African lions really two species?

From Wildlife Extra:

African lions probably 2 distinct species

Lions in East and Southern Africa are larger, stronger and have bigger manes than their West African cousins.

Lions from west and central Africa have more in common with Asiatic lion

April 2011: There is a remarkable difference between the lions of west and central Africa compared to those in the east and south of the continent, according to new research.

The study suggests that lions from west and central Africa are genetically different from lions in east and southern Africa. The researchers analysed a region on the mitochondrial DNA of lions from across Africa and India, including sequences from extinct lions such as the Atlas lions in Morocco.

Surprisingly, lions from west and central Africa seemed to be more related to lions from the Asiatic subspecies than to their counterparts in east and southern Africa. Previous research has already suggested that lions in West and Central Africa are smaller in size and weight, have smaller manes, live in smaller groups, eat smaller prey and may also differ in the shape of their skull, compared to their counterparts in east and southern Africa. However, this research was not backed by conclusive scientific evidence. The present research findings show that the difference is also reflected in the genetic makeup of the lions.

The distinction between lions from the two areas of Africa can partially be explained by the location of natural structures that may form barriers for lion dispersal. These structures include the Central African rainforest and the Rift Valley, which stretches from Ethiopia to Tanzania and from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Mozambique.

Another aspect explaining the unique genetic position of the West and Central African lion is the climatological history of this part of the continent.

It is hypothesised that a local extinction occurred, following periods of severe drought 18,000-40,000 years ago. During this period, lions continuously ranged deep into Asia and it is likely that conditions in the Middle East were still sufficiently favourable to sustain lion populations. The data suggests that West and Central Africa was recolonised by lions from areas close to India, which explains the close genetic relationship between lions from these two areas.

West African lions highly endangered

There are thought to be about 1,700 lions left in West and Central Africa, which is less than ten per cent of the total estimated lion population in Africa. Numbers are still declining. They are under severe threat due to the fragmentation or even destruction of their natural savannah habitat, the depletion of prey and retaliatory killing by livestock owners.

African lions under threat from a growing predator: the American hunter: here.

May 2011. Conservationists have warned that Kenya’s lion population is in danger of becoming extinct within a few years if nothing is done to stem a wave of poisonings that have already left at least eight lions dead in recent weeks: here.

Kenya’s lions have been under threat, but a new scheme is saving lions and rewarding the Maasai: here.

Although lions are always filmed killing and eating antelope, zebra, warthog and buffalo, they are highly opportunistic and will kill and eat a wide range of species, especially when food is short, including rodents and any birds that they are able to catch. These young lions have managed to catch an unfortunate Maribou stork and they make very short work of the bird, squabbling between themselves over the ‘prize’: here.

Photographer Adri De Visser captured photos of the amazing sight when a lioness befriended a baby Uganda Kob after killing its mother. In the photo series, the lioness seemingly adopts the baby antelope, nuzzling it and picking it up by the scruff of its neck: here.