6. Traditionally, five subfamilies have been distinguished within the Felidae
based on phenotypical features: the Felinae, the ,
the Acinonychinae (cheetahs), the extinct Machairodontinae, and the
extinct Proailurinae.
Molecular phylogenetic analysis suggests that living (extant) felids fall
into eight lineages (clades). The placement of the cheetah within the
Puma lineage invalidates the traditional subfamily Acinonychinae, and
recent sources use only two subfamilies for extant genera. The eight
lineages divide between these as follows:
Subfamily Pantherinae:
Lineage 1 (Panthera lineage): Panthera, Neofelis
Subfamily Felinae:
Lineage 2 (Bay cat lineage): Pardofelis, Catopuma
Lineage 3 (Caracal lineage): Leptailurus, Caracal (including Profelis)
Lineage 4 (Ocelot cat lineage): Leopardus
Lineage 5 (Lynx lineage): Lynx
Lineage 6 (Puma lineage): Puma, Acinonyx
Lineage 7 (Leopard cat lineage): Prionailurus, Otocolobus
Lineage 8 (Domestic cat lineage): Felis