An unexpected explanation.
Among biologists, there are two main theories explaining why giraffes have such long necks. The first theory claims that this animal evolved to reach leaves that are inaccessible to other herbivores. The second theory suggests that long vertebrae appeared in giraffes as a result of fights with other males.
A new study has added evidence in support of the theory of 'combat' evolution in giraffes. It turned out that one giraffe-like herbivore actually had a neck designed for fighting.
Fossilized bones of an unknown hoofed animal were found in northern China over 20 years ago. This species was named after a mythical unicorn goat from Chinese legends — Discokeryx xiezhi. Recently, scientists identified it as an ancient representative of the superfamily Giraffoidea, which lived on the savanna about 17 million years ago.
The ancestor of the giraffe did not have elegant proportions. Discokeryx xiezhi had a stocky build and a skull resembling the helmet of a medieval infantryman. The flat and wide skull was perfectly suited to withstand collisions with rivals.
Biologists conducted tests and found that the specific structure of the bones and joints of D. xiezhi could withstand strong impacts. It is possible that the ancestor of the giraffe had the strongest skull among all horned animals. Although this discovery has only a distant relation to modern giraffes, it demonstrates that fierce battles are not foreign to this branch of the animal kingdom.
