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Zoo 110 > Felid Form and Function > Flashcards

Felid Form and Function Flashcards

1
Q

Ambush hunting

A

constraints: Prey Size

limited the adaptive radiation of the modern cats

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2
Q

Cursorial

A

hunting by running

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3
Q

Piscivores

A

Fishing

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4
Q

Arboreal Specialists

A

Trees

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5
Q

Pelage

A

Fur: markings and coloring

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6
Q

Crypsis:

A

coloration matches the general habitat

open spaces

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7
Q

disruptive coloration

A

bold patterns on paler ground color

sunlight falling through vegitation

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8
Q

Basic Coat Patterns

A 
Flecked (small spots)
Rosettes
Vertical stripes
Small blotches
Blotches
Uniform (no pattern)
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9
Q

Pelage Function

A

Insulates cats from ambient climate

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10
Q

Weigel

A

All coat patterns derived from large spots

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11
Q

Kingdon

A

Small spots fused to form rosettes and bigger spots

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12
Q

Werdelin and Olsson

A

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

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13
Q

Melanism

A

Dominant in some species (jaguar)

Recessive in others (leopard)

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14
Q

Eyes

A

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

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15
Q

Tapetum lucidum

A

Adaptation for increasing the light sensitivity

reflective layer of cells behind the rods and cones of retina (mirror, brighter image)

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16
Q

Stereoscopic Vision (3D)

A

Cats need stereoscopic vision for judging distance

Greatest degree of stereoscopy among mammals

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17
Q

Hearing

A

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

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18
Q

Hearing-Low Frequency

A

bigger cats are able to hear fainter lower-frequency sounds better than smaller species

lions use low frequency roaring (

19
Q

Smell

A

sense of smell used far less than hearing in hunting prey

Important in intraspecific communication

20
Q

Whiskers (Vibrissae)

A

specialized touch-sensitive hairs (appx 24)
can be deliberately manipulated
aid in Navigation and touch

21
Q

short limbs

A

Powerful leaps
Rapid acceleration
Powerful grasp
Short Distances

22
Q

Long limbs

A

Greater Velocity

Longer Distance

23
Q

skeletal adaptations allow for greater running speeds

A

Extended stride length
Extension of vertebral column
Vestigial clavicle freeing shoulder joint

24
Q

Scapular Shape

A

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

25
Q

Skeletal Shape: ankle joints -Arboreal Cats

A 
flexible-Rotates through 180 degrees
Margay
Marbled cat
Clouded leopard
Sunda clouded leopard

only cats in Felidae family that share this unique ability

26
Q

Skeletal Shape: elbow joint

A

allows inward rotation of paws to grab and manipulate prey

27
Q

Tails: Long

A

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

28
Q

Tails: Short

A

When frostbite can threaten extremities, or when hindrance (water)
Lynx Lineage

29
Q

Paws:

A

Soft Paw Pads for silent approach
Ridges for traction (cheetah’s)
Large foot surface –Snowshoe
Covered in long fur: insulation from cold and heat

30
Q

Claws: Protractile

A

Passive retraction
Active protraction
Hyper-retraction

31
Q

Dewclaws

A

Do not reach ground or protract.

Used for grasping prey

32
Q

Hind claws

A

Less curved, more blade like

Used in lacerating or disemboweling -Raking Movement

33
Q

Skulls, Jaws, Teeth

A

Small cats have larger brains
Small cats have larger eyes
Small cats have smaller jaw muscles

34
Q

Nape bite

A

Smaller prey

Dislocation of the cervical vertebrae by the canine teeth

35
Q

Throat-or snout-covering bite

A

Larger prey
Kills by suffocation
May not even break the skin of prey

36
Q

Teeth: Carnassials

A

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

37
Q

Teeth: Incisors

A

Remove meat from bone

38
Q

Canine Teeth

A 
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
39
Q

Tongues

A

Horny papillae: Keratin based, Grooming comb, rasping meat off bone
Taste buds –‘flavors’ are limited, cats can detect the freshness of scavenged items

40
Q

Guts

A

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

41
Q

Urine

A

Cats are able to distinguish

  • Individuals
  • Different sexes
  • Reproductive status
42
Q

Vomeronasal Organ

A

Also called Jacobson’s organ
Small pit behind upper incisors
Not restricted to males

Able to distinguish: Individuals, different sexes, Health,, Reproductive status

43
Q

Scent Glands

A

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

Zoo 110 (12 decks)

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