VME 3002 Exam 1: Key Terms & Definitions in Biology

Ocelot Lineage

small-medium sized cats found in Central and South America. Have 36 chromosomes instead of 38. Geoffroy's Cat, Kodkod, Tigrina (North and South), Andean Mountain Cat, Pampas Cat, Margay, and Ocelot.

Scientific Classification of Cats

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Canivora

Suborder: Feliformia

Family: Felidae

Felid ancestor

10.8 MYA

Domestic ancestor

3.4 MYA

Lineages of Cats

Panthera, Bay Cat, Caracal, Ocelot, Lynx, Puma, Asian Leopard, and Domestic Cat

Panthera Lineage

AKA "Roaring Cats"; Lions, Tigers, Jaguars, Leopards, and Snow Leopards. An additional two non-roaring Clouded Leopard species. Have incomplete ossified bone in throat called "Hyoid" allows them to roar.

Bay Cat Lineage

3 small-medium sized cats; Asian Golden Cat, Bornean Bay Cat, and Marbled Cat. Found in forested areas in South Eastern Asia, spilt 1.4 million years after Panthera.

Caracal Lineage

3 medium-sized cats; Caracal, Serval, African Golden Cat. Restricted to Africa. Males (sometimes females) migrate from naval land. Migrate with prey species.

Lynx Lineage

medium-sized cats with short tails and pointed ears found in North America and Eurasia. Iberian Lynx, Eurasian Lynx, Canada Lynx, and Bobcat

Puma Lineage

very diverse cat group (small-large cats), Jaguarundi to African Cheetahs. Stared in North America and now broadly distributed. Puma, Cougar, and Mountain Lion

Asian Leopard Cat Lineage

Small cats that live in Asia; Mainland Leopard cat, Sunda Leopard Cat, Rusty-Spotted Cat, Pallas's Cat, Fishing Cat, and Flat-headed Cat

Domestic Cat Lineage

Small cat found in Africa and Eurasia; Domestic Cat (world wide), African Wildcat, European Wildcat, Sand Cat, Chinese Mountain Cat, Black-Footed Cat, Jungle Cat

Bones in Cyprus (2004)

archaeologists working in Cyprus found a cat and human buried together, cats are not native to Cyprus.

Israel (3,700 years ago)

ivory cat statuettes suggests domestication prior to cats in Egypt

Egyptian Cat Domestication (3,600 years ago)

"cat under the cat", art was the oldest clear evidence of fully domesticated cats. Had cats with collars and cats eating out of food bowls.

Egypt (2,900 years ago)

cats became the "official deity" in the form of the goddess "Bastet". Large numbers of cats were mummified indicates domestication and actively breeding cats

China (2014)

found felid remains from 5,300 years ago in China. Bone analysis suggested they ate large quantities of agricultural products, may not have heavily relied on rodents, and may have scavenged human food scraps or were fed by humans.

5 Subspecies of Wild Cats

Felis silvestris silvestris

Felis silvestris lybica (DNA analysis-domesticated cat ancestor)

Felis silvestris ornata

Felis silvestris cafra

Felis silvestris bieti

Domestication Timeline

9,500 years ago- Bones in Cyprus

6,000 years ago- Bones in China

3,700 years ago- Statuettes in Israel

3,600 years ago- Artwork in Egypt

2,900 years ago- Official Egyptian Deity

2,000 years ago- Cat remains in Germany/Europe

Human Breeding of Cats Timeline

1350-1767: "Cat book Poems" in Thailand

1800s- Modern Breeds developing in British Isles

1871- 1st cat shower at Crystal Palace in London

2001- 1st cloned kitten "CC" born at Texas A & M

2007- 1st Genome Sequenced Cat "Cinnamon"

"Cinnamon"

an Abyssinian cat that was the 1st genome sequenced cat. Geneticists can ID mutations that can produce tabby patterning, black, white, and orange coloring, long hair, and many more.

Cat Registry

used for breeding purposes, showering/exhibiting, general appreciation, scientific understanding, and welfare/health. Includes cat pedigrees, studbooks, breed description/standards for showing, cat showers, youth education programs, and best practices for good welfare

The International Cat Association (TICA)

founded in 1979 by Georgia Morgan and a handful of cat enthusiasts and is in 104 countries today. It recognizes 73 cat breeds and has the world's largest genetic registry of pedigreed cats and the world's largest registry of household pets. The first show was held in Washington in 1979 and was titled "A Midsummer Night's Dream". The three categories for judging are championship, household pets, and new breeds; which are then separated by ages (kittens vs adults) and altered (neutered/spayed) vs non-altered for championship. Important for educating the public about cats, holding adoption events, and fundraising for cat rescue groups.

Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA)

Founded in 1906 as a nonprofit, with the first shows being held in Buffalo, New York and Detroit, Michigan. Recognizes 45 pedigreed breeds and allows for non-pedigreed breeds. Promotes the welfare of all cats through research, aid with natural disaster relief, spay/neuter, and education on husbandry. Seven categories of competition: kitten, championship, premiership, veteran, household, miscellaneous, and provisional.

