Difference between revisions of "Pilosa" - New World Encyclopedia
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==Overview and characteristics== | ==Overview and characteristics== | ||
| − | Pilosa, comprising the [[anteater]]s and [[sloth]]s, is one of two orders currently placed in the superorder Xenarthra, the other being Order Cingulata ([[armadillo]]s). In the past, Pilosa was regarded as a suborder of the order Xenarthra, while | + | Pilosa, comprising the [[anteater]]s and [[sloth]]s, is one of two orders currently placed in the superorder Xenarthra, the other being Order Cingulata ([[armadillo]]s). In the past, Pilosa was regarded as a suborder of the order Xenarthra, while more recent classifications largely regard Pilosa as an order within the superorder Xenarthra. Earlier still, both armadillos and pilosans were classified together with [[pangolin]]s and the [[aardvark]] as the order [[Edentata]]. It was subsequently realized that Edentata was [[polyphyletic]]—that is, it contained unrelated [[families]]—and was thus invalid. |
| − | Members of the Superorder Xenarthra are characterized by | + | Members of the Superorder Xenarthra are characterized by additional articulations between the lumbar vertebrae known as senarthrous vertebrae or xenarthrales, which distinguish them from other mammals. The name Xenarthra, meaning "strange joints," references this unique characteristic. These lumbar additions are held to support the armadillos in digging and the sloths in handing. Extant xenarthrans also have a double posterior vena cava vein that differs from the single vein in other mammals, and the presence of a divided womb that is reflective of the double womb of [[marsupial]]s albeit primitive. |
| + | The name '''Pilosa''' comes from the [[Latin]] word for "hairy" (Kidd 1973). This term reflects that extant pilosans can be distinguished from extant armadillos in having a significant amount of [[hair]]. They also differ in the absence of armor found in armadillos. | ||
| + | Pilosa is divided into two suborders: Vermilingua ("worm-tongue") comprising the anteaters, and Folivora comprising the sloths. | ||
| − | |||
The [[Biogeography|biogeographic origins]] of the Pilosa is still unclear,<ref>A proposed [[clade]], [[Atlantogenata]], would include Xenarthra and early African mammals.</ref> but they can be traced back in [[South America]] as far as the early [[Paleogene]] (about 60 million years ago, or only a short time after the end of the [[Mesozoic|dinosaur era]]). The presence of these animals in [[Central America]] and their former presence in [[North America]] is a result of the [[Great American Interchange]]. [[Pilosans of the Caribbean|A number of sloths]] were also formerly present on the [[Greater Antilles|Antilles]], which they reached from South America by some combination of [[oceanic dispersal|rafting or floating]] with the prevailing currents. | The [[Biogeography|biogeographic origins]] of the Pilosa is still unclear,<ref>A proposed [[clade]], [[Atlantogenata]], would include Xenarthra and early African mammals.</ref> but they can be traced back in [[South America]] as far as the early [[Paleogene]] (about 60 million years ago, or only a short time after the end of the [[Mesozoic|dinosaur era]]). The presence of these animals in [[Central America]] and their former presence in [[North America]] is a result of the [[Great American Interchange]]. [[Pilosans of the Caribbean|A number of sloths]] were also formerly present on the [[Greater Antilles|Antilles]], which they reached from South America by some combination of [[oceanic dispersal|rafting or floating]] with the prevailing currents. | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
| + | <ref name=LatDic>{{cite book |last=Kidd |first=D.A. |year=1973 |title= Collins Latin Gem Dictionary |publisher= Collins |location= London |isbn=0-00-458641-7|page=248}}</ref> | ||
{{Mammals}} | {{Mammals}} | ||
Revision as of 00:53, 6 June 2014
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 Giant anteater, Myrmecophaga tridactyla
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Pilosa is an order of placental, New World mammals that includes the anteaters (suborder Vermilingua) and the sloths (suborder Folivora). Like the armadillos (order Cingulata), also of superorder Xenarthra, pilosans are distinguished from other mammals by the presence of xenarthrales (additional, unique articulations between lumbar vertebrae), a double posterior vena cava vein, a divided womb in females, who also have a common genital and urinary tract. They differ from armadillos in that extant pilosans lack armor and have a lot of hair. They are found today mainly in Central and South America, although their range extends into Mexico and southern United States.
