Mammalogy Lab: Carnivores

Suborder Feliformia species

- felidae (cats)

- hyaenidae (hyenas, arrdwolves)

- herpestidae (mongooses)

- viverridae (civets, genets)

Suborder caniformia species:

- canidae (dogs)

- ursidae (bears)

- mustelidae (weasels, otters, etc)

- mephitidae (skunks)

- procyonidae (raccoons, coati, kinkajous)

- odobenidae (walrus)

- otariidae (sea lions)

- Phocidae (seals)

Carnivore characteristics

- sagittal crest and large temporal fossa

- large auditory bullae

- forward facing orbits

- well developed canines

- large braincase

- large coronoid process of mandible

- fissipeds (3 lower incisors)

- pinnipeds (2 lower incisors)

Mesocarnivore

consumes 50-70% meat for its diet

Hypocarnivore

consumes less than 30% meat for its diet

hypercarnivore

consumes more than 70% meat for its diet

fissipeds

3 lower incisors

pinnipeds

2 lower incisors

NH carnivore families

- Felidae (cats)

- canidae (dogs)

- ursidae (bears)

- Mephitidae (skunks)

- Mustelidae (weasels)

- Procyonidae (raccoons)

- Phocidae (seals)

Felidae

Cats

Felidae NH species

- lynx rufus (bobcat)

- lynx canadensis (canada lynx)

Bobcat

Lynx rufus

Canada lynx

Lynx canadensis

Lynx rufus skull morphology

- openings of hypoglossal and jugular foramina confluent

- presphenoid straight-sided

Lynx canadensis skull morphology

- openings of hypoglossal and jugular foramina separate

- sides of presphenoid with "wings"

3 canidae species

- canis latrans (coyotes)

- urocyon cinereoargenteus (gray fox)

- Vulpes vulpes (red fox)

Coyote

Canis latrans

Gray fox

Urocyon cinereoargenteus

Red fox

vulpes vulpes

Vulpes vulpes skull shape

v shaped

Urocyon cinereoargenteus

U shaped

Ursidae NH species

Ursus americanus (american black bear)

Ursus americanus

american black bear

Ursidae skull morphology

- bullae small

- parocciptal process separate, large

- alisphenoid canal present

- carnassials specialized for crushing, not slicing

Mustelidae NH species

- lontra canadensis (north american river otter)

- pekania pennanti (fisher)

- martes americana (american marten)

- mustela frenata (long-tailed weasel)

- mustela erminea (short-tailed weasel)

- Neovision vision (american mink)

Mustelidae skull morphology

- short rostrum

- no alisphenoid canal

- carnassial prominent

- large postglenoid process

Lontra canadensis

North American river otter

Pekania pennanti

fisher

Martes americana

American marten

Mustela frenata

long-tailed weasel

Mustela erminea

Short-tailed weasel

Neovision Vison

mink

Lontra canadensis characteristics

- molars are large and flat

- auditory bullae flat

Neovision vison skull vs martes americana skull

Neovision vison's sagittal crest is short and martes americana's sagittal crest is long

Martes americana's skull vs. pekania pennanti

Martes americana's braincase is rounded, and pekania pennanti's is trapezium shaped

Pekania pennanti's skull vs, martes americana's skull

pekania pennanti's skull is pointed at end, and martes americana's skull is curved at end

Mephitidae characteristics

- long rostrum

- broad bodies

- short limbs with robust claws

- Last tooth in line with end of palate

- auditory bullae flat

Mephitidae NH species

mephitis mephitis (striped skunk)

Mephitis mephitis

striped skunk

Procyonidae Nh species

procyon lotor (north american raccoon)

Procyon lotor

North American raccoon

Procyonidae characteristics

- short rostrum

- well-developed paroccipital process

- no alisphenoid canal