Question

'Turkey', a poultry species is a native of

• A. North America
• B. South America
• C. Turkmenistan
• D. Turkey

Hint:

Poultry Origins:
Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) $\rightarrow$ NORTH AMERICA (Mexico/USA).
Chicken (Gallus gallus) $\rightarrow$ Southeast Asia India (Red Jungle Fowl).
Guinea Fowl $\rightarrow$ West Africa.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Avian evolutionary origin and domestication history: the domestic turkey is derived from the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) endemic to North America.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Origin and domestication history of Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo):
- The domestic turkey is native to the forests of North America (specifically Mexico and the United States).
- Domesticated by indigenous Mesoamerican peoples pre-Columbian contact.
- Spanish explorers transported turkeys from Mexico to Europe in the early 16th century, from where they were globally distributed as meat poultry.
- (Despite the common English name 'turkey', it is not indigenous to the country of Turkey).

Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, Turkey is a native of North America, corresponding to option (A).