International Cat Registries

Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA), The International Cat Association (TICA), Federation Internationale Feline (FIFe), World Cat Federation (WCF), and World Cat Congress (WCC)

National Cat Registries

American Cat Fanciers' Association (ACFA), Associazione Nationale Felina Italiana (ANFI), Australian Cat Federation, Canadian Cat Association, Association Feline Canadienne, Southern Africa Cat Council, Cat Aficionado Association, Rate and Exotic Feline Registry.

Official Cat Colors

Red (Orange, Marmalade, Ginger), Blue (Gray, Grey), Chocolate (Brown), Seal (Brown), Silver (Gray, Grey), Black Tortie and White (Calico), and Cream (Buff)

Official Cat Patterns

Solid (one color w/o stripes), Tabbies (Stripes- 4 patterns), Torties/Torbies (mixture of black and red solids or tabbies), Pointed (color only on face, feet, and tail; solid or tabby), and with White (any of the above with white added)

What are some characteristics of Abyssinian cats?

Almond-shaped eyes, large ears, and an arched neck resembling cat statues in Egyptian tombs.

What is a notable fact about the Abyssinian breed's ancestry?

One of the oldest, with its real ancestry lost in time.

Which breed was the first to have its DNA decoded in 2007?

The Abyssinian breed, with a cat named 'Cinnamon'.

"Cat of the Dog World"

The Abyssinian cat

What are the coat variations of Abyssinian cats?

_____ cats have shorthair coats with ticked patterns in ruddy, red, blue, and fawn colors.

What is the history of American Shorthair cats?

Came with early settlers to North America as 'working cats' on boats to protect ships' stores from mice and rats.

American Shorthair cats description

They have shorthair coats, and are available in all traditional colors, they are a working/athletic breed

What is the history of the Bengal cat breed?

Created when Jean S. Mill crossed a domestic cat with an Asian Leopard Cat in 1963.

What is a distinctive feature of Bengal cats' coats?

Shorthaired

They have richly colored, highly contrasting coats or rosettes or distinctive marbling, pelt like plush coat.

Cat breed that likes water and may join you in the shower.

bengal

named after scientific name of asian leopard cat

bengal

"Prionailurus bengalensis"

only domestic breed with rosette markings

bengal

Birman history

Almost wiped out in WWII with only one pair left.

Which cat is called the 'velcro' cats?

Birman because they follow you around everywhere.

What are the physical characteristics of Birmans?

Longhaired cats with white feet, point colored pattern, easy to groom intermediate length coats, and ALWAYS blue eyes.

What are the personality traits of Birmans?

Known to be sweet, affectionate, loyal, and easy to handle.

Bombay history

in 1953 Nikki Horner from Louisville, Kentucky wanted a cat that would look like black leopards of India.

Black American Shorthair x Burmese = bombay

No "wild blood" is in the breed.

Cat Named after the Indian City.

Bombay

Bomaby coat

Shorthaired cats with glossy, black coats and big copper penny eyes.

British Shorthair history

One of the first breeds, has changed very little.

Almost lost in WWII, but domestic shorthair crosses revived them.

Cat breed with loudest purr

British shorthair

In 2011, "Smokey" had the world's loudest purr at 67.7 decibels.

British shorthair cat coat

Shorthair cats with plush coats, popularly blue but also other colors.

Cat breed where males and females differ in personalities.

British shorthair

Burmese history

from a single cat "Wong Mau", from the Thai-Burma border. Breed developed in America by being bred with a seal point Siamese.

Burmese

In young cats the color points of a will be darker but as they age their body color becomes deeper.

Burmese coat

Shorthair fur in sable, champagne, blue and platinum colors.

Known to be very vocal and highly intelligent.

Burmese

Cornish Rex history

Came from a litter of barn cats in Cornwall, England in 1950.

A cream colored male named "Kallibunker" had tight rows of tiny curls, lamb-like. Only one in litter like that bred back to mother.

Cornish rex coat

Shorthair with soft, wavy, curly coats in many colors and patterns.

Cornish rex

In 1956 Life magazine an article was posted on the breed that generated a lot of worldwide attention.

Devon Rex history

Feral tom cat with curly coat lived in the tin mine in 1960 the male bred with a tortie and white stray.

Miss Cox contacted geneticist that worked with Kaillbunker but it was a different gene found.

Devon rex

Often described as resembling a Gremlin or a relative of Yoda.

Devon rex coat

Shorthair with naturally curly, wavy coats in many colors and patterns.

Known for a Pixie look and personality; intelligent, busy, silly/fun, and a big personality.

Devon Rex

Exotic history

One of the oldest and most easily recognized breeds.

Part of Persian breed group

Carolyn Bussey bred her Burmese to a Persian to try to get a brown color - got black but decided then to create shorthaired Persians.

