Felid Form and Function Flashcards by Elizabeth Leikam

Ambush hunting

constraints: Prey Size

limited the adaptive radiation of the modern cats

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Cursorial

hunting by running

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Piscivores

Fishing

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Arboreal Specialists

Trees

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Pelage

Fur: markings and coloring

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Crypsis:

coloration matches the general habitat

open spaces

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

disruptive coloration

bold patterns on paler ground color

sunlight falling through vegitation

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Basic Coat Patterns

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

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Pelage Function

Insulates cats from ambient climate

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Weigel

All coat patterns derived from large spots

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Kingdon

Small spots fused to form rosettes and bigger spots

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

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

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Melanism

Dominant in some species (jaguar)

Recessive in others (leopard)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

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

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Tapetum lucidum

Adaptation for increasing the light sensitivity

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

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Stereoscopic Vision (3D)

Cats need stereoscopic vision for judging distance

Greatest degree of stereoscopy among mammals

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

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

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

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