Difference between revisions of "Felidae" - New World Encyclopedia

From New World Encyclopedia
(starting work on article, the section on evolution seemed like a lot of speculation to me so I removed it)
Line 6: Line 6:
 
| image = Panthera tigris tigris edited2.jpg
 
| image = Panthera tigris tigris edited2.jpg
 
| image_width = 250px
 
| image_width = 250px
−
| image_caption = [[Tiger]], the largest feline found in nature.
+
| image_caption = [[Tiger]]
 
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
 
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
 
| phylum = [[chordate|Chordata]]
 
| phylum = [[chordate|Chordata]]
Line 12: Line 12:
 
| ordo = [[Carnivora]]
 
| ordo = [[Carnivora]]
 
| familia = '''Felidae'''
 
| familia = '''Felidae'''
−
| familia_authority = [[Johann Fischer von Waldheim|G. Fischer de Waldheim]], 1817
+
| familia_authority = G. Fischer de Waldheim, 1817
 
| subdivision_ranks = Subfamilies
 
| subdivision_ranks = Subfamilies
 
| subdivision =  
 
| subdivision =  
−
[[Felinae]]<br />
+
Felinae<br />
−
[[Pantherinae]]<br />
+
Pantherinae<br />
−
†[[Machairodontinae]]
+
†Machairodontinae
 
}}
 
}}
−
The '''Felidae''' [[family (biology)|family]] includes the [[Lion]], the [[Tiger]], the [[cat|Domestic Cat]], and other cats as its members. They are the most strictly [[Carnivore|carnivorous]] [[mammals]] of the nine families in the [[order (biology)|order]] [[Carnivora]]. The first felids emerged during the [[Oligocene]], about 30 million [[year]]s ago. The most familiar feline is the Domestic Cat or House Cat, which first became associated with humans thousands of years ago. Its wild relative, the [[Wildcat]], still lives in [[Europe]], [[Africa]] and western [[Asia]], although [[habitat destruction]] has restricted its range. Whether the Domestic Cat and the Wildcat should be classified as separate [[species]] remains controversial, but the most recent classification separates them.
+
The '''Felidae''' or '''cat''' [[family (biology)|family]] (also called '''felines''') is a part of the order [[Carnivora]] within the [[mammal]]s. It contains about 41 species including large animals such as the [[lion]] and the [[tiger]], as well as smaller ones such as the bobcat and the [[cat|domestic cat]].  
  
−
Other well-known members of the feline family include [[big cat]]s such as the Lion, the Tiger, the [[Leopard]], the [[Jaguar]], the [[Cougar]], and the [[Cheetah]], and other wild cats such as the [[Lynx]], the [[Caracal]], and the [[Bobcat]]. The [[extinct]] subfamily [[Machairodontinae]], including the "[[saber-toothed cats]]" such as the well known ''[[Smilodon]]'', were also true felines, in contrast to similar animals such as ''[[Thylacosmilus]]'' or [[Nimravidae]].
+
==Characteristics==
  
−
==Evolution==
+
Like most other members of the Carnivora (carnivores), cats mainly get food by killing and eating other animals. They are more strictly carnivorous than most other carnivore families. The teeth of cats are well suited to their diet, with long canines for gripping prey and blade-like molars for cutting flesh.
−
There are 41 known species of felines in the world today which have all descended from a common ancestor of c. 10.8 million years ago. This species originated in Asia and spread across [[continent]]s by crossing [[land bridge]]s. As reported in the journal ''[[Science (journal)|Science]]'', testing of [[mitochondrial DNA|mitochondrial]] and [[nuclear DNA]] by Warren Johnson and Stephen O'Brien of the U.S. [[National Cancer Institute]] demonstrated that ancient cats evolved into eight main lineages that diverged in the course of at least 10 [[migration]]s (in both directions) from continent to continent via the [[Bering land bridge]] and [[Isthmus of Panama]]. The ''[[Panthera]]'' species are the oldest and the ''[[Felis]]'' species are the youngest. They estimated that 60 percent of the modern species of cats developed within the last million years.<ref name =Mott>{{cite web| last = Mott| first = Maryann| title = Cats Climb New family Tree| publisher = National Geographic News| date = January 11, 2006| url = http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/01/0111_060111_cat_evolution.html| accessdate =  2006-07-15}}</ref> Most felids have a [[haploid]] number of 18 or 19. New world cats (those in Central and South America) have a haploid number of 18, possibly due to the combination of two smaller [[chromosome]]s into one larger chromosome.<ref name = robinson>{{cite book| last = Vella | first = Carolyn| authorlink =  | coauthors = ''et al.'' | title = Robinson's Genetics for Cat Breeders and Veterinarians, 4th ed.| publisher = Butterworh-Heinemann | date = 2002 | location = Oxford| id = ISBN 0-7506-4069-3 }}</ref>
 