Exotic coat

Shorthaired with the body and head that is Persian-like.

The same as Persians in every way except for thick coat.

available in most colors and patterns

Maine Coon history

One of the oldest natural breeds in North America.

Only native longhaired American breed among pedigreed cats. Native to Maine

Know as "Gentle Giants", a large, rugged cat.

Maine coon

Maine Coon coat

Longhaired in many colors and patterns (-pointed)

Manx history

Isolated island led to inbreeding and therefore tailless became a common trait among the breed.

Hind legs are longer than front, so rump is raised in the air.

Manx description

Shorthaired tailless cats with thick, dense coats in many colors and patterns. Medium-sized round and short cats.

Persian history

One of the oldest and most recognized breeds.

19th century descendants of Turkish cats bred to cats from Italy.

Man made breed introduced to US in 19th century

persian

Persian coat

Long full coat, round head with short nose; broad face; available in a variety of colors and patterns.

Ragdoll history

Developed in 1960s by Ann Baker in Riverside, California.

Bred free-roaming cats (longhaired domesticated cat "Josephine") to other cats in the area.

Breeding program to get the quiet, loving traits.

Known as "puppy cats"

Ragdoll because they follow you around, play fetch, and "flop" at your feet.

Ragdoll description

Semi-longhair with colors at the points. Large cat (one of the largest); females 10-15 lbs. and males 15-20 lbs. Docile, Placid, and affection, social.

Russian Blue history

1st cat shows in England in 1880s had these cats.

War impacted the population, breeders had to work to bring back a breed that resembled these cats.

known as the Archangel Cat.

Russian blue

In the Garfield movie the cat "Ariene" is played by this cat breed.

Russian blue

Russian blue description

Healthy and known for longevity (10-20+ years; up to 25). Shorthair that is dense silver tipped blue coats with green eyes.

Scottish Fold history

not recognized in Scotland as a breed due to concerns with joint issues. Kittens are born with straight ears and fold appears at 3 weeks old, only 50% of the litter though.

Scottish fold description

Long and shorthair available. Ears fold forward and down with large round eyes and available with straight ears in many colors and patterns.

Siamese history

one of the oldest and most recognized breed.

Legendary temple cat of King of Siam.

1st in the US in 1871.

Scotter a cat of this breed holds the record for oldest male cat in the world died at 30 years old.

Siamese

Siamese description

Tend to be sensitive to anesthesia. Shorthair with long-slender bodies with color at points- chocolate, seal, blue, and lilac; with long slender legs; long wedge-shaped heads.

Known to be vocal, affectionate, active and can be insistent, very people oriented and silly.

Siberian history

Russian native breed, and rare outside of Europe.

Considered hypo-allergenic due to far less levels of felid 1 protein in genes compared to other breeds.

SIberian

Siberian description

Longhaired that changes with the season, and come in a wide variety of color and patterns.

Medium-large size with large and powerful personalities, problem solvers, and love water.

Sphynx history

originally known as the Canadian Hairless Cat. In 1966 a black and white cat gave birth to a hairless kitten "Prune" who was then bred for more hairless cats.

Got their name from the Egyptian Cat Sculpture Sphinx.

Aren't hypoallergenic.

Sphynx description

shorthair- fine down

hairless; variety of colors and patterns

very active, affectionate, entertain themselves, loyal, elf-like

sunburn easily

Turkish Angora history

from Ankara, Turkey. (Angora) considered national treasures

used in Persian breeding programs use in early 1900s and disappeared as a breed.

breeding at Ankara zoo ensured preservation of breed

Turkish Angora Description

Excellent swimmers and enjoy playing in water.

Longhair that is silky intermediate length in several colors and patterns. Known to be busy, curious, affectionate, and silly.

How many chromosome do domestic cats have?

38 chromosomes

18 autosomal pairs

1 pair of sex chromosomes

size of cat genome

20,000 genes

tortoiseshell and calico male cats

XXY

Lyonization

inactivation of one of the two chromosomes

prevents double amount of gene products from the X chromosome

can cause calico or tortoiseshell pattern on furr

Gangliosides

affected cats lack an enzyme required to metabolize certain lipids

two types GM1 and GM2

autosomal recessive

Korat, siamese, Burmese

Ataxia, dysmetria, tremors, nystagmus, WBC contain granules, Facial dysmorphia

kittens die at 8-10 months

Muscular Dystrophy

muscles are deficient in dystrophin protein

more common in domestic shorthairs

regurgitation, bunny hop, muscles stiffness, muscle atrophy or hypertrophy, increased creatinine

Fatal

X-linked recessive -> affects more males

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

cysts on kidneys

Autosomal dominant

1/3 of all Persians have it

increased thirst, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite/wight loss, blood in urine

can treat symptoms

Agouti

signaling protein (ASIP) interacts with melanocortin 1 receptor

Brown

have reduced eumelanin and appear brown in cats