Lioness with a Mane: Causes and Subspecies

[caters]

I know some males are maneless. In particular the Tsavo subspecies of lion.

maneless males

That is mainly because of living in arid climates where a mane would make the lion overheat and also hunting with the lionesses.

I also know that some lionesses have manes. The mane tends to be light on a maned lioness. I don't know which subspecies of lion has more maned lionesses.
http://blog.boundlessjourneys.com/files/2009/02/lions.jpg
Maned lioness

But why would some lionesses have manes? Hasn't it been selected over millions of years for lionesses to not have manes, even in cold areas?

 

[DaveC426913]

Some ideas:

Due to the location of the maned females, the prevalence of the condition and the symptoms it is unlikely not to be a genetic trait – but this still needs to be confirmed,” Simon adds. Given what we know now, it seems quite likely that Mmamoriri’s condition developed in the womb. There are certain genetic conditions which may result in exposure of the foetus to excess androgens, which could result in the development of male sex characteristics in females. In the lion’s case, this may present as a mane and slightly larger body size.

Simon’s data analysis has further revealed that genetically, the lions of the Okavango Delta are more isolated than lions from elsewhere in northern Botswana. This means that there has been somewhat limited movement of genetic material between the Okavango and surrounding conservation areas. This type of isolation over time may cause certain genetic traits, such as Mmamoriri’s, to increase in frequency. - See more at: http://africageographic.com/blog/un...oriri-the-maned-lioness/#sthash.1ExPHyfc.dpuf

http://africageographic.com/blog/unravelling-the-mystery-of-mmamoriri-the-maned-lioness/

http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2012/10/09/weird-wild-rare-maned-lionesses-explained/