Carnivora Flashcards
***still have to add pictures from lab
Order Carnivora
IC Eutheria
Suborders: Caniformia, Feliformia
- Carnassial complex P4/m1 for shearing
- Fronto-parietal suture is posterior relative to the post orbital constricture.
- Fused scaphoid, lunate, and centrale bones in the wrist
- Loss of the third trochanter on the femur
Suborder Feliformia
Infraclass Eutheria
Order Carnivora
- Loss or reduction of P1 and M3.
- Double-chambered auditory bullae
Family Felidae
Local spp: Puma concolor, Lynx rufus
IC Eutheria
O Carnivora
sO Feliformia
- Short rostrum
- Dental reduction, particularly molars
- Well-developed carnassial complex
- Postorbital process present
[-Paroccipital process flattened against bullae]
- Retractile claws (except in cheetahs)
- Strong forelimbs that can be rotated palm up
Why is cheetah skull so much lighter than puma skull?
They have different prey: cheetah needs to be able to run very fast to catch savanna ungulates, can’t be weighed down by a large skull (open environment)
How do stripes, spots and other patterns conceal felid predators from their prey?
Break up the outline of the animal
-Felids are stalking predators: must get very close to prey before they deliver a killing bite
Puma concolor
puma, mountain lion, cougar
IC Eutheria
O Carnivora
sO Feliformia
Family Felidae
-light in color
Lynx rufus
bobcat Infraclass Eutheria Order Carnivora Suborder feliformia Family Felidae
Family Hyaenidae
hyaena, aardwolf Infraclass Eutheria Order Carnivora Suborder Feliformia -family of extremes -teeth adapted for bone crushing (hyaena = true carnivore) or reduced (aardwolf = myrmecophagous) -large canines
Family Herpestidae
mongoose Infraclass Eutheria Order Carnivora Suborder Feliformia -Septum on the auditory bulla is horizontal forming an H shape (see picture) -Nonretractable claws -4-5 digits
How is diet of Herpestids different from that of Felids, and how is that reflected in shape/structure of their teeth?
Herpestids are not as carnivorous as felids –flatter/more bunodont molars –not as much room for temporalis muscle attachment
Family Viverridae
genet, civet Infraclass Eutheria Order Carnivora Suborder Feliformia -Septum on the auditory bulla is diagonal forming a V shape (see picture) -Retractable claws -5 digits
How is diet of Viverrids reflected by their tooth structure, as compared to Herpestids and Felids?
Viverrids are not as carnivorous as Felids; more similar to Herpestids -not as much room for temporalis muscle attachment -more bunodont molars
Suborder Caniformia
Infraclass Eutheria Order Carnivora -Molars and premolars not reduced in number -Large, elaborate baculum
Family Canidae
dogs, foxes, wolves, coyotes Infraclass Eutheria Order Carnivora Suborder Caniformia -omnivorous -worldwide distribution -Shearing carnassials -Crushing post-carnassial teeth -Elongate rostrum -Paroccipital processes present -Last upper molar relatively large and transversely elongate
What are the main ways to distinguish skulls of canids and felids?
-shape of skull (canids tend to have longer rostrum) -flatter cheekteeth -last upper molar not as reduced in canids
Canis latrans
coyote Infraclass Eutheria Order Carnivora Suborder Caniformia Family Canidae -gray or reddish-gray fur
Vulpes macrotis
kit fox Infraclass Eutheria Order Carnivora Suborder Caniformia Family Canidae -temporal ridge forms a V -seasonally carnivorous/omnivorous
Vulpes vulpes
red fox Infraclass Eutheria Order Carnivora Suborder Caniformia Family Canidae -temporal ridge forms a V -seasonally carnivorous/omnivorous
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
gray fox Infraclass Eutheria Order Carnivora Suborder Caniformia Family Canidae -temporal ridge forms a U -distinct step at posterior end of dentary bone -molars have more surface area = probably related to more omnivorous diet
Urocyon littoralis
island fox Infraclass Eutheria Order Carnivora Suborder Caniformia Family Canidae -temporal ridge forms a U -distinct step at posterior end of dentary bone -molars have more surface area = probably related to more omnivorous diet
How can you tell the difference between a dog and coyote skull?
