

Paleoryx

Giraffokeryx

Samotherium

Giraffa

Hunanotherium

Bohlinia

“Palaeotragus”

“Palaeotragus”

Q

PLIO

MIOCENE

OLIG

2

5

10

15

20

23

(A)

(B)

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