Order Carnivora

Order Carnivora

found al over the world, none native to austrailia

General Characteristics

  • Dietary Habits: Most carnivores primarily eat meat; however, this is not a defining characteristic of the order.

Morphology

Dentition

  • Carnassial Teeth: A defining characteristic of carnivores, consisting of specialized P4 (fourth upper premolar) and M1 (first lower molar) (blade like) teeth.
      - Most pronounced in canids (family Canidae), felids (family Felidae), and hyenids (family Hyaenidae).
      - Much reduced in ursids (family Ursidae - bears) and procyonids (family Procyonidae - raccoons, etc.).

  • Incisor Count: Generally 3/3 incisors, but the sea otter is an exception with a count of 3/2.

Canine and Cheek Teeth

  • Canine Teeth: Large and conical in shape.

  • Cheek Teeth Variation:
      - In long-faced carnivores: 4/4 P (premolars), 2/3 M (molars).
      - In some cats: 2/2 P, 1/1 M.

Skull Morphology

  • Structural Characteristics:
      - Carnivore skulls MORE ROBUST - generally sturdy to support strong facial musculature.
      - The mandibular fossa is C-shaped and elongated transversely.
      - The braincase is expanded.

Appendicular Skeleton

  • Adaptations:
      - Cursorial adaptations evident in foot bones; most carnivores are digitigrade (walking on toes) and some are plantigrade (walking on the whole foot).
      - Most retain an ancestral digit count of five.
      - The clavicle is often reduced or lost. (teeny tiny)

Other Morphological Features

  • Many carnivores possess a baculum (os penis). Length examples include:
      - Raccoon: 4 inches
      - Mink: 2 inches
      - Coyote: 3 inches
      - Fox: 2.5 inches.

  • Most carnivores possess anal glands.

Taxonomy

  • Carnivora consists of 16 families and approximately 300 species, categorized into two suborders:
      - Feliformia: "cat-like" mammals; 7 families. - auditor bullae made of ectotympanic and entotympanic
      - Caniformia: "dog-like" mammals; 9 families. just tympanic

  • tympanic bone

Suborder Feliformia

Family Felidae (Cats)

  • Total Species: 14 species, 40 subspecies.

  • Distribution: Worldwide (excluding Antarctica and Australia); notable presence in Madagascar.

  • Examples of species:
      - Snow Leopard
      - Wildcat
      - Black-footed Cat

  • North American Species: 8 species, 6 in the United States.
      - Neotropical Felids (South/Central America):
        - Jaguar
        - Ocelot
        - Margay
        - Jaguarundi
        - Tiger Cat.

  • Notable Characteristics:
      - Family includes the fastest land mammal. (cheetah, close to 60 mph)
      - Members of the Panthera genus can roar.
      - Most species are solitary except for lions, which exhibit social behavior.

  • Predation Adaptations:
      - Short rostrum (snout).
      - Large orbits for enhanced vision.
      - Well-developed carnassials for shearing meat.
      - Reduced dentition
      - Paw rotation allowing flexible movement.
      - Cryptic pelage (fur) patterns aiding in camouflage.

Family Herpestidae (Mongooses)

  • Total Species: 13-16 species, 35-46 subspecies.

  • Distribution: Old World from Africa to Borneo and southeastern Europe; introduced to Hawaii and the Caribbean.

  • Examples of species:
      - Meerkat
      - Egyptian Mongoose
      - Dwarf Mongoose
      - Yellow Mongoose.

  • Diet: Most mongooses primarily eat insects and other invertebrates.

  • Morphological Characteristics:
      - Long postorbital process.
      - Usually have 5 toes on each foot.
      - Adapted for digitigrade to semiplantigrade locomotion.
      - Possess anal and facial scent glands. produce carboxylic acid

  • Social Structure:
      - About half of mongooses exhibit social behavior;
      - Engage in cooperative vigilance and some species utilize tools (break eggs or crabs by throwing them between their hind legs at hard surfaces). diurnal and live in clans. eat insects.

