Lower Miocene Libyan Giraffe (Zarafa zelteni Hamilton, 1973) Fossils from Gaza City, Palestine

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‫بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم‬

ISSN 0178-6288 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Norman_KhalafPrinz_Sakerfalke_Von_Jaffa/publications https://palestine.academia.edu/NormanKhalaf https://issuu.com/dr-norman-ali-khalaf/docs

================================ ‫ النشرة الفلسطينية لعلم األحياء‬: ‫الغزال‬ Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin Gazelle : Das Palästinensische Biologische Bulletin

================================ Monthly Bulletin – Volume 40 – Number 206 – February 2022 Published by Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Khalaf Department for Environmental Research and Media, National Research Center, University of Palestine, Gaza, State of Palestine

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Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin - ISSN 0178-6288 - Volume 40 – Number 206 – February 2022

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The Lower Miocene Libyan Giraffe (Zarafa zelteni Hamilton, 1973) Fossils from Gaza City, State of Palestine By: Sharif Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Mohammad Ahmad Ahmad Mostafa Abdallah Mohammad Khalaf-Prinz Sakerfalke von Jaffa

‫) من‬1973 ، ‫أحافير الزرافة الليبية ( زرافة زلتني هاميلتون‬ ‫ دولة فلسطين‬، ‫سفلي من مدينة غزة‬ ُ ‫عصر الميوسين ال‬ ‫ نورمان (نُعمان) علي بسام علي طاهر ُمحمد أحمد أحمد ُمصطفى‬.‫ د‬.‫ الشريف أ‬: ‫بقلم‬ ‫عبدهللا ُمحمد خلف اليافاوي العيزري‬ Abstract : Lower Miocene Libyan Giraffe (Zarafa zelteni = Canthumeryx sirtensis) fossils were known from Al-Hula Lake, North of Palestine, discovered while drying the lake; and from Tel Rakhma (Yeruham) in the Northern Al-Naqab (Negev) Desert, South of Palestine. Recently, In November 2017, an upper jaw fossil measuring 25.5 cm, and a vertebra fossil measuring 12.5 cm, both belonging to the 17.8 million years old primitive Libyan Giraffe (Zarafa zelteni Hamilton, 1973) were discovered in Gaza City, South-west Palestine. The fossils originate from a muddy soil area from the Gaza Strip. Both relatively big fossil objects were found amongst hundreds of smaller fossil objects and broken pieces, covered with mud, during planting work done by Gaza City Municipality, on the central island of Jameat Al-Duwal Al-Arabiyah (Arab League) Street in Gaza City, in November 2017.

: ‫ُملخص‬

‫سفلي الليبية ( زرافة ّزلتّني = كانثو ّمريكس‬ ُ ‫تم إكتشاف أحافير زرافة عصر الميوسين ال‬ )‫ أثناء تجفيف البُحيرة ؛ ومن تل رخمة (يروحام‬، ‫ شمال فلسطين‬، ‫سيرتّنسيس) من بُحيرة الحولة‬

‫ تم العثور على أحفورة فك‬، 2017 ‫ وفي شهر نوفمبر‬. ‫ جنوب فلسطين‬، ‫في شمال صحراء النقب‬ ‫ تنتميان إلى الزرافة الليبية‬، ‫ سم‬12.5 ‫ وأحفورة فقرة ظهرية بطول‬، ‫ سم‬25.5 ‫عُلوي بطول‬ ‫ ويُقدر عُمر األحفورتين ب‬. ‫ جنوب غرب فلسطين‬، ‫ وذلك في مدينة غزة‬، )‫البدائية ( زرافة ّزلتّني‬ ‫ وقد تم العثور‬. ‫ ويرجع مصدرهما من منطقة ذات تربة طينية في قطاع غزة‬، ‫ مليون سنة‬17.8 ً ‫ وسط مئات من القطع األحفورية األصغر حجما‬، ً ‫على هاتين القطعتين األحفورتين الكبيرتين نسبيا‬ ‫ وال ُمغطاة بالطين أثناء أعمال الزراعة التي كانت بلدية مدينة غزة تقوم بها في‬، ‫والقطع ال ُمتكسرة‬ . 2017 ‫ في شهر نوفمبر‬، ‫الوسطى بشارع جامعة الدُول العربية في مدينة غزة‬ ُ ‫الجزيرة‬ Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin - ISSN 0178-6288 - Volume 40 – Number 206 – February 2022

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An upper jaw fossil (25.5 cm, left) and a vertebra fossil (12.5 cm, right), belonging to the Lower Miocene Libyan Giraffe (Zarafa zelteni Hamilton, 1973) were discovered in Gaza City, State of Palestine, in November 2017. Photo by Jeehad Sharkawi. 12.11.2017.

