Module 10: Species Identification-Mammals Flashcards
Taxonomy
Science of ordering and naming
Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, spcies
Increasingly more distinct
Chordata
Several classes, but focus is on these 5:
Mammalia-live young and suckle
Aves-birds
Reptilian
Amphibia-air and water dwelling
Pisces-fish
Same species-same key features
Species determination
Difficult based on bones alone-some elements diagnostic, some not
Try to family level, but sometimes order or class must suffice
General classification
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata (vertebrates-spinal cord)
Class Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Amphibia, Pisces
Order Monotremata (egg-laying mammals)
Tachyglossidae (echidnas, also called spiny anteaters) and Ornithorhynchidae (platypuses)
Order Marsupialia (pouched animals)
Caenolestidae (rat opossums), Diddeelphidae (true opossums), Dasyuridae
(native cats, native mice), Notoryctidae (marsupial moles), Myrmecobiidae (numbats), Peramelidae (bandicoots), Phalangeridae (koalas), Vombatidae (wombats), and Macropodidae (kangaroos and wallabies)
Order Artiodactyla (even-toed hoofed animals)
• Ruminates: Girrafidae (giraffes), Cervidae (deer, moose, reindeer, elk), Antilocapridae (pronghorn antelope), and Bovidae (cattle, bison, yaks, waterbucks, wildebeest, gazelles, springboks, sheep, musk oxen, goats).
• Non-ruminate: Suidae (pigs), Tayassuidae (peccaries), Hippopotamidae (hippopotamuses), and Camelidae (camels, llamas).
Order Perissodactyla (odd-toed hoofed animals)
• Suborder Hippomorpha (one-toe per foot): Equidae (horses, donkeys, zebras).
• Suborder Ceratomorpha (several functional toes per foot): Tapiridae (tapirs) and Rhinocerotidae (rhinoceroses).
Order Carnivora (meat-eaters; toe-footed)
• Superfamily Canoidea (dog-like with long snouts and non-retractable claws):
Canidae (wolves, dogs, jackals, foxes), Ursidae (bears, giant pandas), Procyonidae (coatis, raccoons, lesser pandas), and Mustelidae (martens, weasels, skunks, otters).
• Superfamily Feloidea (cat-like with retractable claws): Felidae (cats, lions, cheetahs, leopards) Hyaenidae (hyenas), and Viverridae (mongooses, civets).
Order Edentata (toothless mammals)
• Dasypodidae (armadillos), Bradypodidae (sloths), and Myrmecophagidae (hairy
anteaters).
Order Insectivora (insect-eaters)
• Talpidae (moles), Soricidae (shrews), and Erinaceidae (hedgehogs).
Order Lagomorpha (pikas, hares, and rabbits)
• Ochotonidae (pikas) and Leporidae (hares and rabbits of all sorts).
Order Rodentia (gnawing mammals)
• Aplodontidae (mountain beavers), Sciuridae (chipmunks, squirrels, marmots),
Cricetidae (field mice, lemmings, muskrats, hamsters, gerbils), Muridae (Old World mice, rats), Heteromyidae (New World mice), Geomyidae (gophers), and Dipodidae (jerboas).
Order Primates (primates)
• Suborder Strepsirrhini (wet-nosed): Tupalidae (tree shrew), Lemuridae (lemurs),
Daubentonlidae (aye-ayes), Lorisidae (lorises, pottos).
• Suborder Haplorhini (dry-nosed) Tarsiidae (tarsiers), Callitrichidae (marmosets), Cebidae
(New World monkeys), Cercopithecidae (baboons, Old World monkeys), Hylobatidae (gibbons), Pongidae (gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans), and Hominidae (human beings).
Order Chiroptera (bats)
• Suborder Megachiroptera: Pteropodidae (flying foxes, Old Worm fruit bats).
• Suborder Microchiroptera: Rhinopomatidae (mouse-tailed bats), Emballonuridae (sheath
tailed bats), Craseonycteridae (hog-nosed or butterfly bats), Noctilionidae (bulldog or fisherman bats), Nycteridae (slit-faced bats), Megadermatidae (false vampire bats), and Rhinolophidae (horseshoe bats).
