The more time that I spend on this forum the clearer it becomes that the general public lacks any understanding of basic taxonomy. Every living thing in the world be it plant, animal, or bacteria is known to the scientific community worldwide by a unique binominal nomenclature or scientific name, listed by Genus species. If a subspecies is designated it is listed after the species, e.g. Canis lupus ssp. lupus. This system dates all the way back to Carl Linnaeus in 1735. Does no one remember King Philip Came Over For Green Spaghetti, or some other equally ridiculous mnemonic from 3rd grade [Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species]? This is not the place for a basic biology lesson but here is some suggested reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binomial_nomenclature
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxonomy_(biology)
https://www.zmescience.com/other/feature-post/difference-species-subspecies/
With the possible exception of the giraffes not a single animal you named is a subspecies. I do not think that anyone, certainly not myself, is arguing against the inclusion of multiple species from the same family or genera. For example we already have the Lion (Panthera leo) and the Tiger (Panthera tigris), and it would be ridiculous for a zoo game not to have both. Or how about bears, we have the Polar bear (Ursus maritimus), Brown bear (Ursus arctos), and Asiatic Black bear (Ursus thibetanus).
There are five species of tapir. We currently have the Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii). The Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus) would be a great inclusion and provide a well-rounded representation of this family in our zoos.
Within the superfamily Lemuroidea there are over 100 different species, many of which are critically endangered and have never been held in captivity. Currently represented in Planet Zoo are the Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) and Red ruffed Lemur (Varecia rubra). I think the separate SPECIES the Black-and-White ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata) would also be a great addition, and I would like to see Coquerel's sifaka (Propithecus coquereli). I wouldn't mind even more lemur species, but think we are unlikely to see them.
I expect to see both SPECIES of African rhinoceros, Black rhino (Diceros bicornis) and White rhino (Ceratotherium simum), in the game at some point. As you see these are not only unique species, but actually in separate genera, sharing only the same family. Both are iconic savanna animals that are easily visually distinguishable and have unique ecologic niches and behaviors. With the inclusion of these two animals, plus the Indian rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) already in the game, I do not think we need anymore rhinoceros species.
Grevy's Zebra (Equus grevyi) is separate species from the Plains Zebra (Equus quagga) and should be included not only because it is also common in zoos, but has a much different narrowing striping pattern.
The taxonomic classification of giraffes is currently under contention, but at a minimum it appears there is consensus that the Reticulated giraffe and Masai giraffe are separate species.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binomial_nomenclature
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxonomy_(biology)
https://www.zmescience.com/other/feature-post/difference-species-subspecies/
I'm quite happy to see them add in more subspecies (malayan tapir, ruffed lemurs, black/white rhinos, Grévy's zebra, Rothschild's/masai giraffe, etc), so long as they're added along with some new animal species.
With the possible exception of the giraffes not a single animal you named is a subspecies. I do not think that anyone, certainly not myself, is arguing against the inclusion of multiple species from the same family or genera. For example we already have the Lion (Panthera leo) and the Tiger (Panthera tigris), and it would be ridiculous for a zoo game not to have both. Or how about bears, we have the Polar bear (Ursus maritimus), Brown bear (Ursus arctos), and Asiatic Black bear (Ursus thibetanus).
There are five species of tapir. We currently have the Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii). The Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus) would be a great inclusion and provide a well-rounded representation of this family in our zoos.
Within the superfamily Lemuroidea there are over 100 different species, many of which are critically endangered and have never been held in captivity. Currently represented in Planet Zoo are the Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) and Red ruffed Lemur (Varecia rubra). I think the separate SPECIES the Black-and-White ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata) would also be a great addition, and I would like to see Coquerel's sifaka (Propithecus coquereli). I wouldn't mind even more lemur species, but think we are unlikely to see them.
I expect to see both SPECIES of African rhinoceros, Black rhino (Diceros bicornis) and White rhino (Ceratotherium simum), in the game at some point. As you see these are not only unique species, but actually in separate genera, sharing only the same family. Both are iconic savanna animals that are easily visually distinguishable and have unique ecologic niches and behaviors. With the inclusion of these two animals, plus the Indian rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) already in the game, I do not think we need anymore rhinoceros species.
Grevy's Zebra (Equus grevyi) is separate species from the Plains Zebra (Equus quagga) and should be included not only because it is also common in zoos, but has a much different narrowing striping pattern.
The taxonomic classification of giraffes is currently under contention, but at a minimum it appears there is consensus that the Reticulated giraffe and Masai giraffe are separate species.