Grant's Gazelle - Taxonomy and Genetics

Taxonomy and Genetics

Grant's gazelle is more genetically related to Soemmerring's gazelle (N. soemmerringii) and Thomson’s gazelle (Eudorcas thomsonii) with Soemmering’s gazelle being the closest relative out of the two species. Grant's gazelle shows high genetic variation among its populations even though there is no geographic isolation. The differentiation of the species may have evolved during repeated expansion and contraction of arid habitats during the late Pleistocene era in which populations were possibly isolated. Grant's gazelle was formerly considered a member of the genus Gazella within the subgenus Nanger before Nanger was elevated to genus status.