Lower Miocene Libyan Giraffe (Zarafa zelteni = Canthumeryx sirtensis) fossils were known from Al-Hula Lake, North of Palestine, discovered while drying the lake (Khaled Hamode [Palestinian Nature Tour Guide], Personal communication, July 2020); and from Tel Rakhma (Yeruham) in the Northern Al-Naqab (Negev) Desert, South of Palestine (Rios, Sánchez & Morales, 2017). Recently, In November 2017, an upper jaw fossil measuring 25.5 cm, and a vertebra fossil measuring 12.5 cm, both belonging to the 17.8 million years old primitive Libyan Giraffe (Zarafa zelteni Hamilton, 1973) were discovered in Gaza City, South-west Palestine, by the Palestinian Art Director at Palestine TV Jeehad Sharkawi. The two fossil objects were collected and photographed.

Then, the photos were sent to the author for identification. The fossils originate from a muddy soil area from the Gaza Strip. Both relatively big fossil objects were found amongst hundreds of smaller fossil objects and broken pieces, covered with mud, during planting work done by Gaza City Municipality, on the central island of Jameat Al-Duwal Al-Arabiyah (Arab League) Street in Gaza City, in November 2017.

The Giraffidae is a clade of crown-pecorans that include the only extant survivors of the ancient Giraffomorpha. Giraffids are diagnosed by the presence of a bilobed canine and Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin - ISSN 0178-6288 - Volume 40 – Number 206 – February 2022

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a special type of epiphyseal and permanent cranial appendage called ossicone.

Ossicones are also present in palaeomerycids, thus they are found in at least two families within Giraffomorpha, the Palaeomerycoidea and the Giraffoidea. Sánchez et al.

(2015) hypothesized ossicone-like appendages as a possible basal trait for Giraffomorpha; however this has to be still fully corroborated by both the fossil record and a deep analysis of the anatomy and structure of the diverse giraffomorph cranial appendages (Rios, Sánchez & Morales, 2017).

Living giraffids are relics and represented by only two genera, the African Okapia (monotypic) and Giraffa (could be four species), but it was very diverse during the Miocene, when it was widespread throughout the Old World. The earliest remains of giraffids come from the early and middle Miocene. These are the basal forms Zarafa zelteni (= Canthumeryx sirtensis) (Hamilton, 1973) from the lower Miocene Gebel Zelten (Libya), Wadi Moghara (Egypt), Kalodirr, Loperot, Buluk, Moruorot and Rusinga Island (Kenya), and Tel Rakhma (Yeruham) (Palestine) (Hamilton, 1978) as well as from the middle Miocene of Maboko Island (Kenya) and Al-Sarrar (Saudi Arabia) (Grossman & Solounias, 2013); and the form Georgiomeryx georgalasi (Paraskevaidis, 1940) from Thymiana (Greece). Giraffid remains from the middle Miocene are scarce, but giraffid remains become very abundant from late Miocene deposits onwards, showing a high diversity of shapes and forms, found all over Eurasia and Africa. Thus, the late Miocene was a period of rapid diversification within the Giraffidae (Rios, Sánchez & Morales, 2017).

Libyan Giraffe Zarafa zelteni (= Canthumeryx sirtensis). By: Torimorris on DeviantArt. https://www.pinterest.at/pin/489907265695044004/?nic_v1=1aJV%2B9Fh9irwV%2FJ%2BH3bS Koh5ADUPxIkhXwLTBWZaRGFblBQe1UA1T9UZA8qoDB%2BzXY Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin - ISSN 0178-6288 - Volume 40 – Number 206 – February 2022

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Zarafa = Canthumeryx The earliest known giraffine ancestor is Canthumeryx sirtensis (originally Zarafa zelteni). It was discovered near Gebel Zelten escarpment, in Libya, an area that is now desert but at the time that Canthumeryx lived was flourishing savannah. The fossil fauna of Gebel Zelten appears to have a date range of 15-25 million years ago (Hamilton, 1973; Gentry, 1994). Drake et al. (1988) suggest a date of 17.8 million years ago for the origin of Canthumeryx, using a molecular clock, informed by cytochrome b and kappa casein gene sequences (Shorrocks, 2016).

