Caniformia
Caniforms | |
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All extant caniform families (from left to right): | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Carnivora |
Suborder: | Caniformia Kretzoi, 1943 |
Subgroups | |
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Caniformia is a
Description
Most members of this group have nonretractile claws (the
Extant families
Caniformia consists of nine extant families, with three extinct families also recognized. The extant families are
Family Canidae (dogs and other
Family Ursidae (bears) is the largest of all the land caniforms. Eight species are recognized, divided into five genera. They range from the large polar bear (350–680 kilograms (770–1,500 lb) in males) to the small sun bear (30–60 kilograms (66–132 lb) in males) and from the endangered giant panda to the very common black bear. Common characteristics of modern bears include a large body with stocky legs, a long snout, shaggy hair, plantigrade paws with five nonretractile claws, and a short tail. Most bears are omnivorous, with largely varied diets that include both plants and animals. The polar bear is the most carnivorous of bears due to the arctic climate in which it lives, and shows a preference for eating seals. The giant panda is the most herbivorous bear and has evolved a number of adaptations, including a sixth "toe", specialized teeth, and strong jaw muscles, to allow it to feed nearly exclusively on bamboo, a tough member of the grass family. The sloth bear has some adaptations for ant and termite eating, with a long snout, powerful claws, and missing upper front teeth, though it also eats honey and fruit.
Family Ailuridae consists today of a single species, the red panda, which was once thought to be included in the Procyonidae or Ursidae lineages, but is now placed in its own family along with a number of extinct species. It is found in the Himalayas, including southern China, Nepal, Bhutan, India, and Pakistan. Fossil species of the family are also found in North America.[9]
Family Mephitidae (skunks and stink badgers) was once classified as mustelids, but are now recognized as a lineage in their own right. The 12 species of skunks are divided into four
Family Mustelidae (badgers, weasels and otters) is the largest family of carnivora, with 22 extant genera and roughly 57 extant species. While highly variable in shape, size, and behavior, most mustelids are smaller animals with short legs, short, round ears, and thick fur. Mustelids are predominantly carnivorous. While not all share identical dentition, they all possess teeth adapted for eating flesh, including the presence of shearing carnassials.
Members of Family Procyonidae (raccoons, coatis) are smallish animals, with generally slender bodies and long tails. Nineteen extant species in six genera are currently recognized. Except for the kinkajou, all procyonids have banded tails and distinct facial markings, and like bears, are plantigrade, walking on the soles of their feet. Most species have nonretractile claws. Early procyonids may have been an offshoot of the canids that adapted to more omnivorous diets.[10]
Pinnipedia (seals, sea lions, and walruses clade) is a widely distributed and diverse group of semiaquatic marine mammals which is closely related to an extinct group of pinnipeds, Enaliarctos. While support for the monophyly of pinnipeds is strong, the relationship of pinnipeds to terrestrial mammals is still unclear. Some studies support the hypothesis that the bears are their closest relatives,[11][12][13] while others support a closer relationship to the mustelids.[14][15][16][17]
Pinnipeds split from other caniforms 50 million years ago (Mya) during the Eocene.[16]
The clade is currently divided into three families:
- Family Phocidae (true or earless seals) consists of around 19 species of highly aquatic, barrel-shaped animals ranging from 45 kg (100 lb) and 1.2 m (4 ft) in length (the ringed seal), to 2,400 kg (5,300 lb) and 5 m (16 ft) (southern elephant seal). Phocids are found throughout the world's oceans.
- Family pinnae), more dog-like faces, and the ability to turn their rear flippers forward.
- Family bivalve mollusks and other marine invertebrates.
Evolution
Caniforms first appeared as tree-climbing, superficially
.Debate continues on the origin of pinnipeds. Recent molecular evidence suggests pinnipeds evolved from a bear-like ancestor about 23 Mya during the
Classification
- Suborder: Caniformia ("dog-like" carnivorans)
- Genus: †Lycophocyon
- Superfamily: Amphicyonoidea
- Family: †Amphicyonidae (bear-dogs)
- Infraorder: Cynoidea
- Infraorder: Arctoidea
- Parvorder: Ursida
- Superfamily: Musteloidea
- Genus: †Plesiogale
- Family: Ailuridae (red panda and allies)
- Family: Mephitidae (skunks and stink badgers)
- Family: Mustelidae (weasels and allies)
- Family: Procyonidae (raccoons and allies)
- Incertae sedis:
- Genus: †Peignictis
- Parvorder: Pinnipedimorpha
- Genus: †Pinnarctidion
- Family: †Enaliarctidae
- Family: †Semantoridae
- Division: Pinnipediformes
- Genus: †Pacificotaria
- Genus: †Pteronarctos
- Subdivision: Pinnipedia
- Superfamily: Otarioidea
- Family: Odobenidae (walrus and allies)
- Family: Otariidae (eared seals)
- Superfamily: Phocoidea
- Family: true seals)
- Family: †Desmatophocidae
- Family:
- Superfamily: Otarioidea
- Parvorder:
Phylogeny
The
Caniformia |
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References
- ^ Basic Biology (2015). "Carnivora".
- ^ Rhines, C (2003). "Martes pennanti". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
- ^ "American Marten". New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
- ISBN 978-1-56294-418-6. OCLC 30436543. p11.
- S2CID 253993605. Archived from the original(PDF) on May 15, 2013. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
- ^ Goldberg, J. (2003). "Bassariscus astutus". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8014-8493-3. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
- PMID 20138220.
- ^ "Two new carnivores from an unusual late Tertiary forest biota in eastern North America" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2007-02-27.
- ISBN 0-87196-871-1.
- PMID 7877495.
- ^ Hunt, R. M. Jr.; Barnes, L. G. (1994). "Basicranial evidence for ursid affinity of the oldest pinnipeds". Proceedings of the San Diego Society of Natural History. 29: 57–67.
- PMID 17996107.
- S2CID 25795496.
- ^ PMID 16012099.
- ^ PMID 22536379.
- S2CID 4371413.
- PMID 28472434.