Page 108 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

92 Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant

fox has a denser hair coat than the red fox because of the
TIP BOX 6.1
environment in which it lives. There are many varieties of
A mnemonic for remembering the Linnaean System of fox around the world and each has its own species,
Classification: whereas a dog is Canis famililiaris whether it is a Great
Kings Playing Cards On Fine Gold Seats Dane or a Chihuahua. This is because all dogs came from
Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species one genotype but were bred selectively by humans for
various desirable traits. By selecting certain genetic traits
and species and is usually written in italics. For example, or mutations based on phenotype or external characteris-
the domestic dog’s scientific name is Canis (genus) famili- tics (coat length, color and texture, length of legs, shape
liaris (species). Note the genus is always capitalized, and of head, ears, and tail), humans also selected for behavior
the species follows starting with a small letter. Table 6.1 or an innate ability to perform a job and so developed
shows the genus and species names of the companion ani- hundreds of breeds of dogs. Dog still exists within its
mals and livestock commonly seen in veterinary practice. genus but looks and behaves in a myriad of ways. The fol-
Also included in the table is the signalment term used lowing are some examples of how breeds were developed
under species in a medical record. The signalment term is using phenotypes, function, and behaviors.
not italicized nor does it always have to be capitalized.
In addition to the signalment term for genus and
species there is a term for each male, female, and off- Phenotypes
spring of the species. To further clarify an animal’s
identification, specific terms are used for neutered or Specific coat pattern – Angora rabbits (long hair) over
castrated animals. Table 6.2 shows a list of terms for New Zealand Whites (short hair)
males, females (altered and unaltered), and offspring. Coat colors – Appaloosa (spotted coat) over a chestnut
Within each genus of animal there are several species
horse (solid colored coat)
as developed by nature based upon environmental cir- Looks – English Bulldog (brachiocephalic face) over a
cumstances. For example, let us compare an Arctic fox Greyhound (dolichocephalic face)
with a red fox (Figure 6.1). Both are in the order Function – Clydesdale draft horse over a thoroughbred
Carnivora, family Canidae, both are the same genus but race horse
are different species. The Arctic fox is Vulpes lagopus and Behaviors – Working dogs (German Shepherds) over
the red fox is Vulpes vulpes. Both look like foxes, both act non‐sporting dogs (Poodles)
like foxes, but they are uniquely different. The Arctic fox
has a gray to black coat in the summer and a white coat in All these characteristics and behaviors can be brought
the winter. The red fox stays red all year long. The Arctic about by the manipulation of genetic traits.

TABLE 6.1

Genus Species and Signalment Term of Companion Animals and Livestock
Animal Genus Species Common term
Dog Canis familiaris Canine
Cat Felis domesticus Feline
Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus Lagomorph
Ferret Mustela putorius furo Ferret
Guinea Pig Cavia porcellus Cavi
Hamster Mesocricetus auratus Hamster
Gerbil Meriones unguiculatus Gerbil
Mouse Mus musculus Mucadae
Rat Rattus norvegicus domestica Rattus
Horse Equus caballus Equine
Cattle Bos taurus Bovine
Sheep Ovis aries Ovine
Goat Capra aegagrus hircus Laprine
Pig Sus scrofa domesticus Porcine
Bird Many names Avian