Zarafa (= Canthumeryx) was a medium-sized, slender antelope about the same size as a fallow deer (Dama dama) (Hamilton 1973, 1978). Importantly, it had the characteristic bilobed giraffoid lower canines. Hamilton (1978) suggests that this feature would facilitate the stripping of foliage from browse. Its limbs were about 85-100 cm long, and its shoulder height could therefore have been about 1.5 meters. It had simple, unbranched horns that projected horizontally to the side of the head. Like its gelocid ancestor, it seems to have been very similar to a lightly built, medium-sized, slenderlimbed gazelle (Shorrocks, 2016).

Injanatherium arabicum is an extinct species of giraffids from the Miocene of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Injanatherium arabicum had at least two pairs of long, wing-like ossicones that emanated laterally above the orbits. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Injanatherium#/media/File:Injanatherium_arabicum.jpg Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin - ISSN 0178-6288 - Volume 40 – Number 206 – February 2022

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Related and later species have been discovered throughout the Middle East, in Iraq and Saudi Arabia and Greece, and these species existed 15-18 million years ago. These include Injanatherium arabicum which flourished in the mid-Miocene in Saudi Arabia (Morales et al. 1987) and Pakistan, and Injanatherium hazimi in the late Miocene in Iraq (Heintz et al. 1981), and Georgiomeryx from Greece (De Bonis et al. 1997). Georgiomeryx was a direct descendant of Canthumeryx, had flattened supraorbital horns, and its fossils have been dated to 15-16 million years ago (De Bonis et al. 1997). Significantly, Injanatherium had two pairs of horns and the distribution of its fossils suggests that it occupied a more easterly part of the southern European biome, while Georgiomeryx had migrated more westwards (Shorrocks, 2016).

While Canthumeryx and its relations clearly are at the base of the Giraffa line, they existed 10-15 million years before the first appearance of the genus Giraffa and clearly did not have a giraffe-like shape. They also appear to have become extinct towards the early middle Miocene, about 14 or 15 million years ago. The 7-8 million years gap between the Canthumerycidae and the appearance of the first undoubted giraffes is filled by the Palaeotraginae (Shorrocks, 2016).

An upper jaw fossil measuring 25.5 cm, and belonging to the Lower Miocene Libyan Giraffe (Zarafa zelteni Hamilton, 1973) was discovered in Gaza City, State of Palestine, in November 2017. Photo by Jeehad Sharkawi. 12.11.2017.

Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin - ISSN 0178-6288 - Volume 40 – Number 206 – February 2022

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An upper jaw fossil measuring 25.5 cm, and belonging to the Lower Miocene Libyan Giraffe (Zarafa zelteni Hamilton, 1973) was discovered in Gaza City, State of Palestine in November 2017. Photo by Jeehad Sharkawi. 12.11.2017.

The author feeding and petting a Reticulated or Somali Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) at the Emirates Park Zoo in Abu Dhabi, UAE .. Photo by my beloved daughter Nora Norman Ali Khalaf .. 13.10.2013.

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Acknowledgements ‫شُكر خاص لل ُمخرج والناقد الفني جهاد الشرقاوي وال ُمرشد السياحي خالد حمودة‬ I would like to thank two friends. The Palestinian Art Director at Palestine TV Jeehad Sharkawi for his big interest for Gaza fossils, and for collecting and photographing the Gaza Giraffe fossils which has been studied and published here in our article; and to the Palestinian Nature Tour Guide Khaled Hamode for providing information on the presence of Giraffe fossils at Al-Hula Lake, North of Palestine.

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A vertebra fossil measuring 12.5 cm, and belonging to the Lower Miocene Libyan Giraffe (Zarafa zelteni Hamilton, 1973) was discovered in Gaza City, State of Palestine in November 2017. Photo

by Jeehad Sharkawi. 12.11.2017.

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The Reticulated or Somali Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) at the Emirates Park Zoo in Abu Dhabi, UAE ... Photo: Ola Khalaf ... 16.05.2014 Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin - ISSN 0178-6288 - Volume 40 – Number 206 – February 2022

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Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam (1994). An Introduction to the Animal Life in Palestine. Shqae’q Al-Nouma’n (Anemone coronaria). A Quarterly Magazine Issued by the Program EAI (Education for Awareness and for Involvement). Environmental Education / Children for Nature Protection. In Cooperation with Dept. of General and Higher Education. P.L.O., Palestine. Number 4. Huzairan (June) 1994. pp. 16-21. (in Arabic).

