Hyaena. On the naming and localisation of an enigmatic animal

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.