Hyaena. On the naming and localisation of an enigmatic animal

Textbook , 2010 , 151 Pages

Biology - Zoology

Abstract
The habitat of the four extant hyena species covers all of Africa and large parts of Asia. Hyenas living in this enormous area have been described by local and western observers for more than 2000 years. Many names have been given to the hyenas in the wide range of languages in which they have been described and several legends and wrong ideas about hyenas have also been spread.
In the present study we want to retrace how the wrong perceptions about the hyena, the “histoires absurdes” as Comte de Buffon has called them, developed and how they were overcome by several scholars in a protracted process. Due to their research work we know today that the mysterious animal “hyaena” comprises four species which together build up the Hyaenidae family. We will start by introducing these species shortly (chap. 2).
Thereafter we return to the beginning of the hyena history and outline the classical Greco-Roman reports on the hyena and how until the Renaissance and beyond these modelled the occidental perceptions of this animal (chap. 3). Then we examine how the single members of the Hyaenidae family were discovered, described and named by later naturalists and zoologists. In chronological order these were the striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), the brown hyena (Parahyaena brunnea) and finally the aardwolf (Proteles cristatus) (chap. 4 and 5).
Special attention is paid to the first zoological description of the striped hyena by the traveller and naturalist Engelbert Kaempfer from the end of the 17th century. The value of this widely unknown report lies in the fact that it actually made the breakthrough to overcome the confused and puzzling ideas about the hyena which had prevailed up to that time (chap. 4).
We conclude our survey with a chapter on “imaginary” hyenas in which we deal with animals that have been mistaken for real hyenas. In one of these cases the imagined hyena was apparently nothing but a fantasy creature, comprising nevertheless characteristic traits of two real hyena species (chap. 6).
The descriptions of the discovery, naming and localisation of the hyena species are followed by two appendices which contain extensive original source texts (some of which are available in translation for the first time) and pictorial material.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• The systematic status of the hyena today.
• Confusion - the hyena in the older zoological discourse.
• The zoological basics (Gesner, Aldrovandi)
• Hyena descriptions from antiquity to Renaissance
• Breakthrough – Engelbert Kaempfer's report on the Persian hyena (1712)………..
• The locality.
• Completion - The ascertainment of the entire Hyaenidae family.
• The protracted discovery of the spotted hyena (1681-1777)...
• C. P. Thunberg's primary description of the brown hyena (1820).
• The discovery and classification of the aardwolf (1783-1882).
• Imaginary hyenas....
• Papio.
• Lupus marinus
• Appendix A: Source texts.
• Ctesias of Cnidus on the Krokottas (fourth century B.C.)..
• Aristotle on the hyena (after 350 B.C.)
• Conrad Gesner on the Papio (1551).
• Pierre Belon on the Lupus marinus (1553)....
• Busbecq's report on hyenas in the Ottoman Empire (1581)
• Pietro della Valle on the Caftar (Persian striped hyena) (1674).
• John Ray on the Papio, the badger and the hyena (1693).
• Willem Bosman on the Boshond (West African spotted hyena) (1704).
• Engelbert Kaempfer on the Persian (striped) hyena (1712)
• Peter Kolbe on the Tigerwolf (South African spotted hyena) (1719).
• J. C. P. Erxleben (1777) and Thomas Pennant (1771) on the spotted hyena
• Anders Sparrman on the aardwolf (1783)
• Carl Peter Thunberg on the brown hyena (Hyaena brunnea) (1820)
• Andrew Smith on the brown hyena (Hyaena villosa) (1827).
• Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire on the Proteles (aardwolf) (1824).
• Appendix B: Illustrations
• Pictorial material....
• Pioneers in hyena research
• Bibliography

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This work aims to trace the history of the hyena's naming and localization in zoological discourse, exploring the evolution of scientific understanding of the animal from antiquity to the modern era. It focuses on the process of discovery, classification, and the eventual establishment of the Hyaenidae family.

• The development of zoological knowledge about hyenas over time.
• The impact of early travelers and naturalists on the understanding of hyenas.
• The challenges of classifying and distinguishing different hyena species.
• The role of scientific observations and reports in the development of taxonomic categories.
• The influence of myths, legends, and cultural perceptions on the scientific understanding of hyenas.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The introduction sets the stage for the book by discussing the current systematic status of hyenas and highlighting the historical confusion surrounding their classification. This is followed by an exploration of the zoological basics, drawing on the work of prominent naturalists like Gesner and Aldrovandi. The text then delves into the history of hyena descriptions from antiquity to the Renaissance, examining early accounts and their limitations. A key turning point is marked by the report of Engelbert Kaempfer on the Persian hyena in 1712, which contributed significantly to the understanding of hyenas. Further chapters cover the discovery and classification of the spotted, brown, and aardwolf hyenas, highlighting the contributions of various naturalists and explorers. The book concludes with an exploration of imaginary hyenas, focusing on accounts of the "Papio" and "Lupus marinus" and examining how these mythical creatures influenced the understanding of hyenas.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This work focuses on the history of zoology, particularly the naming and classification of hyenas. Key terms and concepts include: Hyaenidae, zoological discourse, taxonomic categories, scientific observation, early travelers, naturalists, myths, legends, cultural perceptions, and the influence of imaginary creatures. The book specifically examines the contributions of individuals like Gesner, Aldrovandi, Kaempfer, Thunberg, and Sparrman.

• Author: Holger Funk (Author)
• Publication Year: 2010
• Pages: 151
• Catalog Number: V155971
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640697670
• ISBN (Book): 9783640697847
• Language: English
• Tags: Hyena, Crocuta crocuta, Hyaena hyaena, Parahyaena brunea, Proteles cristatus, Engelbert Kämpfer, Linnaeus, spotted hyena, striped hyena, brown hyena, aardwolf