carnivora Flashcards
evolved in response to increasing radiation of herbivorous prey, 2 major clades, mostly predaceous, acute sense of smell, highly developed cursorial ability in some groups, most have 4th upper premolar and 1st lower molar carnassial, tight temporomandibular joint
order carnivora
1 species, genetically distinct from other feliforms, sub Saharan Africa and south to Zimbabwe, short wooly fur, omnivorous eating fruit and meat
order carnivora
suborder feliforma
family nandiniidae (African palm civet)
excellent predators, nearly worldwide, reduced number of teeth, single pair of molars and well developed carnassials, digitigrade foot posture, retractile claws, spotted or striped pelage is common, excellent sense of smell sight and hearing, some species nocturnal, some species agile climbers, many species are social
order carnivora
suborder feliforma
family felidae (cats)
old world tropical and southern temperate regions, long rostrums, relatively short legs, long and bushy tail, well developed anal glands
order carnivora
suborder feliforma
family viverridae (viverrids)
old world, small and long bodied, large auditory bullae, well developed anal glands, some species have highly developed social lives
order carnivora
suborder feliforma
family herpestidae (mongoose and meerkats)
exclusively Madagascar, some agile climbers with retractile claws, most are nocturnal and terrestrial, some species have reduced dentition
order carnivora
suborder feliforma
family Eupleridae (fossa and false mongoose)
Africa, Turkey, Middle East and some of India, large bodied with longer forelimbs than hindlimbs, feet with 4 toes and blunt non-retractile claws, scavengers and predators, some form large packs or clans, mostly nocturnal, one species has reduced dentition and feed on insects
order carnivora
suborder feliforma
family hyaenidae (hyenas and aardwolf)
nearly worldwide, broadly adapted, large nasal chamber for enhanced sense of smell, highly cursorial, robust canines, molars retain a crushing surface but carnassials are present, long limbs, absent clavicle, digitigrade feet. blunt non-retractile claws, large species hunt in lengthy pursuit, small species are opportunistic hunters and more solitary
order carnivora
suborder caniforma
family canidae (dogs)
Nearly worldwide, large bodies, generally omnivorous, long rostrum, post carnassial teeth robust and adapted to crushing, powerful limbs and plantigrade feet, non-retractile claws, very short tails, northern species may hibernate in torpor
order carnivora
suborder caniforma
family ursidae (bears)
evolved from bear like ancestor, adapted to a marine lifestyle, large bodies insulated with blubber and sometimes fur, small or absent pinnae, external genitalia drawn beneath the body surface, rudimentary tail, flipper like forelimbs, fusiform body, only distal limbs protrude, partially telescoped skull, large orbits, fully webbed manus and pes, flexible vertebral column
pinnipedia: monophyletic group within caniforma including walruses, seals, and sea lions
1 species, coastal Antarctic waters of Atlantic and Pacific, large bodied, nearly hairless with stout vibrissae on nose, lack ear pinnae, hind flippers can be brought under the body for movement on land, tusk like upper canines on both sexes, feed on mollusks from the sea floor, highly vocal in and out of the water, live in large groups
order carnivora
suborder caniforma
superfamily pinnipedia
family odobenidae (walrus)
most temperate oceans, good ability to move on land, small ear pinnae, nails on 3 middle digits, larger males than females, body covered in fur, large
order carnivora
suborder caniforma
superfamily pinnipedia
family otariidae (eared seals and sea lions)
highly specialized for aquatic life with poor mobility on land, no external ear, foreflippers short and well furred, spotted banded or mottled pelage, heavy layers of blubber, homodont cheek teeth, fusiform body shape reduces drag, many species monogamous, feed on fish, cephalopods, and mollusks
order carnivora
suborder caniforma
superfamily pinnipedia
family phocidae (earless seals)
1 species, restricted to northern Myanmar and parts of China, arboreal and largely crepuscular, mostly herbivores, solitary, endangered throughout range
order carnivora
suborder caniforma
superfamily musteloidae
family Ailuridae (red panda)
inhabit most of western hemisphere, indonesia malaysia and the philippines, moderately small, conspicuously colored black and white with striped or spotted patterns, adapted for digging, nocturnal, solitary, omnivores, anal glands spray noxious odor
order carnivora
suborder caniforma
superfamily musteloidae
family mephitidae (skunks and stink badgers)
