Lion, leopard, and tiger are all big cats. In modern zoological classification, these three species are grouped under which common genus name?

Introduction / Context:
Taxonomy groups related species into hierarchies such as genus and family. Large wild cats such as the lion, leopard, and tiger share many anatomical and behavioural characteristics, and they are placed together in one genus. Many general knowledge and biology questions test whether students know the genus name that unites these big cats. This question asks specifically for the genus that includes lion, leopard, and tiger.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The species mentioned are lion, leopard, and tiger.
• The options list different genus names, some of which are actually used for other groups.
• We assume knowledge of basic taxonomy for big cats.
• We also assume that the correct genus is included among the options.

Concept / Approach:
In modern classification, lion is Panthera leo, tiger is Panthera tigris, and leopard is Panthera pardus. The genus Panthera includes the roaring big cats. Smaller cats, such as domestic cats, are placed in genus Felis. Solanum is a plant genus that includes potato and tomato. Canis includes dogs, wolves, and related animals. Therefore, the correct genus that contains lion, leopard, and tiger is Panthera.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the scientific names of the big cats mentioned in the question. Step 2: Lion is scientifically named Panthera leo, tiger is Panthera tigris, and leopard is Panthera pardus. Step 3: Identify the common genus term shared by these names, which is Panthera. Step 4: Compare this with the options and find Panthera listed as option C. Step 5: Confirm that the other genera listed are either plant genera or belong to different animal groups.

Verification / Alternative check:
We can verify by recalling that genus Felis contains smaller cats such as Felis catus for the domestic cat, while genus Panthera is reserved for big cats that can roar, including lion, tiger, leopard, and jaguar. Genus Canis covers dogs and wolves, while Solanum is associated with plants, not animals. The specific epithets leo, tigris, and pardus attached to Panthera in the scientific names further confirm that these three big cats are grouped in genus Panthera.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A: Solanum is a genus of flowering plants and includes species such as Solanum tuberosum (potato), so it is unrelated to cats. Option B: Tigris is the specific epithet in Panthera tigris and is not the genus name. It refers only to tiger, not to the group including lion and leopard. Option D: Felis is the genus of small cats such as the domestic cat and does not include the large roaring cat species. Option E: Canis is the genus for dogs, wolves, and similar animals and has nothing to do with lions, leopards, or tigers.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may confuse the genus Felis with Panthera because both contain cat species. Another common mistake is to treat a specific epithet like tigris as if it were a genus. To avoid this, remember that in a scientific name, the first word is always the genus and the second word is the species or specific epithet. Associating the roaring big cats with Panthers and hence Panthera can also serve as a simple memory aid.

Final Answer:
Lion, leopard, and tiger are all grouped under the genus Panthera in zoological classification.