  
−
Prior to this discovery, [[Biology|biologists]] had been largely unable to establish a family tree of cats from the [[fossil]] record because the fossils of different cat species all look very much alike, differing primarily in size.
+
==Role in nature==
−
 
+
==Felines and humans==
−
The felines' closest relatives are thought to be the [[civet]]s, [[hyena]]s, and [[mongoose]]s. All feline species share a genetic anomaly that prevents them from tasting sweetness.<ref name =PLOS>{{cite web| last = Xia| first = Li| coauthors = et.al.| title = Pseudogenization of a Sweet-Receptor Gene Accounts for Cats' Indifference toward Sugar| publisher = Public Library of Science| date = July 2005| url = http://genetics.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pgen.0010003| accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}</ref>
 
  
 +
==Fossil felines==
 +
The oldest known true feline (''Proailurus'') lived in the [[Oligocene]] and [[Miocene]] eras. During the Miocene it gave way to ''Pseudaelurus''. ''Pseudaelurus'' is believed to be the latest common ancestor of the two extant subfamilies and the extinct subfamily, Machairodontinae. This group, better known as the sabertooth cats, became extinct in the Late [[Pleistocene]] era. It includes the genera ''Smilodon'', ''Machairodus'', ''Dinofelis'' and ''Homotherium''.
 
==Classification==
 
==Classification==
 
[[Image:Felis catus-skull-drawing.jpg|thumb|Wildcat skull]]
 
[[Image:Felis catus-skull-drawing.jpg|thumb|Wildcat skull]]
Line 36: Line 36:
 
** Subfamily [[Felinae]]
 
** Subfamily [[Felinae]]
 
*** Genus ''[[Felis]]''
 
*** Genus ''[[Felis]]''
−
**** [[Chinese Mountain Cat]] (''[[Felis bieti]]'')
+
**** Chinese Mountain Cat (''Felis bieti'')
−
**** [[Domestic Cat]] (''[[Felis catus]]'')
+
**** [[Domestic Cat]] (''Felis catus'')
−
**** [[Jungle Cat]] (''[[Felis chaus]]'')
+
**** Jungle Cat (''Felis chaus'')
−
**** [[Pallas's Cat]] (''[[Felis manul]]'')
+
**** Pallas's Cat (''Felis manul'')
−
**** [[Sand Cat]] (''[[Felis margarita]]'')
+
**** Sand Cat (''Felis margarita'')
−
**** [[Black-footed Cat]] (''[[Felis nigripes]]'')
+
**** Black-footed Cat (''Felis nigripes'')
−
**** [[Wildcat]] (''[[Felis sylvestris]]'')
+
**** Wildcat (''Felis sylvestris'')
 
*** Genus ''[[Prionailurus]]''
 
*** Genus ''[[Prionailurus]]''
 
**** [[Leopard Cat]] (''[[Prionailurus bengalensis]]'')
 
**** [[Leopard Cat]] (''[[Prionailurus bengalensis]]'')
Line 105: Line 105:
 
*Lineage 8: ''[[Felis]]''
 
*Lineage 8: ''[[Felis]]''
  
−
==Fossil felines==
 
−
The oldest known true feline (''[[Proailurus]]'') lived in the [[Oligocene]] and [[Miocene]] eras. During the Miocene it gave way to ''[[Pseudaelurus]]''. ''Pseudaelurus'' is believed to be the latest common ancestor of the two extant subfamilies and the extinct subfamily, [[Machairodontinae]]. This group, better known as the sabertooth cats, became extinct in the Late [[Pleistocene]] era. It includes the genera ''Smilodon'', ''[[Machairodus]]'', ''[[Dinofelis]]'' and ''[[Homotherium]]''.
 
