Carnivora

Question 1

Fossil Records-Cimolestes

Answer 1

• First carnivorous mammal in fossil record
• Only teeth have been found
• Thought to be squirrel-sized insectivore
• Lived during late Cretaceous and early Paleocene periods

Question 2

Creodonts

Answer 2

• Lived in late Cretaceous to Miocene
• Dominant group of carnivorous mammals
• 2nd or 3rd molars as carnassials
• Divergent order from modern carnivores
• Hyaendons (wolf like)

Question 3

Modern Carnivores

Answer 3

• Diverged in late Eocene ~35mya
• Modern families only recognizable during Oligocene ~35-23mya
• Radiation evolve w/ diversification of prey groups

Question 4

Denition

Answer 4

-Carnassials are upper P4 and lower M1, used for shearing and cutting
-Highly developed predacious species are: felids, canids, and hyaenids
Less developed omnivores are: procyonids and ursids

Question 5

Characteristics of Carnivora

Answer 5

• Fused carpals
• Deep C-shaped mandibular fossa
• Simple stomach and undeveloped caecum
• Reduced or lost clavicle
• Most have well-developed baculum
• Typically sexually dimorphic

Question 6

How are the suborders (Feliform and Caniform) distinguished?

Answer 6

By auditory bullae

Question 7

Suborder: Feliform

Answer 7

• Formed from tympanic and endotympanic bones

- Septum creates dual chamber

Question 8

Suborder: Caniform

Answer 8

-Formed almost entirely of tympanic bones

Question 9

5 Families of Colorado

Answer 9

• Canidae
• Procyonidae
• Ursidae
• Felidae
• Mustelidae

Question 10

Family: Canidae

Answer 10

-Wolves, coyotes, foxes
-Adapted to pursue prey in open
Generally digitigrade w/ non-retractable claws
-Elongated rostrum
-Well developed carnassials and canines

Question 11

Gray Wolf (Canis lupus)

Answer 11

• Packs of nuclear family of 2-20 animals
• Alpha male and female are breeding pair and reduce conflict
• Largest of Canidae
• Range of 94-3000 sq km
• Adaption for travel in snow: narrow chest, large paws w/ slight webbing, and double layered coat

Question 12

Family: Procyonidae

Answer 12

• Raccoons and ringtails
• Restricted to New World
• Planitgrade
• Generalized dentition
• Introduced to Japan and Europe

Question 13

Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus)

Answer 13

• Nocturnal
• Domesticated by settlers and miners to rid of vermins
• Omnivorous
• Live in arid south-west
• Excellent climbers

Question 14

Family: Ursidae

Answer 14

• Bears
• Hibernate
• Planitgrade
• Most are omnivorous

Question 15

Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos)

Answer 15

• Formally ranged throughout Colorado
• Last sighting in 1979
• Largest terrestrial carnivore in US (besides Polar Bears)
• Colorado Game and Fish opposed to reintroduction

Question 16

Family: Mustelidae

Answer 16

• Weasels, skunks, otters, wolverines, badgers, ferrets, and martens
• Digitigrade
• Long bodies, short legs
• Well developed carnassials
• Anal scent glands used for communication and defense

Question 17

Black-Footed Ferrets (Mustela nigripes)

Answer 17

• Highly endangered
• Co-evolved w/ prairie dogs
• Form dens in abandoned prairie dog dens
• Susceptible to canine distemper, which killed most wild population
• Disappeared from wild
• Captive bred reintroduction efforts underway

Question 18

Family: Felidae

Answer 18

• Bobcats, Lynx, Mountain Lions
• Strictest of carnivores
• Shortened rostrum
• Carnassials most specialized in shearing
• Pounce and capture specialists
• Kill by suffocation

Question 19

Lynx (Lynx lynx/canadensis)

Answer 19

• Restricted range in central mountains of Colorado
• Primary diet is snowshoe hare
• Large paws to aid in walking in snow
• Similar to bobcat but larger, thicker fur and fewer spots