-coyote’s profile should be a flat slope while dog’s profile has inflated frontals (and a more defined forehead) -cranial portion of the skull being more sharply demarcated from the rostral portion
Family Mustelidae
weasel, marten, badger, otter Infraclass Eutheria Order Carnivora Suborder Caniformia -Mandibular fossa strongly C-shaped restricting lateral movement -Dorso-ventrally flattened skull -Relatively large, squarish or hourglass-shaped M1 -Short rostrum, long braincase
Mustela erminea
short-tailed weasel or ermine Infraclass Eutheria Order Carnivora Suborder Caniformia Family Mustelidae -Mustela dental formula 3/3, 1/1, 3/3, 1/2
Mustela frenata
long-tailed weasel InfC Eutheria O Carnivora sO Caniformia F Mustelidae -Mustela dental formula 3/3, 1/1, 3/3, 1/2
Neovision vison
mink InfC Eutheria O Carnivora sO Caniformia F Mustelidae
Martes pennanti
fisher InfC Eutheria O Carnivora sO Caniformia F Mustelidae -Martes dental formula 3/3, 1/1, 4/4, 1/2
Martes americana
marten InfC Eutheria O Carnivora sO Caniformia F Mustelidae -Martes dental formula 3/3, 1/1, 4/4, 1/2
Gulo gulo
wolverine InfC Eutheria O Carnivora sO Caniformia F Mustelidae
Taxidea taxus
badger InfC Eutheria O Carnivora sO Caniformia F Mustelidae
Lontra canadensis
river otter InfC Eutheria O Carnivora sO Caniformia F Mustelidae -mostly piscivorous -more pointed teeth than sea otter, which eats mostly abalone
Enhydra lutris
sea otter IC Eutheria O Carnivora sO Caniformia F Mustelidae -densest fur of all mammals: traps a layer of air against the skin = insulating against cold ocean temperatures -eat primarily abalone = crushing molars
Family Mephitidae
skunks, stink badgers Local spp: Mephitis mephitis (striped skunk) Spilogale putoris (spotted skunk) IC Eutheria O Carnivora sO Caniformia -Skull is similar to Mustelids but molars are more square -Enlarged scent glands -Black and white fur to advertise foul scent
Mephitis mephitis
striped skunk IC Eutheria O Carnivora sO Caniformia F Mephitidae -two white stripes down body advertise noxious anal gland secretions -adapted for digging, strong forearms and long claws -nocturnal, solitary, omnivorous
Spilogale putoris
spotted skunk IC Eutheria O Carnivora sO Caniformia F Mephitidae -black and white spots advertise noxious anal gland secretions -smaller/more weasel-like than striped skunks -adapted for digging, strong forearms and long claws -nocturnal, solitary, omnivorous
Family Procyonidae
raccoon, olingo, coati, ringtail Local spp: Procyon lotor (raccoon) Bassariscus astutus IC Eutheria O Carnivora sO Caniformia Synapomorphies: -Lack carnassial complex -Dental formula: 3/3, 1/1, 4/4, 2/2 -Five digits, plantigrade -molars bunodont, laterally widened -many have tail with alternating black/off-white rings -share loss of all third molars with Mustelidae (probably closely related)
Family Ursidae
bears Local spp: Ursus americanus (black bear) IC Eutheria O Carnivora sO Caniformia -Lack carnassial complex -Molars have enlarged crushing surfaces (elongate, providing ample surface area for crushing) -Last upper molar large, elongate anteroposteriorly -Dental formula: 3/3, 1/1, 4/4, 2/3 (premolars are variable) -Five digits, plantigrade
What is the difference between molariform teethy in Procyonidae and Ursidae?
