Carnivora Flashcards
(27 cards)
What phylogenetic level is carnivora ?
It is an order
There are….. species in ….. families
283 species
15 families
Describe the main dental adaption of carnivores
Large Canines
What is the diet of the organisms within the carnivora ?
Carnivores, Insectivores, Vegetarians, Omnivores
What are the carnassial teeth ?
Cusps on;
The last upper premolar
The first lower molar
form carnassial teeth, slice meat
How do carnivores communicate socially ?
Through complex chemical signals
Skin, urine, faeces
Give the family which contains the majority of the Civets.
Family Viverridae
How are civets utilised by humans ?
They are farmed for there smell, used in perfumes
Give the 4 species of the hyena family
Spotted
Striped
Brown
Aardwolf
What is the benefit to the hyena of highly conc. HCL in its stomach ?
Highly effective at extracting nutrients from bone
What is a pseudopenis ? Hyenas
Enlarged clitoris, creates female hierarchy and is what the females mate and give birth through.
What other pseudo-genitalia do hyenas have ?
Pseudotestes
Give the species in the family Ursidae
Bears
What is the diet of the panda, Ursidae ?
Mainly herbivorous, sometimes eats meat
Teeth modified to eat plants
High consumption
What a pseudo thumb ?
Found in pandas, Ursidae
Modified wrist bone to help process food
What is another name for the organisms within the Felidae ?
Cats
Describe the usual composition of a lion pride.
4-12 related females (cousins)
Sub adult males (tolerated)
Breeding male, from different pride.
What is allosuckiling in lions ?
If female lions give birth to offspring at a similar time will enable suckling of relatives offspring
(Kin selection)
What is infanticide In lions ?
Incoming males will kill young to gain paternity faster.
Females will come into season more quickly
How can infanticide in lions be thwarted ?
Females are good at hiding young, some will survive.
Give another name for the family Canidae
Dogs
Canidae exhibit co-operation in…
Hunting and rearing young
Explain how dogs exhibit kin selection ?
Many species will reach sexual maturity and instead of mating will help rear siblings
(carry similar genes)
Describe how silver backed jackals act as helpers
Juveniles will stay in parental ranges as helpers
Bring food and give protection
Delay own reproduction by a year to help raise siblings
