How was the extinct Quagga classified in relation to *Equus quagga*?
Answer
As a subspecies, *Equus quagga quagga*
The now-extinct Quagga was historically classified as a subspecies of the Plains zebra, specifically designated as *Equus quagga quagga*. This creature exhibited extreme variation in striping; it only possessed stripes on its head, neck, and forequarters, with the posterior half of its body being plain brownish-white. The debate among scientists regarding whether the Quagga was truly a separate species or merely an extreme phenotypic expression within the Plains zebra subspecies highlights the fine lines involved in taxonomic classification. Its extinction serves as a profound example of how subtle morphological variations within a species can be lost permanently.
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