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2004). Gazelle: Das Palästinensische Biologische Bulletin.

Eine Wissenschaftliche Reise in Palästina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1983 – 2004 / Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. A Scientific Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1983 – 2004. ISBN 3-00-014121-9. Erste Auflage, Juli 2004: 452 Seiten. Zweite erweiterte Auflage, August 2004: 460 Seiten. Publisher: Norman Ali Khalaf, Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Germany. http://dr-norman-ali-khalafbooks.webs.com/& eBook: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/59405994/book-gazelle-thepalestinian-biological-bulletin-a-scientific-journey-in-palestine-arabia-and-europebetween-1983-2004-by-norman-ali-khalaf-von-jaffa-2004 Khalaf, Norman Ali (2005, 2006, 2007). Chapter 3: Geography, Flora and Fauna. Pages 32-39.in: Palestine: A Guide. By Mariam Shahin, Photography by George Azar. CoAuthor: Norman Ali Khalaf. Northampton, Massachusetts: Interlink Publishing Group, 2005, 2006, 2007. xi + 471 pages. Appendices to page 500. http://ipsnewsite.mysite4now.com/journals.aspx?id=7323&jid=1&href=fulltext Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2006). Mammalia Palaestina: The Mammals of Palestine / Die Säugetiere Palästinas. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 55, Twenty-fourth Year, July 2006, Jumada Al-Thania 1427. Pp. 1-46.

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2006). Mammalia Arabica. Eine Zoologische Reise in Palästina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1980-2006 / Mammalia Arabica. A Zoological Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin - ISSN 0178-6288 - Volume 40 – Number 206 – February 2022

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Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1980-2006. ISBN 3-00-017294-7. Erste Auflage (First Edition), Juli 2006, 484 pp. Publisher: Norman Ali Khalaf, RilchingenHanweiler, Deutschland & Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://dr-norman-alikhalaf-books.webs.com/mammaliaarabica.htm & eBook (Google Drive): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mjzf_I_b8wTX_BHd1RsuU4ykhJlIKW2/view?usp=sharing Khalaf-Prinz Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (11.08.2006). Photo: Two Angolan or Smoky Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis angolensis) in the Neunkirchen Zoo, Neunkirchen City, Saarland, Germany. Flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/50022881@N00/295444471/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2007). Felidae Arabica. A Zoological Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1980-2007 / Felidae Arabica. Eine Zoologische Reise in Palästina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1980-2007.

ISBN 978-3-00-019568-6. Erste Auflage (First Edition), Juli (July) 2007, 300 pp. SelfPublisher: Norman Ali Khalaf, Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Deutschland & Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (in Arabic, German and English). Doctoral Dissertation. Ashwood University, USA. Doctor of Science Degree in Zoology (Summa Cumm Laude) on 26.09.2007. http://dr-norman-ali-khalaf-books.webs.com/felidaearabica.htm & Doctoral Dissertation eBook : https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/59397999/doctorate-dissertationfelidae-arabica-by-norman-ali-bassam-khalaf-doctor-of-science-ashwood-universityusa-2007 Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (Gründer) (seit September 2007). Yahoo! Deutschland Group: Fauna Arabica. http://de.groups.yahoo.com/group/Fauna_Arabica/ Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2007). Haywanat Filistin (Fauna of Palestine). In: Wikipedia-Arabic, Al-Mawsu'a Al-Hurra (The Free Encyclopedia). Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 69, September 2007, Sha’ban 1428 AH. pp. 1-4. (Article in Arabic). http://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%AD%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A7 %D8%AA_%D9%81%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%86 Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2009). Flora and Fauna in Palestine. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288.

