While the study only looked at seven animals with odd patterns, the results could be a visual warning about the plains zebra’s future, says Larison. But the study also revealed these isolated groups were more likely to produce abnormally striped zebras, suggesting these genetic mutations are caused by their poor genetic diversity. Their study, published recently in the journal Molecular Ecology, found that smaller, more isolated populations of zebras had lower genetic diversity-not a surprise. To find out, Larison and colleagues ran genetic analyses on 140 individual plains zebras-including seven animals with unusual coat patterns-from nine locations in Africa, including Nambia’s Etosha National Park and South Africa’s Kruger National Park. ( Read more about Larison’s research in her own words.) “The observation led me to wonder: Is part of the reason that I’m seeing so many is because this population is inbred?” says Larison, who studies the evolution of zebra stripes at the University of California, Los Angeles. A lack of gene flow can lead to inbreeding and ultimately infertility, disease, and other genetic defects. Migrating infuses populations with new genes, making it key to a species’ long-term survival. Habitat fragmentation caused by fences, roads, and human development have squeezed zebra populations, like the one in Lake Mburu, into small pockets of land, preventing some of the animals from migrating between herds. Though plains zebras are the least threatened of the three species, their numbers have dropped by 25 percent since 2002, with around 500,000 animals ranging from Ethiopia to South Africa. So biologist Brenda Larison found it striking that an unusually high number-an estimated 5 percent-of plains zebra living near Uganda’s Lake Mburo were abnormally striped. Such aberrations-often caused by genetic mutations that alter the production of melanin, a natural pigment-are generally rare among mammals. In 2019 in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, scientists recorded a polka-dotted foal, with white spots covering its dark-brown body. But in some cases, these African equines sport unusual color patterns, such as large, black splotches or golden coats with light-colored stripes. Dress it up with a blazer for a polished look or keep things casual with a denim jacket and low-top trainers.Anyone can tell you that zebras have distinctive black and white stripes. “The round neckline, long sleeves and skater skirt design add sophistication and elegance to the ensemble, giving you a fluid silhouette that's both comfortable and chic while the animal pattern is sure to make a statement. It effortlessly transitions from day to evening wear with its timeless silhouette. Sizes range from extra small to extra, extra large.Ī statement by Primark reads: “Whether you're dressing for a formal event, a night out on the town, or a day at the office, this mini dress is your go-to choice for a range of occasions. Primark has even dubbed the dress the ‘outfit saviour you’ve been searching for’. The frock boasts of a bold black and tan animal print pattern and a skater-style silhouette, which is said to be both ‘comfortable and chic’. However, with the Primark dress, shoppers can save themselves £485. The retailer's Jacquard Mini Dress is priced at just £10 and almost the same as the Michael Kors Zebra Fil Coupé Belted Mini Dress, which costs a whopping £495. Primark has impressed shoppers by selling a wallet-friendly alternative to a pricey Michael Kors dress, as reported by BristolLive. Luckily, you don’t have to splash out hundreds of pounds on a designer look, with one budget high street retailer selling alternatives to luxury high-end fits. If you’re still on the hunt for that perfect Christmas outfit, trawling through your wardrobe and retailers online, then treating yourself for something uber-fancy might be on the cards.
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