  • Feeding Behavior: Some mongooses practice ophiophagy (snake-eating). will fight with snake for like an hour until snake gets tired then will bite

  • makes a glycoprotein that binds to a protien in the venom. reduced effects. can handle a moderate amt of snake venom before succumbing to its effects

Family Eupleridae (Malagasy Mongooses)

  • Distribution: Madagascar.

  • Notable Species:
      - Includes Malagasy civet and fossa.
      - 7 species recently listed as threatened.

Family Viverridae (Civets and Genets)

  • Total Species: 13-14 species, 33-37 subspecies.

  • Distribution: Primarily found in Africa, Asia, and Europe; mainly in tropical and temperate regions.

  • Examples of species:
      - African Civet
      - Owston’s Palm Civet
      - Otter Civet
      - Small-spotted Genet
      - Common Genet.

  • Dietary Habits: Mainly carnivorous; some species are semi-arboreal and exhibit variations in diet.

  • Morphological Diversity: Family is morphologically and functionally diverse. Palm civets are omnivorous with a preference for fruit, while otter civets and aquatic genets have semi-aquatic adaptations.

Family Nandiniidae (African Palm Civet)

  • Total Species: 1, 1 subspecies.

  • Distribution: Central Africa.

  • Notable Characteristics:
      - Habitat: Forested habitats.
      - Behavior: Arboreal and nocturnal.
      - Diet: Herbivorous but consumes some insects.

  • Domestication: Kept as pets in some cultures.

Family Prionodontidae (Linsangs)

  • Total Species: 1, 2 subspecies.

  • Distribution: Southeast Asia.

Family Hyaenidae (Hyenas)

  • Total Species: 4, 4 subspecies.

  • Distribution: Old World, including Africa, Turkey, the Middle East, and India.

  • Feeding Adaptations: Specialized for carrion feeding.

  • Morphological Traits:
      - Heavily built, digitigrade limbs with 4 toes.
      - Unique genital structure exhibiting dimorphism in spotted hyenas. can give birth thru da clit
      - Can weigh up to 80 kg (176 lbs).

  • Social Structure: Spotted hyenas typically live in clans of up to 80 individuals.

Other Hyaenidae Characteristics

  • Aardwolf: Specialized termite feeder with weak dentition. large auditory bullae

Suborder Caniformia

General Characteristics

  • Historical Context: Includes species such as the dingo, which was introduced to Australia by humans; canids occupy a wide range of habitats from the Arctic to tropical regions.

  • Species Examples:
      - Swift Fox
      - Maned Wolf
      - Dhole
      - Wild Dog.

Family Canidae (Dogs and Wolves)

  • Total Species: 13, 35-37 subspecies.

  • Distribution: Worldwide.

  • Species Examples: Raccoon dog and various wolves.

  • Morphological Characteristics:
      - Broadly adapted carnivores with a long rostrum.

  • Dental Formula: 3/3, 1/1, 4/4, 2/3, which includes long, strong canines.

  • Adaptations: Generally lanky, aiding in endurance running.

  • Diet: Varied and includes a wide range of prey types; known for opportunistic feeding behaviors.

wolf taxonomy

controversial - canis lupus - of old world evolution (grey, tundra, etc)

  •     canis lycaon - diverged from common ancestor with coyotes abt 150thousand years ago. came from america(eastern)

  • canis rufus

Research Reference: Estimating Biomass in Gray Wolves

  • Study Focus: Gray wolves (Canis lupus) consume berries and other wild fruits seasonally when available.

  • Methodological Development: A method was proposed to convert frequency or volume of berries in wolf scats to percent biomass consumed.

  • Findings: An average scat containing only berries equated to approximately 0.468 kg of berries consumed.
      - Recommended conversion factor: 0.468 kg/scat for estimating wolf diets from scats.

  • Research Citation: Gable et al. (2017) in the Wildlife Society Bulletin.

Family Mustelidae (Weasels, Badgers, Otters, Wolverines)

  • Total Species: 22-23 species, 64 subspecies.

  • Distribution: Worldwide except for Madagascar and Australia.

  • Predation: Several species within this family are capable of taking down prey much larger than themselves.

  • Reproductive Cycles: Unique cycles involve prolonged copulation to induce ovulation, with many species exhibiting delayed implantation following fertilization.

