Felidae
11302
222863151
2008-07-01T14:01:37Z
Chris Capoccia
286058
/* Alternative classification */
{{otheruses}}
{{Taxobox
| name = Felids<ref name=MSW3>{{MSW3 Wozencraft|pages=532-548}}</ref>
| fossil_range = Late [[Oligocene]] to Recent
| image = Tiger-zoologie.de0001 22.JPG
| image_width = 300px
| image_caption = [[Tiger]] (''Panthera tigris'')
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
| ordo = [[Carnivora]]
| subordo = [[Feliformia]]
| familia = '''Felidae'''
| familia_authority = [[Johann Fischer von Waldheim|G. Fischer de Waldheim]], 1817
| subdivision_ranks = Subfamilies
| subdivision =
[[Felinae]]<br />
[[Pantherinae]]<br />
†[[Machairodontinae]]<br />
†[[Proailurinae]]<ref name="McKenna & Bell">{{cite book |last=McKenna |first=Malcolm C. |coauthors=Susan K. Bell |title=Classification of Mammals |date=[[2000-02-15]] |publisher=Columbia University Press |isbn=978-0231110136 |pages=631}}</ref>
}}
'''Felidae''' is the [[family (biology)|biological family]] of the cats; a member of this family is called a '''felid'''. Felids are the most strictly [[Carnivore|carnivorous]] of the sixteen [[mammal]] families in the [[order (biology)|order]] [[Carnivora]]. The most familiar felid is the [[Domestic Cat]], which first became associated with humans about 10,000 years ago, but the family includes all other wild cats including the [[big cat]]s.
Extant felids belong to one of two subfamilies: [[Pantherinae]] (which includes the [[Lion]], the [[Tiger]] and the [[Leopard]]), and [[Felinae]] (which includes the [[Cougar]], the [[Cheetah]], [[lynx]]es and the [[Caracal]], along with the Domestic Cat).
The first felids emerged during the [[Oligocene]], about 25 million [[year]]s ago. In [[prehistoric]] times, there was a third subfamily [[Machairodontinae]], which included the "[[saber-toothed cats]]" such as the well known ''[[Smilodon]]''. There were also other cat-like mammals, such as ''[[Thylacosmilus]]'' or the [[Nimravidae]] which are not included in Felidae despite [[convergent evolution|superficial similarities]].
==Evolution==
There are 40 known species of felids in the world today which have all descended from a common ancestor about 10.8 million years ago.<ref name=MSW3/> This taxon originated in Asia and spread across [[continent]]s by crossing [[land bridge]]s. As reported in the journal ''[[Science (journal)|Science]]'', testing of [[mitochondrial DNA|mitochondrial]] and [[nuclear DNA]] by Warren Johnson and Stephen O'Brien of the U.S. [[National Cancer Institute]] demonstrated that ancient cats evolved into eight main lineages that diverged in the course of at least 10 migrations (in both directions) from continent to continent via the [[Bering land bridge]] and [[Isthmus of Panama]]. The ''[[Panthera]]'' species are the oldest and the ''[[Felis]]'' species are the youngest. They estimated that 60 percent of the modern species of cats developed within the last million years.<ref name =Mott>{{cite web| last = Mott| first = Maryann| title = Cats Climb New family Tree| publisher = National Geographic News| date = 2006-01-11| url = http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/01/0111_060111_cat_evolution.html| accessdate = 2006-07-15}}</ref> Most felids have a [[haploid]] number of 18 or 19. New World cats (those in Central and South America) have a haploid number of 18, possibly due to the combination of two smaller [[chromosome]]s into one larger chromosome.<ref name = robinson>{{cite book| last = Vella | first = Carolyn| authorlink = | coauthors = ''et al.'' | title = Robinson's Genetics for Cat Breeders and Veterinarians, 4th ed.| publisher = Butterworh-Heinemann | date = 2002 | location = Oxford| id = ISBN 0-7506-4069-3 }}</ref>
Prior to this discovery, [[Biology|biologists]] had been largely unable to establish a family tree of cats from the [[fossil]] record because the fossils of different cat species all look very much alike, differing primarily in size.
