dogs and cats: carnivores

1. *Latin word carne = "flesh“
vorare = "to devour“
*12 families
260 species
*meat-eaters
but some actually don’t
*synapomorphy
canines
possession of carnassial teeth

2. *molar and premolar teeth
first lower molar (M1)
fourth upper premolars (P4)
-carnassial pair
*modified for shearing and shredding flesh
sharp cutting edges
scissor-like motion
*diphyodont
two successive sets of teeth

3. *two Suborders
1. Feliformia
“cat-like”
2. Caniformia
“dog-like”
*structure of auditory bullae

4. *auditory bullae
double-chambered
two bones joined by a septum
*shorter rostrums
fewer teeth
more specialized carnassials
*digitigrade (walking on toes)
*retractile to semi-retractile claws
*more carnivorous and ambush hunter
double-chambered
septum
digitigrade
retractile claws

5. *Extant Families
Felidae (True Cat Family)
Hyaenidae (Hyena Family)
Herpestidae (Mongoose Family)
Viverridae (Civet Family)

6. *Feliformia
subfamily Pantherinae “big cats”
tiger, lion, jaguar, leopard
subfamily Felinae “small cats”
domestic cats, cougar,
cheetah, caracal
*obligate carnivores

7. *ability to roar (Pantherinae)
free floating hyoid bone
specialized larynx
*Felinae can’t roar
hardened hyoid bone
but can purr

8. Standing posture Feeding behavior

9. *auditory bullae
single-chambered
*long muzzle
more teeth
less specialized carnassials
*plantigrade (walking on sole)
except Canidae
*non-retractile claws
auditory bullae
plantigrade Canids have longer snout

10. lion digitigrade
polar bear plantigrade
auditory bullae
tracks

11. ”false saber tooth cats”
*extinct
*different structure of ear bones
no septum
cartilaginous housing

12. *Extant Families
Canidae (Dog Family)
Ursidae (Bear Family)
Mephitidae (Skunk Family)
Mustelidae (Weasel Family)
Procoynidae (Raccoon Family)
clade Pinnipedia (Aquatic Carnivores)

13. *clade Pinnipedia
Phocidae (Eareless Seal Family)
Otariidae (Eared Seal Family)
Odobenidae (Walrus Family)

14. *Caniformia
subfamily Canini “true dogs”
domestic dog, wolf,
coyote, jackal
subfamily Vulpini “foxes”
arctic fox, red fox,
bat-eared fox

15. tail
size
flattened skull
skull shape