Family Mephitidae (Skunks, Stink Badgers)

  • Total Species: 4, 12 subspecies.

  • Distribution: Includes regions of Indonesia and the Western Hemisphere.

  • Aposematic Coloration: Notable for its warning coloration as a defensive mechanism against predators.

Family Procyonidae (Raccoons, Ringtails, Coatis, Olingos, Kinkajous)

  • Total Species: 6, 14 subspecies.

  • Distribution: Predominantly found in the Western Hemisphere.

  • Dietary Characteristics: Exhibits structural and functional departures from strict carnivory:
      - Ringtails are predominantly carnivorous.
      - Raccoons are more omnivorous.
      - Kinkajous are primarily frugivorous (fruit-eaters).

Family Ursidae (Bears)

  • Total Species: 5, 8 subspecies.

  • Distribution: Found in various regions including North America, Eurasia, Southeast Asia, Malay Peninsula, South America (Andes), and North African mountains.

  • Size and Morphology:
      - Size ranges from 30 kg to 800 kg.
      - Plantigrade locomotion (walking on flat feet) with 5 toes.

  • Dental Adaptations:
      - Long rostrum.
      - Molars are enlarged for crushing.
      - Premolars generally reduced.

Family Ailuridae (Red Panda)

  • Total Species: 1, 1 subspecies.

  • Distribution: Endemic to the Himalayan Mountains.

  • Morphological Characteristics:
      - Small size, weighing between 3-6 kg.
      - Folivorous diet primarily consisting of bamboo.

Pinnipedia (Aquatic Caniformia)

  • Adaptations:
      - Pinnae (outer ears) are small or absent.
      - Tail is rudimentary or absent.
      - Limbs are only partially exposed, distal to the elbows and knees.

  • Further Adaptations:
      - Highly specialized skeletal girdles with absent clavicles.
      - Humerus, radius, and ulna are short and heavily built.
      - The pollex (thumb) is long, forming the leading edge of the fore flipper.
      - Pelvic girdle is reduced with significant subcutaneous blubber.

Additional Features of Pinnipedia

  • Body Shape: Fusiform (tapered at both ends) aiding in swimming efficiency.

  • Physiological Adaptations: Nostrils can be voluntarily controlled, and the skull is partially telescoped with a shortened rostrum.

  • Dentition: Homodont dentition.

  • Size: Species can range in weight from 90 kg to over 3,600 kg.

Family Odobenidae (Walrus)

  • Distribution: Found in Arctic waters of both Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

  • Size: Can weigh up to 1,270 kg.

  • Notable Characteristics: No external ears, nearly hairless bodies, tusks present in both sexes, primarily feed on mollusks.

Family Otariidae (Eared Seals, Sea Lions)

  • Distribution: Found in Coastal Pacific Ocean and parts of South Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

  • Characteristics: Small external ears, body furred, highly vocal, gregarious, piscivorous.

Family Phocidae (Earless Seals)

  • Distribution: Northern Hemisphere above 30° latitude; Southern Hemisphere below 50° latitude.

  • Adaptations: Specialized for aquatic life with heavier fat layers for insulation, furred body.

  • Size Variation: Most species weigh between 80 kg to 450 kg, but some elephant seals can weigh up to 3,600 kg.

  • Social Behavior: Generally not gregarious.

Unique Distributions in Phocidae

  • Some species like the Caspian seal are restricted to the Caspian Sea; the Baikal seal is limited to Lake Baikal, demonstrating unique ecological adaptations.

Summary of Order Carnivora

  • Feliformia: Includes civets, cats, mongooses, hyenas, Malagasy mongooses, and linsangs.

  • Caniformia: Encompasses dogs, mustelids, skunks, raccoons, bears, walruses, seals, and red pandas.

Order Pholidota

  • Family Manidae: Represents pangolins; their geographical distribution includes Africa and Asia.

  • Adaptations: Edentate (lack teeth), possess sticky saliva, and have tongues longer than their head and body combined.

  • Noteworthy Species: Giant Pangolin (Manis gigantea) exhibits specific adaptations for foraging and dietary habits.