In some instances, there was this "reverse" chauvinism going on. The shape of the human liver was thought to be different for the longest time, I think, because

In some instances, there was this "reverse" chauvinism going on. The shape of the human liver was thought to be different for the longest time, I think, because Galen had been dissecting pigs. So while I wouldn't rule out chauvinism entirely, it's anything but a given.