Osteological foot differences between giraffes from distinct geographical locations; a pilot study

Description of some osteological differences in the tarsal joint between the two giraffes possibly belonging to the species: Giraffa camelopardalis antiquitorum and Giraffa reticulata. This is a pilot study until more individuals are studied. Differences are presented in the fibula, calcaneus, and astragalus. Other bones possess differences but are not covered in this study. There is also a difference in the degree of dorsiflexion of the tarsal joint. In G. reticulata, unlike G. camelopardalis, the lateral malleolar process of the astragalus is larger and is used as a support for the plantarflexed tarsal joint during forward propulsion. The lateral malleolar process is larger, the astragalocalcaneal ligament is more expanded, the sustentaculum tali is more developed, and the tarsal joint is more flexible in G. reticulata. The descending process of the fibula is also stronger as an additional support system to stabilize the tarsal joint. Prodremotherium is a model of the ancestral taxon to the entire family of Giraffidae. These two Giraffa species are compared to Okapia and Prodremotherium, and the okapi is not an intermediate between Prodremotherium and Giraffa based on the osteology of the tarsal joint.