Number 91, July 2009, Rajab 1430 AH. pp. 1-31. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://flora-fauna-palestine.webs.com/ Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2009). Fauna Palaestina – Part One. A Zoological Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1983 – 2006 / Fauna Palaestina – Teil Eins. Eine Zoologische Reise in Palästina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1983 – 2006. ISBN 978-9948-03-865-8. Erste Auflage/First Edition, September 2009: 412 Seiten/Pages. Self Publisher: Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Khalaf-von Jaffa, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates & Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Bundesrepublik Deutschland. http://dr-norman-ali-khalaf-books.webs.com/faunapalaestinapart1.htm & eBook: https://www.yumpu.com/xx/document/view/59498633/fauna-palaestina-1-bookGazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin - ISSN 0178-6288 - Volume 40 – Number 206 – February 2022

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by-dr-norman-ali-khalaf-2009 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2010). Fauna Emiratus - Part One. Zoological Studies in the United Arab Emirates between 2004 - 2009. / Fauna Emiratus – Teil Eins. Zoologische Studien in die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate zwischen 2004 - 2009. ISBN 978-9948-15-462-4. Erste Auflage/First Edition, November 2010: 350 Seiten / Pages. Self Publisher: Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dubai and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates & Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Bundesrepublik Deutschland. http://dr-norman-ali-khalaf-books.webs.com/faunaemiratuspart1.htm & eBook: https://www.yumpu.com/xx/document/view/59546804/fauna-emiratuspart-1-zoological-studies-in-the-united-arab-emirates-between-2004-2009-by-drnorman-ali-bassam-khalaf-von-jaffa-2010 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2012). Fauna Palaestina – Part Two. Zoological Studies in Palestine between 1983 – 2009/ Fauna Palaestina – Teil Zwei.

Zoologische Studien in Palästina zwischen 1983 – 2009. ISBN 978-9948-16-667-2. 1.

Auflage / First Edition : July 2012, Shaaban 1433 H.208 Seiten / Pages (Arabic Part 120 Pages and the English Part 88 Pages). Publisher: Dar Al Jundi Publishing House, Jerusalem, Palestine. http://dr-norman-ali-khalafbooks.webs.com/faunapalaestinapart2.htm & eBook: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/59602956/fauna-palaestina-part-2book-by-dr-norman-ali-khalaf-von-jaffa-2012 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2013). Fauna Palaestina – Part Three.

Zoological Studies in Palestine between 2005 – 2012/ Fauna Palaestina – Teil Drei.

Zoologische Studien in Palästina zwischen 2005 – 2012. ISBN 978-9950-383-35-7. Erste Auflage / First Edition : July 2013, Shaaban 1434 H.364 Seiten / Pages (English / German Part 350 Pages and the Arabic Part 14 Pages). Publisher: Dar Al Jundi Publishing House, Jerusalem, Palestine. http://dr-norman-ali-khalafbooks.webs.com/faunapalaestinapart3.htm & eBook: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/62740914/fauna-palaestina-part-3year-2013-by-dr-norman-ali-bassam-khalaf-von-jaffa-isbn-978-9950-383-35-7 Khalaf, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (16.10.2013). Prof. Dr. Norman Khalaf and the Giraffe. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZV2lAj8lXo Khalaf, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (24.12.2013). Nora Khalaf feeding the Giraffe at Dubai Zoo. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxnWEIVmWqs Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2014). Fauna Palaestina – Part Four.

Zoological Studies in Palestine between 1983 – 2014/ Fauna Palaestina – Teil Vier.

Zoologische Studien in Palästina zwischen 1983 – 2014. ISBN978-9950-383-77-7. Erste Auflage / First Edition : July 2014, Ramadan 1435 H. pp. 456 (English part 378 pages and Arabic part 78 pages). Publisher: Dar Al Jundi Publishing House, Al-Quds (Jerusalem), State of Palestine. http://fauna-palaestina-part1.webs.com/faunapalaestina4.htm & eBook: https://www.yumpu.com/fr/document/view/62741122/book-fauna-palaestina-4year-2014-by-prof-dr-norman-ali-bassam-khalaf-von-jaffa-isbn-978-9950-383-77-7 Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2014).

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Dinasurat Al Quds (Dinosaurs of Jerusalem). Dialogue with Prof. Dr. Norman Khalafvon Jaffa. National Geographic Arabiya Magazine (October 2014, Pages 52--53). https://www.flickr.com/photos/50022881@N00/15412670595 Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2015). Plants and Animals unique to Palestine. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 125, May 2015. pp. 1-18. Dubai and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://flora-fauna-palestine-2.webs.com/ Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2015). Fauna Palaestina – Part Five.

Zoological Studies in Palestine between 1983 – 2016/ Fauna Palaestina – Teil Fünf.

