Asinus Explained

Asinus is a subgenus of Equus that encompasses several subspecies of the Equidae commonly known as wild asses, characterized by long ears, a lean, straight-backed build, lack of a true withers, a coarse mane and tail, and a reputation for considerable toughness and endurance.

The common donkey is the best-known domesticated representative of the subgenus, with both domesticated and feral varieties. Among the wild ass species, several never-domesticated species live in Asia and Africa, with the extinct European wild ass species formerly inhabiting Europe.

Taxonomy

• Genus: Equus
  • Subgenus: Asinus
    • African wild ass, Equus africanus^{[1] [2]}
      • Nubian wild ass, Equus africanus africanus
      • Somali wild ass, Equus africanus somaliensis
      • Atlas wild ass, †Equus africanus atlanticus (extinct 1st millienium AD)
      • Donkey, Equus africanus asinus
    • Onager or Asiatic wild ass, Equus hemionus
      • Mongolian wild ass or khulan, Equus hemionus hemionus
      • Indian wild ass or khur, Equus hemionus khur
      • Turkmenian kulan, Equus hemionus kulan^[3]
      • Persian onager or gur, Equus hemionus onager
      • Syrian wild ass or achdari, †Equus hemionus hemippus (extinct 1927)
    • Kiang or Tibetan wild ass, Equus kiang
      • Western kiang, Equus kiang kiang
      • Eastern kiang, Equus kiang holdereri
      • Southern kiang, Equus kiang polyodon
      • Northern kiang, Equus kiang chu
    • Hydruntine or European wild ass, †Equus hydruntinus (extinct 1st millennium BC)

External links

• Ass . x.

Notes and References

1. Book: Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference . Don E. Wilson & DeeAnn M. Reeder. Johns Hopkins University Press. 2005. 3rd. Equus asinus.
2. International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature. 2003. Usage of 17 specific names based on wild species which are pre-dated by or contemporary with those based on domestic animals (Lepidoptera, Osteichthyes, Mammalia): conserved. Opinion 2027 (Case 3010).. Bull. Zool. Nomencl.. 60. 1. 81–kksiss84. Summary.
3. Web site: Factsheet: Kulan | Common names: Turkmen Kulan, Turkmenian Wild Ass (Horses and Asses (Perissodactyla Equidae) > Equus hemionus > Equus hemionus kulan) . 2011-12-10 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120208132337/http://www.lhnet.org/kulan/ . 2012-02-08 .