Carnivora

Question 1

What phylogenetic level is carnivora ?

Answer 1

It is an order

Question 2

There are….. species in ….. families

Answer 2

283 species

15 families

Question 3

Describe the main dental adaption of carnivores

Answer 3

Large Canines

Question 4

What is the diet of the organisms within the carnivora ?

Answer 4

Carnivores, Insectivores, Vegetarians, Omnivores

Question 5

What are the carnassial teeth ?

Answer 5

Cusps on;
The last upper premolar
The first lower molar
form carnassial teeth, slice meat

Question 6

How do carnivores communicate socially ?

Answer 6

Through complex chemical signals

Skin, urine, faeces

Question 7

Give the family which contains the majority of the Civets.

Answer 7

Family Viverridae

Question 8

How are civets utilised by humans ?

Answer 8

They are farmed for there smell, used in perfumes

Question 9

Give the 4 species of the hyena family

Answer 9

Spotted
Striped
Brown
Aardwolf

Question 10

What is the benefit to the hyena of highly conc. HCL in its stomach ?

Answer 10

Highly effective at extracting nutrients from bone

Question 11

What is a pseudopenis ? Hyenas

Answer 11

Enlarged clitoris, creates female hierarchy and is what the females mate and give birth through.

Question 12

What other pseudo-genitalia do hyenas have ?

Answer 12

Pseudotestes

Question 13

Give the species in the family Ursidae

Answer 13

Bears

Question 14

What is the diet of the panda, Ursidae ?

Answer 14

Mainly herbivorous, sometimes eats meat
Teeth modified to eat plants
High consumption

Question 15

What a pseudo thumb ?

Answer 15

Found in pandas, Ursidae

Modified wrist bone to help process food

Question 16

What is another name for the organisms within the Felidae ?

Answer 16

Cats

Question 17

Describe the usual composition of a lion pride.

Answer 17

4-12 related females (cousins)
Sub adult males (tolerated)
Breeding male, from different pride.

Question 18

What is allosuckiling in lions ?

Answer 18

If female lions give birth to offspring at a similar time will enable suckling of relatives offspring
(Kin selection)

Question 19

What is infanticide In lions ?

Answer 19

Incoming males will kill young to gain paternity faster.

Females will come into season more quickly

Question 20

How can infanticide in lions be thwarted ?

Answer 20

Females are good at hiding young, some will survive.

Question 21

Give another name for the family Canidae

Answer 21

Dogs

Question 22

Canidae exhibit co-operation in…

Answer 22

Hunting and rearing young

Question 23

Explain how dogs exhibit kin selection ?

Answer 23

Many species will reach sexual maturity and instead of mating will help rear siblings
(carry similar genes)

Question 24

Describe how silver backed jackals act as helpers

Answer 24

Juveniles will stay in parental ranges as helpers
Bring food and give protection
Delay own reproduction by a year to help raise siblings

Question 25

Why do silver backed jackals act as helpers ?

Answer 25

Increase survival rates of kin,

May inherit paternal territories.

Question 26

Give some examples of the families contained within the Carnivora.

Answer 26

Family Canidae
Family Ursidae 
Family Felidae 
Family Mustelidae (otter, skunk)
Family Hyena 
Super Family Pinnipeds

Question 27

What are the carnassial teeth ?

Answer 27

The first molar on the lower jaw and the last premolar on the upper jaw
Used as shearing teeth.