Quagga

The quagga (Equus quagga quagga) is an extinct subspecies of the plains zebra that lived in South Africa. It became extinct in 1883

Description
As a subspecies of the plains zebra, the quagga was almost identical to modern individuals. In fact, the quagga and other subspecies often interbred, to the point where it was almost impossible to tell them apart. However, most quaggas had a few significant differences from other zebras. For example, the quagga only had stripes its head and upper body, and its hindquarters were brown in color. It measured 2.5 meters in length and 1.3 meters at the shoulder

Only one quagga was ever photographed alive, a mare at the London Zoo. It died in 1872.

Classification
The quagga was originally classified as a distinct species of zebra (Equus quagga) in 1778. The taxonomic history of the quagga is clouded for multiple reasons. There is a great deal of variation between zebras, even in the same subspecies, and scientists at the time erected new species of equine solely from details of the animals' hide. Additionally, at one point all zebras were referred to by the name "quagga".

In 1984, the quagga was the first extinct animal to have its DNA analyzed. The genetic evidence proved that the quagga was a subspecies of the plains zebra. Another genetic study in 2005 indicated that the quagga diverged from the plains zebra recently, no earlier than 290,000 years ago.

History
The quagga was hunted by natives and early Dutch settlers for their meat and skin. It had a limited distribution, and had to compete with domesticated animals for space. The last wild populations were exterminated by 1878.

Some quaggas were captured and shipped to European zoos for display. George Douglas, the 1th Earl of Morton, launched a captive breeding program of the species, but was only able to acquire a single male. He bred it with a horse, resulting in a hybrid female foal. He went on to breed this hybrid with another horse, and their offspring also had zebra stripes. This led to new ideas about the now-outdated theory of telegony.

The last known example of the quagga died in 1883 in Amsterdam.

Quagga Project
When the relationship between plains zebras and the quagga was determined, the Quagga Project was formed in 1987 by Reinhold Rau. He aimed to recreate the quagga using selective breeding of zebras with quagga-like traits. This type of selection is called "breeding back". The animals that have resulted from this project do look much like their extinct counterparts, but whether they can be considered true quaggas or simply quagga-like zebras is a matter of debate.

Behavior
Little is known about the behavior of wild quaggas, as it is sometimes unclear what species of zebra is featured in contemporary reports. a definitive quagga account was provided by Major Sir William Cornwallis Harris in 1840:

"The geographical range of the quagga does not appear to extend to the northward of the river Vaal. The animal was formerly extremely common within the colony; but, vanishing before the strides of civilisation, is now to be found in very limited numbers and on the borders only. Beyond, on those sultry plains which are completely taken possession of by wild beasts, and may with strict propriety be termed the domains of savage nature, it occurs in interminable herds; and, although never intermixing with its more elegant congeners, it is almost invariably to be found ranging with the white-tailed gnu and with the ostrich, for the society of which bird especially it evinces the most singular predilection. Moving slowly across the profile of the ocean-like horizon, uttering a shrill, barking neigh, of which its name forms a correct imitation, long files of quaggas continually remind the early traveller of a rival caravan on its march. Bands of many hundreds are thus frequently seen doing their migration from the dreary and desolate plains of some portion of the interior, which has formed their secluded abode, seeking for those more luxuriant pastures where, during the summer months, various herbs thrust forth their leaves and flowers to form a green carpet, spangled with hues the most brilliant and diversified."

- Major Sir William Cornwallis Harris, 1840