Specific identity and taxonomic position of the extinct Quagga

Abstract

The present paper discusses the specific identity of two African zebras: the quagga, Equus quagga, exterminated in the last century, and the now widely distributed species Equus burchelli. Several authors, on the ground of morphology and more recently also on mitochondrial DNA analysis, expressed the opinion that these two zebras are conspecific. We contend that deductions based on mitochondrial DNA analysis are not cogent, while morphological data give evidence that Quagga and Burchell's Zebra are two distinct, not closely related species. © 1991 Accademia nazionale dei Lincei.