OrderHyracoidae(hyraxes,dassies)
• Procaviidae
Order Dermoptera (colugos or flying lemurs)
Order Pholidata
• Manidae (pangolins)
Order Proboscidea (elephants)
• Elephantidae
Order Tubulidentata (aardvarks)
• Orycteropodidae
Order Pinnipedia (seals and walruses)
• Otariidae (eared seals, sea lions), Odobenidae (walruses), and Phocidae (earless seals).
Order Cetacea (whales and purpoises)
• Suborder- Toothed whales (regular conical teeth): Physeteridae (sperm whales),
Monodontidae (narwhals, belugas), Phocoenidae (porpoises), and Delphinidae
(dolphins, killer whales).
• Suborder- Baleens (whalebone surfaces instead of teeth): Eschrichtiidae (gray
whales), Balaenidae (right whales), or Balaenoptridae (fin-backed whales, hump- backed whales).
Order Sirenia (dugongs and manatees)
• Trichechidae (manatees) and Dugongidae (dugongs and other sea cows).
Form follows function
Variation in bones is based on functions which begin at class level with locomotion variation
Species determination cont.
Some features quickly rule in/out classes
Mammals-sculpted elements
Amphibians/reptiles-rounded/smooth elements
Birds-angular at some ends
Fish-pointy
Birds-lighter bones, thinner cortex (and amphibians)
Mammals-thick cortex
Reptiles-between
Fish bones-shiny, semi-translucent, mammals not; fish bones flat
Evaluation process
Consistent, some species very close in appearance
Step 1: what bones, cranial/post?, dental/long bone? Can rule out some classes/orders
Step 2: development and size
Step 3: eliminate orders/families based on form
Step 4: species elimination based on subtle variations-comparative analysis, may not be poss if no distinguishing features
Variation due to age/sex influence appearance & individual variation
Variation w/in species
ID process
Genus and species: goal
Family next most desirable
Final reports indicate if you are ID’ing element/skeleton to class, order, family, genus, species
General features
Once in genus, evaluate key features that distinguish species-important in court cases!
Skull
Most diagnostic of species/breed
Overall shape suggests group
-short/squat, boxy/elongated, low profile/tall profile, etc.
size/shape of rostrum and nasal ones, orientation/projections of eyes, size/shape of external auditory meatus and bullae-importance of sense of smell, sight, hearing
Size/shape of mandible, dentition-diet
Horns/antlers-fighting/protection, location and growth direction characteristic
Subtle features-size/shape of infraorbital foramen, termination of palatine, relationship of pterygoid, size, shape, location of incisive foramen, frontal breadth vs postorbital constriction, presense of fenestra, relationship of bones, shape of temporal ridges, size of occipital ridge/shield
Provides most info on class, family, genus, species
Post-cranial
Scapula-shape distinguishing, shape of glenoid fossa-amnt of rotation allowed, distinctiveness of coracoid from glenoid, acromion process shape, scap spine loc., spine to glenoid fossa, neck appearance
Humerus-straightness/curve of shaft, deltoid tuberosity, head shape, size relating to rad/ulna, greater tubercle to head, shape of trochlea/epicondyles, presence of entepicondylar or supratrochlear foramen, size and shape
Rad/ulna-fused/unfused, absent/vestigial, size relating to humerus, straight/curvy, shape of articular surfaces
Vertebra-shape of centra, number
Ribs-flat/round, shape of head and neck, number
Os coxa-shape of ilium, ischium, pubis, sizes in relation, fused at pubis or to sacrum, acetabulum shape
Femur-length relating to tib/fib, straight/curvy, location and size of 3rd trochanter, shape of head and neck, size of greater trochanter and relationship to head and neck, med/lat condyle variations, patellar surface
