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The Evolution of the Black Wildebeest

Why Have the Teeth of the Black Wildebeest Grown Flatter?

By Ellie Browne and Madison Lytle

Thank You!

Why Has the Body Size of the Black Wildebeest Decreased?

The teeth of the black wildebeest have grown flatter because they are herbivores. Herbivores do not need to tear apart flesh in order to digest food and survive. They do need to grind plants such as grass. Ergo, the teeth have grown flatter to make them more effective for grinding.

The black wildebeest has become smaller. Evidence suggests that this is a result of not migrating and thus needing an immediate escape from predators. The smaller size allows it to run faster. Being that its body does not need endurance, its body is built for anaerobic activity.

Why Have the Differences Between Blue and Black Wildebeests Increased?

Source: http://www.atlanticcoralenterprise.com/productcart/pc/catalog/fullskullwithhorns-blkwildebeestbottomside_1649_detail.jpg

Blue and black wildebeests have grown in differences because they live in different regions. Blue wildebeest live in dryer, lighter colored environments, so they ended up lighter in order to camouflage in their habitat. Black wildebeest live in a wetter, darker colored environment, thus they ended up darker. The blue wildebeest migrates long distances during the winter, so they are bigger and built for endurance running. The black wildebeest does not migrate, so it is built for sprinting to escape from predators.

Why Have their Horns Moved Forwards?

Changes in the Wildebeest

Male wildebeest fight over females by butting their heads together. Originally, when the horns were higher on their heads, fighting caused more damage to their brains. So, their horns evolved to give more protection.

Over time, multiple changes have occurred in the black wildebeest:

  • The horns have moved forward on the cranium.
  • The differences between the blue wildebeest and the black wildebeest have increased.
  • The body has shrunk.
  • Their teeth have grown flatter.

*Note: All of these changes have occurred slowly over the course of one billion years.

The black wildebeest lives in the African Serengeti.

Source: http://www.naturalhistorymag.com/htmlsite/0906/images/0906feature_closeup.jpg

Source: http://imgc.allpostersimages.com/images/P-473-488-90/38/3825/HF8YF00Z/posters/james-hager-two-black-wildebeest-fighting-mountain-zebra-national-park-south-africa.jpg

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