Animals from Binomial Translations Quiz

Answer:

Binomial names are the formal scientific names given to animals. The binomial consists of two parts, namely the genus and the species, and is in Latin. Those words may be borrowed from other languages and Latinised. For animals, the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature governs the naming process. A different code applies to algae, fungi and plants, although there is much in common between them.

In naming, priority is normally given to the first person to describe it scientifically. Sometimes the animal has been known to humans for thousands of years and its common name (often in ancient Greek) provides the genus name. Sometimes it is a distinguishing feature from the fossil record, helping to link animals together into families. Occasionally, it is a behavioural trait or someone's bid for immortality using a Latinised name, such as Groves' dwarf lemur ( Cheirogaleus grovesi).

The first animal listed is the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). It shares characteristics with both bears and raccoons and so precise taxonomic classification proved difficult until genetics could be used to settle the argument. The genus 'Ailuro-poda' ('cat-foot') refers to the unique paw structure developed for gripping bamboo and which resembles a cat's foot. The species 'melano-leuca' ('black-white') can be seen in such words as melanin and leucocytes (white blood cells).

The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is the Australian marsupial with a pouch. Not classed as a bear, despite commonly called that, the wombat is its nearest relative. The binomial consists of an ancient Greek-derived genus and a Latin species name, consisting of 'phaskolos' ('pouch'), 'arktos' ('bear') and 'cinereus' ('ash coloured').

The common name 'platypus' comes from the ancient Greek words 'platús' ('broad', 'wide' or 'flat') and 'poús' ('foot') and this was the original genus name given in 1799. The name however had already been given to a beetle genus. So the binomial ended up being Ornithorhynchus anatinus, a combination of the first description (Platypus anatinus) and the second (Ornithorhynchus paradoxus). The ancient Greek-derived genus is 'ornith' ('bird') and 'rhúnkhos' ('snout' or 'beak'). The Latin species name comes from 'anas' ('duck').

The common name 'hippopotamus' is also the genus name. The genus name comes from the ancient Greek 'hippos' ('horse') and 'potamós' ('river'). The species part of the binomial, 'amphibius', is also derived from ancient Greek, namely 'amphi' ('both') and 'bios' ('life') with the Latin word meaning 'living both in water and on land'.

The capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), a water-loving rodent, is a relative of such animals as guinea pigs and rock cavies. It is native to South America. Both parts of the binomial are derived from ancient Greek. The genus consists of 'hýdor' ('water') and 'choíros' ('pig' or 'hog'). The species name changes 'choíros' for 'chairo' ('feel happy' or 'enjoy'). Although agile enough on land, the capybara is quite happy in the water or wallowing in mud. It can hold its breath underwater for up to five minutes which is useful for evading predators.

The short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) is the fast-tongued one with the name coming from ancient Greek. Its long sticky tongue is used to capture its ant and termite prey, flicking out of a mouth that cannot open more than 5 mm (0.2 in). This is coupled with powerful digging claws to provide a successful feeding strategy. The species name 'aculeatus' is from the Latin for 'spiny' or 'equipped with spines', which is certainly the case. It was first thought to be related to the giant anteater and so placed in the Myrmecophaga genus. It has since had four changes in binomial, including being placed in the same genus as the platypus. Like the platypus, it is a monotreme (an egg-laying mammal).

Originally considered part of the anteater family, the aardvark (Orycteropus afer) is the sole occupant of the genus Orycteropus which translates as 'digging-foot', derived from ancient Greek. The 'afer' part means 'African'. Its teeth are unique, tubular and without enamel. This placed it its own order (Tubulidenta) as well as its own genus. It is the sole surviving member of its order although there is fossil evidence of other members. DNA evidence later confirmed that it was not an anteater. In fact it is more closely related to elephants and manatees.

There are six or so species of sloth across two genera - the Bradypus ('slow-footed') genus and the Choloepus ('lame foot'). Both are found in Central and South America. These are all arboreal (tree-dwelling). The ground sloths (of which there were over 30 species) became extinct along with most other large animals in the Americas about 12,000 years ago, coinciding with the arrival of man in the Americas. Sloths have a very slow metabolism for their size which results in much slow movement, relatively little muscle mass, and a tendency to hang upside down from branches.

The African and Asian elephant genera are considered to have separated perhaps 6 - 9 millions years ago in Africa. The Asian elephant and the mammoth genera migrated out of Africa 3.2 - 3.6 million years ago. Consistent differences between the genera include tooth structure, skull shape, ear size and shape, and trunk tip. The Asian trunk tip has one 'finger' whilst the African species have two. An Asian elephant was first to be scientifically described and so got the Elephas genus name, coming from the ancient Greek common name. Subsequently the same genus name was proposed for the African species, however the African species were then recognised as belonging to a different genus. The second person to describe them proposed the Loxodonta genus (from ancient Greek 'loxós' ('slanting' or 'crosswise') and 'odoús' ('tooth')), thus in the binomial uses the tooth shape to separate the genera.

'Pebble skin' (from the ancient Greek words kroko and deilos) no doubt refers to the texture of a crocodile's skin. The main Crocodylus genus contains just over a dozen extant species found in the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australia. They are all tropical species and, unlike alligators, are sensitive to cold. One useful trait is the ability to replace their teeth as many as fifty times in their lifespan.

The Aha ha was named by an American entomologist Arnold S. Menke. He has named over a dozen taxon, including a second wasp species (Aha evansi) in the Aha genus.