Mammalian Evolution and Adaptations

Flashcards of key vocabulary terms and definitions from the lecture notes.

Euarchontoglires

Primates + rodents + lagomorphs, tree shrews + flying lemurs

Primates

Generalist body plan but arboreal specialists

Prosimians

Polyphyletic

Dermoptera

flying lemur, sister group of the primates

Scandentia

tree shrew, sister group of the primates

Ungulates

hooved mammals (Laurasiatheria)

Artiodactyla

even-toed ungulates (pigs, deer, camels)

Perissodactyla

odd-toed ungulates (Tapirs, Rhinos, Horses)

Cetartiodactyla

New taxon incorporating Cetaceans nested within the Artiodactyls

LAURASIATHERIA

Superorder including carnivores, chiroptera, pangolins, and cetartiodactyla

Mysticeti

baleen whales, 14 species

Odonticeti

Toothed whales & dolphins, 70 species

Chiroptera

Bats, >1,000 spp (20% of mammals)

Micro-chiroptera

bats that lack underfur

Mega-chiroptera

bats with good eyesight

Feloidea

cats, viverrids, mongoose, hyaenas (Feliformia – suborder)

Canoidea

dogs (Caniformia)

Arctoidea

bears/giant panda, raccoons/coatis/red panda, badgers

Pinnipedia

seals, sealions, walruses

Eulipotyphla

Hedgehogs, Moles, Shrews, Solenodon

Endothermy

Not a defining characteristic of mammals, also found in birds

HETEROTHERMS

mammals that are not fully endothermic (elephant shrew, naked mole rats)

Facultative Torpor

Body temperature (Tb) can drop down as low as 7 °C (up to 40 fold energy saving)

Lactation

Secreting milk, evolved from specialised sweat glands

Akinetic skull

Refers to lack of movement between upper jaw and braincase