In zoological nomenclature, Equus burchellii is the scientific (binomial) name of which animal species?

Introduction / Context:
Scientific names follow the binomial system, in which each species is given a two part Latin or Latinised name consisting of a genus and a specific epithet. Members of the horse family (Equidae), such as horses, asses, and zebras, all share the genus name Equus, but their species names differ. Recognising common scientific names is a frequent requirement in biology and general science exams. This question asks which animal is referred to by the scientific name Equus burchellii.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The binomial name given is Equus burchellii.
- The genus Equus includes horses, asses (donkeys), and zebras.
- Options include horse, zebra, buffalo, and ass.
- Buffalo is not an equid and thus will not have Equus as its genus name.

Concept / Approach:
Equus is the genus for equids, including the domesticated horse (Equus caballus), the donkey or ass (Equus asinus), and several species of zebras (for example, historically Equus burchellii for Burchell's zebra). Equus burchellii has been used as the scientific name for the plains zebra, a striped wild equid found in African savannas and grasslands. Since horse and ass have different species names (caballus and asinus), and buffalo belongs to a completely different genus, the correct answer is zebra. The striped pattern and habitat of zebras make them distinctive within the Equus genus.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that the genus Equus indicates an equid: horse, ass, or zebra. Step 2: Recall that the domestic horse is commonly referred to as Equus caballus, not Equus burchellii. Step 3: Remember that the domestic donkey or ass is termed Equus asinus, again different from burchellii. Step 4: Identify that Equus burchellii refers to a zebra species, historically Burchell's or plains zebra. Step 5: Note that buffalo is not in the genus Equus, so it cannot be the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Zoology texts and field guides to African mammals list plains or Burchell's zebra under the genus Equus, with species names such as burchellii used historically. They describe its habitat as African grasslands and its distinctive black and white stripes. Horses and donkeys appear under different species names within Equus, and buffaloes are listed under genera such as Bubalus or Syncerus, not Equus. These classifications confirm that the binomial Equus burchellii belongs to a zebra.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Horse, the domestic riding animal, is typically given the scientific name Equus caballus, not Equus burchellii.
Buffalo, a large bovine, belongs to a different genus (for example, Bubalus or Syncerus) and cannot have Equus as its generic name.
Ass (donkey), a small equid, is referred to as Equus asinus rather than Equus burchellii.

Common Pitfalls:
Because all members of the horse family share the genus Equus, students sometimes assume any Equus species name could refer to horse or donkey. To avoid confusion, it helps to remember a few key associations: caballus for horse, asinus for ass, and burchellii for plains zebra. Also recall that the zebra is the striped wild relative of the horse in African savannas. Keeping these specific links in mind will help you quickly recognise Equus burchellii as a zebra in exams.

Final Answer:
Equus burchellii is the scientific name of the Zebra, the striped wild equid of African grasslands.