Zoologische Studien in Palästina zwischen 1983 – 2016. ISBN 978-9950-383-92-0. Erste Auflage / First Edition : July 2015, Ramadan 1436 H. 448 pp. (English Part 304 Pages and the Arabic Part 144 Pages). Publisher: Dar Al Jundi Publishing House, Al-Quds (Jerusalem), State of Palestine. http://fauna-palaestina-books.webs.com/ & eBook (Google Drive): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C9Vo6oBn4AAYB7XnpeIGgEXgOBZFzar6/view?us p=sharing Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2016).

Haywanat Falastin (Fauna of Palestine) ‫ حيوانات فلسطين‬. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 144, December 2016, pp. 1-18. Dubai and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (In Arabic). http://animals-of-palestine-2.webs.com/fauna-ofpalestine-arabic Khalaf, Sharif Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Mohammad Ahmad Ahmad Mostafa Abdallah Mohammad (Abu Nora) (2018). The Family of Sharif Hajji Taher Mohammad Ahmad Ahmad Mostafa Khalaf (Abu Othman). A Pictorial History Book of a Palestinian Family from Jaffa in the Twentieth Century. ISBN 978-9950-974-40-1. First Edition, October 2018, Safar 1440 Hijri. 120 pp. In Arabic. Publisher: Prof. Dr. Norman Khalaf Department for Environmental Research and media, National Research Center, University of Palestine, Gaza, State of Palestine. https://family-taherkhalaf.webs.com/ & eBook: https://www.yumpu.com/xx/document/view/62242473/book-family-taher-khalaf2018 Khalaf, Prof. Dr. Norman Al I (22.06.2020). Petting the Reticulated or Somali Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) at the Emirates Park Zoo in Abu Dhabi, UAE. World Giraffe Day 21.06.2020. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10158330423279831&set=pob.560519830 Khalaf-Prinz Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Sharif Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Mohammad Ahmad Ahmad Mostafa Abdallah Mohammad (February 2022). The Lower Miocene Libyan Giraffe (Zarafa zelteni Hamilton, 1973) Fossils from Gaza City, State of Palestine. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Volume (Band) 40, Number 206, February 2022, Seiten(S) pp. 1-21. Published by Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Khalaf Department for Environmental Research and Media, National Research Center, University of Palestine, Gaza, State of Palestine. (With English and Arabic abstracts). https://palestine-fossils.webs.com/zarafa-zelteni Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin - ISSN 0178-6288 - Volume 40 – Number 206 – February 2022

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The author petting the Reticulated or Somali Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) at the Emirates Park Zoo in Abu Dhabi, UAE ... Photo: Ola Khalaf ... 16.05.2014. https://www.flickr.com/photos/50022881@N00/17265835701/ Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin - ISSN 0178-6288 - Volume 40 – Number 206 – February 2022

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Above photo: Aerial view of the central island of Jameat Al-Duwal Al-Arabiyah (Arab League) Street in Gaza City, opposite Al-Quds Hospital, where the Gaza Giraffe fossils were found ..

Bottom photo from the inauguration of a new Kindergarten in Gaza on 16.07.2020, showing the central island, opposite Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza .. Pictures provided by Jeehad Sharkawi.

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Morales J, Soria D, Thomas H. (1987). Les Giraffidae (Artiodactyla, Mammalia) d'Al Jadidah du Miocène Moyen de la Formation Hofuf (Province du Hasa, Arabie Saoudite). Geobios.1987; 20(4):441–467.

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The Palestinian Film “Giraffada”. https://www.facebook.com/reelpalestine/photos/pcb.763119783741961/763119387075334/ Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin - ISSN 0178-6288 - Volume 40 – Number 206 – February 2022

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Ríos M, Sánchez IM, Morales J. (2016). Comparative anatomy, phylogeny, and systematics of the Miocene giraffid Decennatherium pachecoi Crusafont, 1952 (Mammalia, Ruminantia, Pecora): state of the art. J Vertebr Paleontol. 2016; e1187624. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2016.1187624.

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Solounias N, Danowitz M. (2016). The Giraffidae of Maragheh and the identification of a new species of Honanotherium. 2016; 96: 489.

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The author feeding the Reticulated or Somali Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) at the Emirates Park Zoo in Abu Dhabi, UAE ... My beloved daughter Nora Khalaf is sitting to the right taking pictures of the giraffe ... Photo by my beloved wife Ola Khalaf ... 16.05.2014.

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