The felids' closest relatives are thought to be the [[civet]]s, [[hyena]]s, and [[mongoose]]s. All felid species share a genetic anomaly that prevents them from tasting sweetness.<ref name =PLOS>{{cite journal |last=Xia |first=Li |coauthors=Weihua Li, Hong Wang, Jie Cao, Kenji Maehashi, Liquan Huang, Alexander A. Bachmanov, Danielle R. Reed, Véronique Legrand-Defretin, Gary K. Beauchamp and Joseph G. Brand |year=2005 |month=July |title=Pseudogenization of a Sweet-Receptor Gene Accounts for Cats' Indifference toward Sugar |journal=[[Public Library of Science]] |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages= e3|doi=10.1371/journal.pgen.0010003 |url=http://www.plosgenetics.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pgen.0010003 |accessdate=2008-06-30 |quote= }}</ref>
==Characteristics==
Felids are purely [[carnivore|carnivorous]] animals, subsisting almost entirely on other vertebrates. Aside from the [[Lion]], they are solitary. Most are secretive animals, often nocturnal, and live in relatively inaccessible habitats. Around three-quarters of cat species live in [[forest]]ed terrain, and they are generally agile climbers. However, felids may be found in almost any environment, with some species being native to [[mountain]]ous terrain or [[desert]]s.
Wild felids are native to every continent except [[Australia (continent)|Australia]] and [[Antarctica]].
===Physical appearance===
[[Image:Smilodon01.jpg|thumb|200px|Skull of the machairodontine ''[[Smilodon]]'' (Reconstruction)]]
[[Image:Panthera leo Kruger Skull.jpg|thumb|200px|Lion skull]]
The various species of felid vary greatly in size. One of the smallest is the [[Black-footed Cat]] at between 35-40 cm in length, while the largest and most powerful is the Tiger. Compared with many other [[mammal]]s, they have relatively short faces, and good binocular vision.
The [[fur]] of felids takes many different forms, being much thicker in those species that live in cold environments, such as the [[Snow Leopard]]. The colour of felids is also highly variable, although brown to golden fur is common in most species, often marked with distinctive spots, stripes, or rosettes. Many species also have a "tear stripe," a black stripe running from the corner of each eye down the side of the nose.
The [[tongue]] of felids is covered with horny [[Filiform papilla|papillae]], which help to rasp meat from their prey. Almost all felids have fully retractable [[claw]]s (one exception is the Cheetah). Cats have five toes on their forefeet and four on their hindfeet, reflecting their reliance on griping and holding down their pray with their claws.
===Senses===
Felids have relatively large eyes, situated to provide [[binocular vision]]. Their night vision is especially good, due to the presence of a [[tapetum lucidum]], which reflects light back inside the eyeball, and gives cat's eyes their distinctive shine.
The ears of felids are also large, and, in the smaller cats, especially sensitive to high-frequency sounds. Felids have a highly developed sense of smell, although not as much so as in [[canidae|canids]]. This is further supplemented by the presence of a [[vomeronasal organ]] in the roof of the mouth, allowing the animal to "taste" the air. The use of this organ is associated with the [[Flehmen response]], in which the upper lip is curled upwards.
Felids possess highly sensitive [[vibrissa]] (whiskers) set deep within the skin, and provide the cat with sensory information about the slightest air movement around it. For this reason they are very helpful for a nocturnal hunter. Most felids are able to land on their feet after a fall, an ability which relies on vision and the [[equilibrioception|sense of balance]] acting together.
===Dentition===
With only a few exceptions, such as the [[lynx]], felids have the [[dentition|dental formula]]:
{{dentition2 | 3.1.3.1|3.1.2.1}}
The [[canine tooth|canine teeth]] are large, reaching exceptional size in the extinct [[saber-tooth cat|saber-tooth]] species. The upper third premolar and lower molar are adapted as [[carnassial]] teeth, suited to tearing and cutting flesh.
The jaws of felids can only move vertically. This prevents them from being able to [[mastication|chew]], but makes it easier for their powerful [[masseter muscle|masseter]] jaw muscles to hold struggling prey.
==Classification==
Traditionally five subfamilies are distinguished, the [[Felinae]], the [[Pantherinae]], the [[Acinonychinae]] (Cheetahs) and the extinct [[Machairodontinae]] and [[Proailurinae]].<ref name="McKenna & Bell" /> However the Acinonychinae are probably invalid, as genetic evidence suggests that cheetahs and pumas are close relatives.
