Which specific species is cited as the typical donkey parent of a zonkey?
Answer
*Equus asinus*
The biological identity of the donkey parent contributing to the zonkey hybrid is specified precisely as the species *Equus asinus*. This species provides half of the necessary genetic material for the hybrid. The other parent is typically a zebra species, such as the Plains zebra (*Equus quagga*) or the Mountain zebra (*Equus zebra*). The clear designation of *Equus asinus* is crucial for taxonomic understanding because it establishes the zonkey as an interspecific hybrid resulting from two distinct species within the *Equus* genus, distinguishing it from crosses like the zorse (zebra-horse cross).

Related Questions
What are the alternative colloquial terms for a zonkey, besides zonkey?Which specific species is cited as the typical donkey parent of a zonkey?To which shared Genus must a zebra and donkey belong for a viable zonkey cross?What term describes the zonkey resulting from two different species in the same genus?What causes the universal sterility observed in the zonkey hybrid?What is the umbrella term for any hybrid involving a zebra and another equine species?Where is the zebra striping generally most prominent and darkest on a zonkey?Whose body structure tends to dominate, resulting in a sturdier build for the zonkey?What taxonomic Order includes the zonkey's parents, defined as odd-toed ungulates?Which hybrid is specifically noted as a zebra-horse cross, distinct from the zonkey?What process is halted by the chromosomal mismatch in the zonkey lineage continuation?