Insectivores Flashcards
Subclass
Theria
Infraclass
Eutheria
Order (Shrews, moles, solenodons)
Soricomorpha
Family (Shrews)
Soricidae
Family (Moles)
Talpidae
Family (Solenodons)
Solenodontidae
Order (Hedgehogs)
Erinaceomorpha
Order (Sloths, anteaters)
Pilosa
Order (Armadillos)
Cingulata
Order (Pangolins)
Pholidota
Theria
Viviparous mammals, live birth
Eutheria
Placental mammals, true placenta
Soricomorpha
Diverse order with no obvious synapomorphy other than eating insects.
Soricidae
No zygomatic arch, teeth pigmented, upper first incisor hooked and enlarged.
Talpidae
Head and forelimbs highly modified for fossorial life.
Solenodontidae
Salivary gland produces toxic saliva, use “crude” form of echolocation. Cuba and Haiti
Erinaceomorpha
Spines usually present, molars adapt to omnivory.
Pilosa
Latin word for “hairy”, distinguishing them from armadillos and pangolins.
Cingulata
Hard carapace, only small amounts of hair, teeth reduced to peg like molars.
Pholidota
Covered in scales, conical skull lacks teeth.
