Hyraxes Trivia Quiz

Answer: Procaviidae

The extant hyraxes belong to the family Procaviidae. This family includes three genera: Procavia (rock hyraxes), Dendrohyrax (tree hyraxes), and Heterohyrax (bush hyraxes)

The wrong answers are Pliohyracidae: this extinct family contains the genus Pliohyrrax, which lived during the Pliocene epoch. Megalohyracidae: an extinct family with genera such as Megalohyrax, which lived during the Oligocene epoch. Titanohyracidae: an extinct family containing the large, rhinoceros-like genus Titanohyrax, which lived during the Eocene epoch.

Answer: Sirenians

Hyraxes, along with elephants and sirenians (manatees and dugongs), are members of a group of mammals known as the Paenungulata. The Paenungulata is a clade within the superorder Afrotheria, which consists of mammals that originated and diversified in Africa.

Answer: Dendrohyrax dorsalis

The scientific name of the western tree hyrax is Dendrohyrax dorsalis. The genus name "Dendrohyrax" comes from the Greek words "dendro" meaning tree, and "hyrax" referring to the hyrax species. The species name "dorsalis" refers to the distinctive white dorsal stripe that runs along the back of this hyrax species.

Dendrohyrax arboreus is the scientific name of the Southern tree hyrax, Heterohyrax brucei is the scientific name of the bush hyrax and Dendrohyrax validus is the scientific name for the Eastern tree hyrax

Answer: Procavia capensis

Of the extant hyrax species, only one can be found outside of Africa: the rock hyrax (Procavia capensis). The rock hyrax has a broad distribution and can be found not only in Africa but also in parts of the Middle East, including the Arabian Peninsula, Jordan, Israel, and Lebanon. This makes it the most widespread species of hyrax and the only one that has managed to expand its range beyond the African continent.

The other hyrax species, including the tree hyraxes (Dendrohyrax) and the bush hyraxes (Heterohyrax), are endemic to Africa and are not found in other parts of the world.

Answer: Dendrohyrax

Tree hyraxes, which belong to the genus Dendrohyrax, are primarily nocturnal animals. This means they are more active during the night, spending most of their daytime hours resting or sleeping in trees, rock crevices, or other sheltered areas. Their nocturnal behavior helps them avoid predation and the heat of the day in their African habitats.

Heterohyrax is the genus of diurnal bush hyraxes. Procavia is the genus of diurnal rock hyrax while the Pliohyrax is the genus diurnal extinct Hyracoideans.

Answer: Rock hyrax and yellow-spotted hyrax

Heterospecific association refers to interactions or relationships between individuals of different species. These associations can occur in various forms and may be positive, negative, or neutral for the species involved.

Rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis) and bush hyraxes (Heterohyrax brucei) are known to form heterospecific associations in certain situations. These interactions can occur throughout the year but may be influenced by factors such as resource availability and predation pressure

Answer: False

Hyraxes have reduced tails or no visible tails due to their unique evolutionary history and adaptations. Their closest living relatives, elephants and sirenians (manatees and dugongs), also lack conspicuous tails. This characteristic is believed to be a result of their shared ancestry and their adaptation to different habitats and lifestyles.

Answer: Yellow-spotted hyrax

The yellow-spotted hyrax (Heterohyrax brucei) is the only obligate browser among hyrax species. Unlike other hyraxes, which have a more varied diet that includes fruits, flowers, and other plant material, the yellow-spotted hyrax primarily feeds on leaves and buds from trees and shrubs.

This unique feeding behavior sets the yellow-spotted hyrax apart from its relatives, making it an important part of the ecosystem by helping to control vegetation growth and promote biodiversity.

Answer: Hyposodont

Hypsodont cheek teeth are a type of dentition found in many herbivorous mammals, including rock hyraxes. These teeth are characterized by high crowns, long roots, and the ability to grow continuously throughout the animal's life

Brachyodont teeth are characterized by low crowns, short roots, and the absence of continuous growth while bunodont teeth have low, rounded cusps for crushing and grinding food, typical of omnivorous mammals. Lophodont teeth have elongated, crest-shaped cusps for shearing and slicing food, common in herbivorous and some carnivorous mammals.

Answer: Precocial

Precocial refers to the level of development and independence of offspring at birth or hatching. Precocial animals are born or hatched in a relatively advanced stage, with their eyes open, and are able to move around, feed themselves, and exhibit some level of behavioral independence. These traits contrast with those of altricial animals, which are born in a more helpless

Nidicolous: This term describes species whose offspring remain in the nest for an extended period after birth or hatching, relying on parental care for protection and nourishment. Semi-altricial animals may have some independence and mobility at birth or hatching but still require a significant amount of parental care.