Zoochat Wildlife Quiz

[Dassie rat]

Well done, Tetzoo Quizzer. You're right.

Now it's your turn

 

[Tetzoo Quizzer]

Edwin Colbert identified an ancient artefact as a depiction of a Sivathere; it was then reidentified firstly as a different Artiodactyl; it is now accepted as a third species; what exactly is the current identification?

 

[Dassie rat]

A semi-domesticated Persian fallow deer?

 

[Tetzoo Quizzer]

That was the first reidentification.

 

[Tetzoo Quizzer]

Hmm! Yesterday, when I set the question there appeared to be a compelling reidentification as a Red Deer or Maral rather than a Persian Fallow, but trying to investigate this further all I can find is one casual reference. As a result, I am now convinced that the Fallow is the current favourite interpretation; Dassie Rat, your turn...

 

[Dassie rat]

Thanks, Tetzoo Quizzer

I couldn't find an alternative answer.

Some adventurers travelled in a 'mollusc shell', possibly to find which artiodactyl?

 

[Tim May]

Some adventurers travelled in a 'mollusc shell', possibly to find which artiodactyl?

It has been suggested that the golden fleece Jason & the Argonauts were searching for was the golden takin.
(And argonanauts are molluscs also called paper nautilus.)

 

[Dassie rat]

That's right, Tim. Well done.

I've also read that the golden fleece may have been byssal threads from mussels.

Now it's your turn

 

[Tim May]

What specie of artiodactyl is named after somebody who made an extensive study of Buddhism?

 

[Gavialis]

Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii), after Brian Houghton Hodgson?

 

[Tim May]

Indeed the chiru was named after Brian Houghton Hodgson. Of course, Hodgson had several other species (not artiodactyls) named after him too. And Hodgson named several species himself including the pygmy hog Porcula salvania.

Your turn now.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Indeed the chiru was named after Brian Houghton Hodgson. Of course, Hodgson had several other species (not artiodactyls) named after him too. And Hodgson named several species himself including the pygmy hog Porcula salvania.

Your turn now.

Really interesting to read, you are like an encyclopedia of natural history and the history of natural history.

 

[Gavialis]

During the mid 20th century, rumours arose that Joseph Stalin was actually the illegitimate child of a famous naturalist. Who was this naturalist and which three artiodactyl species did he scientifically describe?

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

During the mid 20th century, rumours arose that Joseph Stalin was actually the illegitimate child of a famous naturalist. Who was this naturalist and which three artiodactyl species did he scientifically describe?

Oh I know this one.

Its Przhevalsky, there is indeed a strong resemblance, though who knows if there was anything substantial to that rumour.

I can only name the Przewalski horse, I have no idea about the other two.

 

[Dassie rat]

The other two are the Przewalski's gazelle and the wild Bactrian camel.

If we're right, O.C., you can set the next question

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

The other two are the Przewalski's gazelle and the wild Bactrian camel.

If we're right, O.C., you can set the next question

Am I sticking with the current Artiodactyl theme ?

 

[Dassie rat]

I think so, OC, although I haven't been counting the questions.

 

[Tim May]

You've missed white-lipped deer (also known as Thorold's deer) which Przewalski did describe. But he didn't describe Przewalski's gazelle.

 

[Dassie rat]

Thinking about it, the Przewalski's horse isn't an artiodactyl, Tim.

 

[Tim May]

Thinking about it, the Przewalski's horse isn't an artiodactyl, Tim.

That's right and Przewalski didn't describe that either; you're not supposed to name a species after yourself.