−
 
−
==See also==
 
−
*[[Phantom cat]]
 
−
*[[Panthera hybrid]] for hybrids such as [[liger]]s
 
−
 
−
==Cited references==
 
−
{{reflist}}
 
−
 
−
==General references==
 
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
* Mott, M. (January 11, 2006). [http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/01/0111_060111_cat_evolution.html Cats Climb New family Tree]. National Geographic News
 
* Mott, M. (January 11, 2006). [http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/01/0111_060111_cat_evolution.html Cats Climb New family Tree]. National Geographic News

Revision as of 17:02, 14 May 2007

Felines[1]
Fossil range: Eocene - Recent
Tiger
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
G. Fischer de Waldheim, 1817
Subfamilies

Felinae
Pantherinae
†Machairodontinae

The Felidae or cat family (also called felines) is a part of the order Carnivora within the mammals. It contains about 41 species including large animals such as the lion and the tiger, as well as smaller ones such as the bobcat and the domestic cat.

Characteristics

Like most other members of the Carnivora (carnivores), cats mainly get food by killing and eating other animals. They are more strictly carnivorous than most other carnivore families. The teeth of cats are well suited to their diet, with long canines for gripping prey and blade-like molars for cutting flesh.

Role in nature

Felines and humans

Fossil felines

The oldest known true feline (Proailurus) lived in the Oligocene and Miocene eras. During the Miocene it gave way to Pseudaelurus. Pseudaelurus is believed to be the latest common ancestor of the two extant subfamilies and the extinct subfamily, Machairodontinae. This group, better known as the sabertooth cats, became extinct in the Late Pleistocene era. It includes the genera Smilodon, Machairodus, Dinofelis and Homotherium.

Classification

Wildcat skull
Lion
  • FAMILY FELIDAE
    • Subfamily Felinae
      • Genus Felis
        • Chinese Mountain Cat (Felis bieti)
        • Domestic Cat (Felis catus)
        • Jungle Cat (Felis chaus)
        • Pallas's Cat (Felis manul)
        • Sand Cat (Felis margarita)
        • Black-footed Cat (Felis nigripes)
        • Wildcat (Felis sylvestris)
      • Genus Prionailurus
        • Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis)
        • Iriomote Cat (Prionailurus iriomotensis)
        • Flat-headed Cat (Prionailurus planiceps)
        • Rusty-spotted Cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus)
        • Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus)
      • Genus Puma
      • Genus Acinonyx
      • Genus Lynx
        • Canadian Lynx (Lynx canadensis)
        • Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx)
        • Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus)
        • Bobcat (Lynx rufus)
      • Genus Leopardus
        • Pantanal (Leopardus braccatus)
        • Colocolo (Leopardus colocolo)
        • Geoffroy's Cat (Leopardus geoffroyi)
        • Kodkod (Leopardus guigna)
        • Andean Mountain Cat (Leopardus jacobitus)
        • Pampas Cat (Leopardus pajeros)
        • Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)
        • Oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus)
        • Margay (Leopardus wiedii)
      • Genus Leptailurus
        • Serval (Leptailurus serval)
      • Genus Caracal
        • Caracal (Caracal caracal)
      • Genus Profelis
        • African Golden Cat (Profelis aurata)
      • Genus Catopuma
        • Bay Cat (Catopuma badia)
        • Asian Golden Cat (Catopuma temminckii)
      • Genus Pardofelis
        • Marbled Cat (Pardofelis marmorata)
    • Subfamily Pantherinae
      • Genus Neofelis
        • Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)
        • Bornean Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diardi)
      • Genus Panthera
      • Genus Uncia
        • Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia)

Alternative classification

Genetic research gives a more concise classification for the cat family [2][1]:

  • Lineage 1: Panthera, Uncia, Neofelis
  • Lineage 2: Pardofelis, Catopuma,
  • Lineage 3: Leptailurus, Caracal, Profelis
  • Lineage 4: Leopardus
  • Lineage 5: Lynx
  • Lineage 6: Puma, Herpailurus, Acinonyx
  • Lineage 7: Prionailurus
  • Lineage 8: Felis

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

Credits

New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:

The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:

Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 W. C. Wozencraft, "Order Carnivora," in D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder (eds.), Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. (Washington : Smithsonian Institution Press, 1993). ISBN 1560982179.
  2. ↑ W.E. Johnson et al.: The Late Miocene radiation of Modern Felidae: A genetic assessment. Science, Bd. 311, S. 73-77, Jan. 2006
Retrieved from https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php?title=Felidae&oldid=288357

Content is available under Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License; additional terms may apply. See Terms of Use for details.
Copyright Logo
Powered by MediaWiki