Tib/fib-fused/unfused, absent/vestigial, size relating to femur, shape of articular surfaces
Metacarpals, metatarsals, phalanges-# and length, claws or hooves
-plantigrade (sole on ground)- full complement of toes, MC/MT shorter rekating to rad/ulna/tib/fib
-digitigrade (toe-walkers)-full complement of toes or slight reduction, MC/MT increased length
-unguligrade (hoof-walkers)-reduced toes, MC/MT peak length
Insectavoria
Skull-low/flat, orbits indistinct
Mandible-well-developed angular process, teeth sharp/pointy, all tooth classes (I:C:P:M) look similar
Scapula-blade-like
Humerus-lacks neck, greater tubercle above level of head, red/ulna separate, tib/fib fuse at mid-shaft
Rodentia
Skull-low, orbits somewhat distinct, large infraorbital foramen
Mandible-coronoid reduced/absent, gonial well-developed, dentition reduced, canines absent, incisors large and chisel-like
Scapula-long acromion, late metaacromial process, little/no coracoid
Os coxa-long and slender, rod-like ilium, long pubis
Forelimb/hindlimb variable, humerus-supratrochlear perforation, no entepicondylar foramen, femur-small head, distinct neck
Primates
Similar to humans with mod of forelimb and less mod of hindlimb
Look human with more projection of rostral region. All 4 tooth classes, similar to humans, > canines
2 dental formulas:
-2/2:1/1:3/3:3/3 (new world monkeys)
-2/2:1/1:2/2:3/3 (old world monkeys, apes, humans)
Carnivora
Larger brain, rostral region reduced, zygomatic arches wide, temporal ridges, sagittal crest, occipital crest well-developed (large jaw muscles), large auditory bulla, dentition reduced, enlarged canines
Scapula-equal halves by spine, acromion large, some species evidence metacromial process, coracoid small
Humerus & rad/ulna-similar in length, humeral head hemispherical, tuberosities above head, cats entepicondular foramen, dogs supratrochlear perforation, bears neither
Os coxa-long, narrow, prominent ischial tuberosities
Femur-slender, straight in digitgrades, short, stout in plantigrades, length relative to tib/fib similar, greater trochanter rarely rises above head (does in some cats)
Dog/wolf/coyote/fox
Similar in form/function, some distinctions
Many distinctions debated
Dog/wolf/coyote
Length of canines in relation to mandibular mental foramina informative
-maxilla and mandible in occlusion, draw line across front of mandible through mental foramen
-canines below-coyote, dog rarely reaches line, wolf close to line
Length from anterior of 1st premolar to posterior of last molar of maxilla to palate width b/w 1st premolars informative: length >=3.1x, coyote, <=2.7x width of palate, dog
Reciprocal index-divide palate width by tooth row x 100-coyotes <33, dogs >36, wolf ~34.6 (useful for distinguishing some domestic dog breeds)
Coyote-posterior edge of palate terminate b/w anterior edge and midpoint of last molar, in wolf palate termination aligns with posterior edge last molar, extends beyond molar in dogs
Dog v wolf
Interorbital region of dogs elongated relative to wolves-ration of distance b/w end of tooth row and anterior of auditory bulla to length of tooth row x100 >dogs (64-80) than wolves (59-62)
Dog/wolf/hybrid
Orbital angle-angle b/w. Frontal bone and frontal process>zygomatic arch
-40-45 degrees=gray wolf
-53-60 degrees=dog
-between=wolf hybrid
Coyote/wolf/fox
Coyote and fox similar in size, fox have pit at base of postorbital process, coyote, dog, wolf do not
Fox
Red vs gray similar, but distinguishable
Temporal ridges into V-shape at sagittal suture in red fox, separate and almost U-shaped in gray fox
Gray fox has distinct “step” in mandibular ramus anterior to gonial angle or angular process on mandible, red fox lacks “step.”
