Equus quagga; Print; The plains zebra (Equus quagga; formerly Equus burchellii); also known as the common zebra; is the most common and geographically widespread species of zebra. Its range is fragmented; but spans much of southern and eastern Africa south of the Sahara. Six subspecies have been recognised including the extinct quagga which was thought to be a separate species. However; more recent research supports variations in zebra populations being clines rather than subspecies.; 1700-1880