Which of the following best describes the relationship between jaguars and panthers? a. Panthers and jaguars are separate species. b. Panthers are jaguars with predominantly dark or black pigmentation. c. Juvenile jaguars are black and called panthers. d. During winter Jaguars’ coats change from spotted to black.

Question

anonymous · Answer

@logierawrz Panther is a term for black morphology of large cats. The term is actually applied to more than just jaguars; it is also used for leopards and a few other cats.

alphadxg · Answer

A. Panthers and jaguars are separate species

anonymous · Answer

FYI, the genus name of jaguars is Panthera.

alphadxg · Answer

"Panther" is a generic term that also refers to leopards (especially black ones) and cougars. "Jaguar" is a specific animal; Panthera onca.

anonymous · Answer

@alphadxg Yes, and the black morphology of jaguars is frequently called panther, just as the black morphology of African leopards and cougars. Really, the question has not proper answer, because both A and B are true.

alphadxg · Answer

@mrdoldum Hmmmmm.... I still think that A would be a more appropriate answer though. If I had to choose between the two I would stick with 'A' Original poster.

anonymous · Answer

@alphadxg I can understand your reasoning, but I don't think it works. I don't think mine really works that well either. If we were in South America everyone would think us dumb for saying that panther and jaguar are not the same species. In Africa, we would be dumb to call the the same species. 

This is the problem with common names and questions like this. I hope the person has more context outside this post to help him decide which answer the teacher wants, which is so unfair. Students should never have to figure out which answer of equally legitimate answers the teacher wants.

anonymous · Answer

B. panthers are jaguars with predominately dark or black pigmentation (e2020)