Why is Mij's species now known to the world as Maxwell's otter?
Mij's species is now known to the world as Maxwell's otter because Mijbil belonged to a race previously unknown to science. When the author acquired Mijbil, zoologists discovered that this specific type of otter had not been documented or identified before.
As a result, the scientific community officially christened the species by the zoological name Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli, which translates to Maxwell's otter. This naming was done in honor of the author, who brought this previously unknown species to the world's attention.
Explanation
The textbook explicitly mentions that Mijbil was of a race previously unknown to science. Because it was a new discovery for zoologists, they christened it with the scientific name Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli, or Maxwell's otter, naming it after the author who introduced the species to the scientific world.
Solution Steps
Step 1: Identify the reason from the text: Mijbil was of a race previously unknown to science.
Step 2: Note the action taken by zoologists: They christened the species Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli (Maxwell's otter).
Step 3: Combine these points into a coherent 2-mark answer.