The bulk update request #2230 is active.

create alias zorilla (2) -> striped_polecat (8)

Reason: The zorilla is the striped_polecat (Ictonyx striatus ) under another name. A polecat by any other name would still stink as bad.

Fun fact: The striped polecat isn't a skunk. It's a weasel that happens to have independently developed skunk-like traits in an example of convergent evolution.

EDIT: The bulk update request #2230 (forum #330424) has been approved by @slyroon.

I agree these would best be aliased. However, I slightly prefer this in reverse, personally. Zorilla is the one tag of the two in actual use so far, and it already has a wiki page. In addition, striped_polecat could possibly be confused by some users for a species of felid, whereas zorilla is a perfectly unique name.But either way it goes, the resulting tag should also imply mustelid, yes?

Nevermind, I was looking at the wrong tag.

scaliespe said:
I agree these would best be aliased. However, I slightly prefer this in reverse, personally. Zorilla is the one tag of the two in actual use so far, and it already has a wiki page.

Actually, striped_polecat does indeed have a wiki entry —> https://e621.net/wiki_pages/24300 . When I originally posted the above on a tablet (ugh), there was an extra space in the tag in the Reason (now corrected).

In addition, striped_polecat could possibly be confused by some users for a species of felid, whereas zorilla is a perfectly unique name.

Unless they're Spanish, in which case, they could mistake "zorilla" for a little fox.

But either way it goes, the resulting tag should also imply mustelid, yes?

The zorilla entry didn't exist then, but the striped_polecat (no space) already did (albeit in a bare bones fashion), with an implication chain of striped_polecat —> ictonyx —> musteline —> mustelid.

clawstripe said:
Actually, striped_polecat does indeed have a wiki entry —> https://e621.net/wiki_pages/24300 . When I originally posted the above on a tablet (ugh), there was an extra space in the tag in the Reason (now corrected).

Ok, that explains it. Nevermind. Haha

Wow... never heard about the "Zorrillas".

Guess that niches very similar have to be opened both in North America and Africa, for this convergent evolution. Even the aposematic pattern in the fur, is similar !!

Regarding the independent evolution of the similar defense mechanism, maybe is not that suprising. Have you ever wondered why dogs greet each other smelling their butts? They have specialized odour glands, that identify very precisely each individual. Skunks, "Zorrillas" and dogs (= wolves)... are all members of the (current) order "Carnivora".

If you make those glands grow really big, and use organic substances with radical groups of sulphur (thiol, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiol ), you could weaponize it. The smell receptors in the nose do not adapt fast to sulphur organics substances... in fact, some of these substances are added to domestic gas, to try warn users and prevent accidents. Well, at least that happens with skunks...

Interesting.

=).

scaliespe said:
Ok, that explains it. Nevermind. Haha

That's okay. It was my fault for inadvertently leaving the space in.

mexicanfurry said:
Guess that niches very similar have to be opened both in North America and Africa, for this convergent evolution. Even the aposematic pattern in the fur, is similar !!

As well as Australia when it comes to the striped possum. Africa also has honey badgers, striped weasels, and maned rats sporting similar colorations and schticks.

The bulk update request #2230 (forum #330424) has been approved by @slyroon.