Felid Form and Function Flashcards
Ambush hunting
constraints: Prey Size
limited the adaptive radiation of the modern cats
Cursorial
hunting by running
Piscivores
Fishing
Arboreal Specialists
Trees
Pelage
Fur: markings and coloring
Crypsis:
coloration matches the general habitat
open spaces
disruptive coloration
bold patterns on paler ground color
sunlight falling through vegitation
Basic Coat Patterns
Flecked (small spots) Rosettes Vertical stripes Small blotches Blotches Uniform (no pattern)
Pelage Function
Insulates cats from ambient climate
Weigel
All coat patterns derived from large spots
Kingdon
Small spots fused to form rosettes and bigger spots
Werdelin and Olsson
Agreed with Kingdon but thought the pattern that develops is predicted by the size and shape of the animal when pre-pattern is formed
Werdelinand Olsson were correct! Showed that flecks are the primitive felid character from which the other 5 main coat patterns evolved
Melanism
Dominant in some species (jaguar)
Recessive in others (leopard)
Eyes
Nocturnal or crepuscular hunters
Eyes must function in darkness and Also in broad daylight
cats have sacrificed visual acuity for greater sensitivity under low light levels
Tapetum lucidum
Adaptation for increasing the light sensitivity
reflective layer of cells behind the rods and cones of retina (mirror, brighter image)
Stereoscopic Vision (3D)
Cats need stereoscopic vision for judging distance
Greatest degree of stereoscopy among mammals
Hearing
many cats rely on hearing to detect and capture prey when it cannot be easily seen
High-frequency hearing may allow them to detect the ultrasonic communication of rodents
Hearing-Low Frequency
bigger cats are able to hear fainter lower-frequency sounds better than smaller species
lions use low frequency roaring (
Smell
sense of smell used far less than hearing in hunting prey
Important in intraspecific communication
Whiskers (Vibrissae)
specialized touch-sensitive hairs (appx 24)
can be deliberately manipulated
aid in Navigation and touch
short limbs
Powerful leaps
Rapid acceleration
Powerful grasp
Short Distances
Long limbs
Greater Velocity
Longer Distance
skeletal adaptations allow for greater running speeds
Extended stride length
Extension of vertebral column
Vestigial clavicle freeing shoulder joint
Scapular Shape
Reflects Lifestyle
Cheetahs –narrow and rectangular for running
Leopard –broad and fan shaped for climbing
Lion –intermediate to suit its intermediate climbing and running abilities
Skeletal Shape: ankle joints -Arboreal Cats
flexible-Rotates through 180 degrees Margay Marbled cat Clouded leopard Sunda clouded leopard
only cats in Felidae family that share this unique ability
Skeletal Shape: elbow joint
allows inward rotation of paws to grab and manipulate prey
Tails: Long
margay, Marbled cat, Clouded Leopards –For balance
pallas’ cat, Andean cat, snow leopard –capable of covering nose and paws
Arboreal cats can have tails 106.7% of head/body length
Tails: Short
When frostbite can threaten extremities, or when hindrance (water)
Lynx Lineage
Paws:
Soft Paw Pads for silent approach
Ridges for traction (cheetah’s)
Large foot surface –Snowshoe
Covered in long fur: insulation from cold and heat
Claws: Protractile
Passive retraction
Active protraction
Hyper-retraction
Dewclaws
Do not reach ground or protract.
Used for grasping prey
Hind claws
Less curved, more blade like
Used in lacerating or disemboweling -Raking Movement
Skulls, Jaws, Teeth
Small cats have larger brains
Small cats have larger eyes
Small cats have smaller jaw muscles
Nape bite
Smaller prey
Dislocation of the cervical vertebrae by the canine teeth
Throat-or snout-covering bite
Larger prey
Kills by suffocation
May not even break the skin of prey
Teeth: Carnassials
The large upper premolar and lower molar teeth of a carnivore, adapted for shearing flesh
Used for slicing through tough skin and pieces of muscle too large to swallow
Occlusion between upper and lower
Teeth: Incisors
Remove meat from bone
Canine Teeth
Fracture resistant (struggling prey, bone) 20% of larger felid skulls had broken at least one tooth and over half were canines When canines are being use, carnassials do not engage (prevent damage during killing
Tongues
Horny papillae: Keratin based, Grooming comb, rasping meat off bone
Taste buds –‘flavors’ are limited, cats can detect the freshness of scavenged items
Guts
Cats are obligate carnivores
Cats have shorter intestines (vs. other mammals)
Meat is easy to digest
Needs to move through digestive system quickly due to rotting
Urine
Cats are able to distinguish
- Individuals
- Different sexes
- Reproductive status
Vomeronasal Organ
Also called Jacobson’s organ
Small pit behind upper incisors
Not restricted to males
Able to distinguish: Individuals, different sexes, Health,, Reproductive status
Scent Glands
Facial: Chin, cheeks, lips and around the mystacial and genal whiskers : rubbed against objects and other cats
Interdigital glands: Between the toes
Supracaudal: Above root of the tail
Anal sacs:
Anal glands: In the skin surrounding the anus, lipid rich secretions