Procyonidae: molars laterally widened Ursidae: molars elongate
Ursus americanus
black bear IC Eutheria O Carnivora sO Caniformia F Ursidae -strictly NA in distribution, acclimating to human presence = inc. local populations -vision not acute, rely heavily on olfaction and hearing -excellent climbers -quicker and more agile than they appear
Superfamily Pinnipedia
pinnipeds IC Eutheria O Carnivora sO Caniformia -2 lower incisors -More homodont dentition than other carnivorans, specialized for eating fish
What are primary features used to distinguish between pinniped skulls?
postorbital process? Yes: Otariidae multi-cusped teeth? alisphenoid canal? No: Phocidae
Family Odobenidae
walrus IC Eutheria O Carnivora sO Caniformia SF Pinnipedia -canines modified into tusks (both sexes) -lack lower I’s -a lot of time spent caring for young -postorbital process absent -alisphenoid present -mastoid not fused with paraoccipital -jugal/squamosal slight overlap -auditory bulla small and flat
Family Phocidae
earless seal Local spp: Mirounga angustirostris (elephant seal) Phoca vitulina (harbor seal) IC Eutheria O Carnivora SO Caniformia SF Pinnipedia -postorbital process absent -alisphenoid absent -Multi-cusped cheek teeth -External ear lacking -Hind limb cannot be brought under body for terrestrial locomotion -little time spent caring for young after they are born -mastoid not fused with paraoccipital -jugal/squamosal interlock -auditory bulla large and inflated
Family Otariidae
eared or fur seals Local spp: Callorhinus ursinus (Northern fur seal) Eumetopius jubatus (Stellar’s sea lion) Zalophus californianus (California sea lion) IC Eutheria O Carnivora sO Caniformia SF Pinnipedia -postorbital process present -alisphenoid present -single cusped cheek teeth -small external ear -hindlimbs can be brought under body for terrestrial locomotion = much more terrestrial than phocids -frontals extend into nasals -mastoid fused with paraoccipital -jugal/squamosal overlap -auditory bulla small and flat
Mirounga angustirostris
elephant seal IC Eutheria O Carnivora sO Caniformia SF Pinnipedia F Phocidae
Phoca vitulina
harbor seal IC Eutheria O Carnivora sO Caniformia SF Pinnipedia F Phocidae
Callorhinus ursinus
Northern fur seal IC Eutheria O Carnivora sO Caniformia SF Pinnipedia F Otariidae -can rotate hindlimbs under body = more terrestrial than phocids
Eumetopius jubatus
Stellar’s sea lion IC Eutheria O Carnivora sO Caniformia SF Pinnipedia F Otariidae -can rotate hindlimbs under body = more terrestrial than phocids
Zalophus californianus
California sea lion IC Eutheria O Carnivora sO Caniformia SF Pinnipedia -can rotate hindlimbs under body = more terrestrial than phocids
Procyon lotor
raccoon IC Eutheria O Carnivora sO Caniformia F Procyonidae
Bassariscus astutus
ringtail IC Eutheria O Carnivora sO Caniformia F Procyonidae
Does this skull belong to an eared or earless seal? How can you tell?
eared seal (F Otariidae) skulls have postorbital process
earless seal (F Phocidae) skulls do not have a postorbital process
Therefore, this skull must belong to an eared seal (spp. Eumetopius jubatus = Stellar’s sea lion)
What does this animal eat?
- triangular, fairly homodont cheekteeth
- no molariform teeth
This animal probably eats fish
What suborder does the dentition of this mammal suggest it belongs to?
- huge carnassial complex suggests O Carnivora
- reduction/loss of P1 and M3 suggests sO Feliformia
What local species does this skull belong to?
Taxidea taxus (badger)
- mandibular fossa strongly C-shaped = restricts lateral movement
- short rostrum, long braincase
What is this local species?
Taxidea taxus
badger
IC Eutheria
O Carnivora
sO Caniformia
F Mustelidae
What mustelid does this skull belong to?
Gulo gulo
wolverine
IC Eutheria
O Carnivora
sO Caniformia
F Mustelidae
Spilogale putoris
spotted skunk
IC Eutheria
O Carnivora
sO Caniformia
F Mephitidae
How can you tell the difference between a procyonid skull and a mephitid skull?
How can you tell the difference between the skull of a procyonid and that of an ursid?
- both lack carnassial complex
- both have bunodont molars
- molar teeth laterally widened in Procyonidae, more elongate in Ursidae
- Ursidae skulls will be larger
