Living BeingsCompare species
Maize
Zea mays
African Savanna Elephant
Loxodonta africana
How to compare two organisms
Choose two species and trace their closest shared group. Then compare a trait with the same definition on each side. Check the units, life stage and context before interpreting a measurement or range.
Missing data means that the collection lacks a sourced value. Where a characteristic does not apply to a lineage, the comparison labels it separately. Open the two profiles for context and follow their sources before drawing a conclusion.
Evidence from the profiles
Compare their characteristics
| Trait | Maize | African Savanna Elephant |
|---|---|---|
| Physical traits | An upright stem carries broad leaves. Tassels form near the top, while ears develop in leaf axils. | Broad ears, a long trunk and column-like legs give the animal its familiar outline. The trunk tip has two finger-like projections. Both sexes can develop tusks. |
| Habitat and range | Cultivation depends on suitable warmth, light, water and soil conditions. Different cultivars are adapted to different growing environments. | Savannas and open woodland provide a shifting mixture of browse, grass, shade and drinking water. Seasonal water availability influences the places that herds use. |
| Diet and nutrition | Leaves produce sugars that support growth and developing kernels. Mature grain stores substantial reserves for germination. | Grasses, leaves, bark and other plant material make up its diet. The trunk gathers food and moves it to the mouth. |
| Behavior and activity | Flowering and grain filling respond to seasonal conditions. Wind moves pollen between tassels and receptive silks. | Female relatives and their young form long-lasting social groups. Older females hold knowledge of familiar routes and resources; adult males have a different pattern of association. |
| Reproduction and life cycle | A seed germinates into an annual plant. Fertilization through the silks leads to kernels on the ear, each representing a separate developing grain. | Calves are born alive and depend on milk and extended social care. Learning from other elephants is an important part of growing up. |
| Geographic distribution | Maize is cultivated widely outside its American domestication region. Agricultural range should be distinguished from native wild-relative distributions. | Native to sub-Saharan Africa. This account follows the savanna-elephant species concept rather than treating all African elephants as one species. |
| Ecological role | Maize is central to agricultural food webs and supplies food and habitat for many associated organisms. | Feeding and movement alter vegetation, and dung transfers seeds and nutrients. Habitat fragmentation and killing for ivory threaten populations. |
| Distinctive adaptations | Domestication has concentrated large numbers of kernels on ears, accompanied by extensive cultivar diversity. | Data unavailable |
| Conservation | Preserving landraces, breeding resources and wild relatives is different from assessing crop abundance. | Data unavailable |
Classification
Shared ancestry
Closest shared taxon: Eukaryota.