Dog/raccoon
P4-molar in appearance (squared) raccoons, elongated in dogs-carnassial
Raccoon 2 lower molars, dog 3
Palatine further caudally raccoon almost to pterygoid, terminates closer to molars dog
Scap notch more pronounced raccoon, supraspinous fossa larger/D-shaped, metacromial process more developed
Raccoon noticeable lateral epicondylar flare & entepicondylar foramen
Hindlimb more developed on dog than raccoon
Cat/bobcat/panther/mtn lion
Subtle differences
Florida panther subspecies maybe distinguishable from others (more arched nasal margin)
Bobcat skull rounder from superior view, panther & lion elongated in parietal region
Temporal lines stay separate-U shape in bobcat, intersect-V shape and sagittal crest in panther/mtn lion
Posterior palatine margin curved-mtn lion, dips anteriorly at midline. Curved w no dip-panther, bobcat-squared
Domestic cat
Significantly smaller than bobcat, panther, mtn lion
Less dev temporal ridges, more divergent
Posterior palatine arched like panther, dips caudally at midline
Black/grizzly bear
Last upper molar: grizzly-1.5x+ length of 1st upper molar, black-no more than 1.5x
Black bear-more concave face, grizzly-more convex
Grizzly-accessory cusps on P4
Grizzly femur has neck as wide as/wider than head, slight intertrochanteric ridge, significantly broader lateral condyle than medial; black bear femur has constricted neck, well dev intertrochanteric ridge, and similarly sized medial/lateral condyles
Perissodactyla
Horse
Pre-molars & molars hypsodont, high-crowned w deeply folded enamel, folds filled w cement
Scapula long/narrow, unevenly divided by spine with supraspinous area 1/3 and infraspinous 2/3. Spine ends at middle of neck approx. acromion process rudimentary, coracoid prominent
Ilia long and broad, taper to neck superior to acetabulum, opening on acetabulum wide; ischium and pubis short, obturator foramen circular
Humerus short in comp to rad/ulna, heavily build, well-dev deltoid tuberosity. Ulna is sig reduced, often fused to rad
Femur short w low, broad head. Very large trochanter. 3rd trochanter present. Fibula reduced to splint, may be fused to tibia
Artiodactyla
Orbits completely enclosed, directed laterally
Molar form can be informative: pig-bunodont dentition, round/conical cusps; deer-selenodont, crescent pattern on worn tooth; bovine-hypsodont
Ribs flat
Scapular spine ends before glenoid fossa, typically before neck
Pigs lack acromion process, slight in other species
Pig-distinct caudal overhang of spine
Coracoid slight swelling in pigs, slight hook others
Ilia shorter, neck thicker above acetabulum, acet. Opening narrower, 2 overhanging lips, except pig. Notable supraacetabular fossa on lat of ilium except pig
Pubis long, ischium long and wide, oval obturator foramen
Humerus short, lightly built w less dev deltoid tuberosity
Full ulna, can fuse to rad
Pig v tightly aligned rad/ulna w no gap, other species have notch/gap b/w upper aspects of rad/ulna
Femur and tibia more similar in length than forelimb
Femoral head extends onto neck (not pigs)
Greater trochanter above head (not pigs)
Bovine, deer and goat, head & neck right angle to greater trochanter, sheep >
Pig large/distinct fibula, others absent, vestigial, or fused
Domestic vs. wild pig
Most are Sus scrofa, subtle diffs.
Domestic pigs, smaller canines
Wild pigs, longer more slender limbs, domestic more curvy/twisty
Other pig forms
Sus cristatus-Asiatic/Indian Wild boar
Best distinguished by lower canins
S. Scrofa, tooth triangular with bead at buccodistal angle, sides flat/concave. S. Cristatus more rounded with sides convex, no bead
Pecari distinguished by upper canines-pigs curve out then up, pecari only down
Pig vs sheep
Cervical vertebra strongly opisthocoelous (concave bacl, convex/flat anterior) in sheep, slightly so in pig
Humerus, rad, ulna shorter and more S-shaped in pig, particularly domestic pig
Deer
Longest/lightest built
Antlers that shed each year arising from pedicles on frontal bone. Antler itself is burr/coronet, main stem of antler is beam off which tines/points arise
-1st tine is brow, 2nd bez-tine, 3rd trez-tine, after that # points present
1st year antler consists of single prong, after that new tine each year, age est. by # of tines
Features of antlers distinct and used for ID
Large lachrymal fossa b/w frontal, nasal, lachrymal and maxillary bones. Size/shape of this fossa can help distinguish b/w deer
Sheep v goat
VERY difficult, maybe not possible
Cranial sutures help: coronal suture bows forward at bregma in sheep, nearly straight across in goat, lamboidal suture straight in sheep, bows rostrally in goat
Sheep have lachrymal fossa, goats do not
Sheep-premaxilla wedged b/w nasal and maxilla, goats premaxilla only touches nasal bone
Sheep horn-cores more circular, goats triangular, goats V/U shaped pit on frontal b/w horn-cores
Cow vs. Bison
Bovine-horns perm and hollow, supported by horn-cores on frontal bone. Parietals are often reduced in size/nearly absent
Cow horns arch forward, bison horns go backward
Cow-nasal and premaxilla touch
Scapula-glenoid fossa more oval in cow, kidney in bison; coracoid process blunt and distinct from lip of glenoid, arises closer to lip of glenoid and can be hooked in appearance