Overview and characteristics
Pilosa, comprising the anteaters and sloths, is one of two orders currently placed in the superorder Xenarthra, the other being Order Cingulata (armadillos). In the past, Pilosa was regarded as a suborder of the order Xenarthra, while more recent classifications largely regard Pilosa as an order within the superorder Xenarthra. Earlier still, both armadillos and pilosans were classified together with pangolins and the aardvark as the order Edentata. It was subsequently realized that Edentata was polyphyletic—that is, it contained unrelated families—and was thus invalid.
Members of the Superorder Xenarthra are characterized by additional articulations between the lumbar vertebrae known as senarthrous vertebrae or xenarthrales, which distinguish them from other mammals. The name Xenarthra, meaning "strange joints," references this unique characteristic. These lumbar additions are held to support the armadillos in digging and the sloths in handing. Extant xenarthrans also have a double posterior vena cava vein that differs from the single vein in other mammals, and the presence of a divided womb that is reflective of the double womb of marsupials albeit primitive.
The name Pilosa comes from the Latin word for "hairy" (Kidd 1973). This term reflects that extant pilosans can be distinguished from extant armadillos in having a significant amount of hair. They also differ in the absence of armor found in armadillos.
Pilosa is divided into two suborders: Vermilingua ("worm-tongue") comprising the anteaters, and Folivora comprising the sloths.
The biogeographic origins of the Pilosa is still unclear,[1] but they can be traced back in South America as far as the early Paleogene (about 60 million years ago, or only a short time after the end of the dinosaur era). The presence of these animals in Central America and their former presence in North America is a result of the Great American Interchange. A number of sloths were also formerly present on the Antilles, which they reached from South America by some combination of rafting or floating with the prevailing currents.
Classification
Order Pilosa
- Suborder Vermilingua
- Family Cyclopedidae
- Silky anteater, Cyclopes didactylus
- Family Myrmecophagidae
- Giant anteater, Myrmecophaga tridactyla
- Northern tamandua, Tamandua mexicana
- Southern tamandua, Tamandua tetradactyla
- Family Cyclopedidae
- Suborder Folivora
- Family Bradypodidae: three-toed sloths
- Pygmy three-toed sloth, Bradypus pygmaeus
- Brown-throated three-toed sloth, Bradypus variegatus
- Pale-throated three-toed sloth, Bradypus tridactylus
- Maned three-toed sloth, Bradypus torquatus
- Family Megalonychidae: two-toed sloths and extinct megalonychid ground sloths
- Hoffman's two-toed sloth, Choloepus hoffmanni
- Linnaeus's two-toed sloth, Choloepus didactylus
- Family †Megatheriidae: megatheriid ground sloths
- Family †Mylodontidae: mylodontid ground sloths
- Family †Nothrotheriidae: nothrotheriid ground sloths
- Family Bradypodidae: three-toed sloths
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
| Mammals |
|---|
| Monotremata (platypus, echidnas) |
|
Marsupialia: | Paucituberculata (shrew opossums) | Didelphimorphia (opossums) | Microbiotheria | Notoryctemorphia (marsupial moles) | Dasyuromorphia (quolls and dunnarts) | Peramelemorphia (bilbies, bandicoots) | Diprotodontia (kangaroos and relatives) |
|
Placentalia: Cingulata (armadillos) | Pilosa (anteaters, sloths) | Afrosoricida (tenrecs, golden moles) | Macroscelidea (elephant shrews) | Tubulidentata (aardvark) | Hyracoidea (hyraxes) | Proboscidea (elephants) | Sirenia (dugongs, manatees) | Soricomorpha (shrews, moles) | Erinaceomorpha (hedgehogs and relatives) Chiroptera (bats) | Pholidota (pangolins)| Carnivora | Perissodactyla (odd-toed ungulates) | Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates) | Cetacea (whales, dolphins) | Rodentia (rodents) | Lagomorpha (rabbits and relatives) | Scandentia (treeshrews) | Dermoptera (colugos) | Primates | |
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- ↑ A proposed clade, Atlantogenata, would include Xenarthra and early African mammals.
- ↑ Kidd, D.A. (1973). Collins Latin Gem Dictionary. London: Collins. ISBN 0-00-458641-7.