===Extant species===
[[Image:Cheetah4.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Cheetah]]]]
[[Image:Lion Zoo.JPG|thumb|right|250px|[[Lion]]]]
[[Image:Standing jaguar.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Jaguar]]]]
[[Image:LuchsP1050413.jpg|thumb|right|245px|[[Eurasian Lynx]]]]
[[Image:Margaykat Leopardus wiedii.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Margay]]]]
[[Image:Wildkatze.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Wild Cat]]]]
* FAMILY '''FELIDAE'''<ref name=MSW3/>
** Subfamily [[Felinae]]
*** Genus ''[[Felis]]''
**** [[Chinese Mountain Cat]] (''[[Felis bieti]]'')
**** [[cat|Domestic Cat]] (''[[Felis catus]]'')
**** [[Jungle Cat]] (''[[Felis chaus]]'')
**** [[Pallas's Cat]] (''[[Felis manul]]'')
**** [[Sand Cat]] (''[[Felis margarita]]'')
**** [[Black-footed Cat]] (''[[Felis nigripes]]'')
**** [[Wild Cat]] (''[[Felis silvestris]]'')
*** Genus ''[[Prionailurus]]''
**** [[Leopard Cat]] (''[[Prionailurus bengalensis]]'')
**** [[Iriomote Cat]] (''[[Prionailurus iriomotensis]]'')
**** [[Flat-headed Cat]] (''[[Prionailurus planiceps]]'')
**** [[Rusty-spotted Cat]] (''[[Prionailurus rubiginosus]]'')
**** [[Fishing Cat]] (''[[Prionailurus viverrinus]]'')
*** Genus ''[[Puma (genus)|Puma]]''
**** [[Cougar]] (''[[Puma concolor]]'')
**** [[Jaguarundi]] (''[[Puma yagouaroundi]]'')
*** Genus ''[[Acinonyx]]''
**** [[Cheetah]] (''[[Acinonyx jubatus]]'')
*** Genus ''[[Lynx]]''
**** [[Canadian Lynx]] (''[[Lynx canadensis]]'')
**** [[Eurasian Lynx]] (''[[Lynx lynx]]'')
**** [[Iberian Lynx]] (''[[Lynx pardinus]]'')
**** [[Bobcat]] (''[[Lynx rufus]]'')
*** Genus ''[[Leopardus]]''
**** [[Pantanal Cat]] (''[[Leopardus braccatus]]'')
**** [[Colocolo]] (''[[Leopardus colocolo]]'')
**** [[Geoffroy's Cat]] (''[[Leopardus geoffroyi]]'')
**** [[Kodkod]] (''[[Leopardus guigna]]'')
**** [[Andean Mountain Cat]] (''[[Leopardus jacobitus]]'')
**** [[Pampas Cat]] (''[[Leopardus pajeros]]'')
**** [[Ocelot]] (''[[Leopardus pardalis]]'')
**** [[Oncilla]] (''[[Leopardus tigrinus]]'')
**** [[Margay]] (''[[Leopardus wiedii]]'')
*** Genus ''[[Leptailurus]]''
**** [[Serval]] (''[[Leptailurus serval]]'')
*** Genus ''[[Caracal]]''
**** [[Caracal]] (''[[Caracal caracal]]'')
*** Genus ''[[Profelis]]''
**** [[African Golden Cat]] (''[[Profelis aurata]]'')
*** Genus ''[[Catopuma]]''
**** [[Bay Cat]] (''[[Catopuma badia]]'')
**** [[Asian Golden Cat]] (''[[Catopuma temminckii]]'')
*** Genus ''[[Pardofelis]]''
**** [[Marbled Cat]] (''[[Pardofelis marmorata]]'')
** Subfamily [[Pantherinae]]
*** Genus ''[[Neofelis]]''
**** [[Clouded Leopard]] (''[[Neofelis nebulosa]]'')
**** [[Bornean Clouded Leopard]] (''[[Neofelis diardi]]'')
*** Genus ''[[Panthera]]''
**** [[Lion]] (''[[Panthera leo]]'')
**** [[Jaguar]] (''[[Panthera onca]]'')
**** [[Leopard]] (''[[Panthera pardus]]'')
**** [[Tiger]] (''[[Panthera tigris]]'')
*** Genus ''[[Uncia (genus)|Uncia]]''
**** [[Snow Leopard]] (''[[Uncia uncia]]'')
===Alternative classification===
Genetic research gives a more concise classification for the living members of the cat family:<ref>{{cite journal |author=Johnson WE, Eizirik E, Pecon-Slattery J, ''et al'' |title=The late Miocene radiation of modern Felidae: a genetic assessment |journal=Science (journal) |volume=311 |issue=5757 |pages=73–7 |year=2006 |month=January |pmid=16400146 |doi=10.1126/science.1122277 |url=}}</ref><ref name=MSW3/><ref>{{cite journal |author=O'Brien SJ, Johnson WE |title=Big cat genomics |journal=Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet |volume=6 |issue= |pages=407–29 |year=2005 |pmid=16124868 |doi=10.1146/annurev.genom.6.080604.162151 |url=}}</ref>
*Lineage 1: ''[[Panthera]]'', ''[[Snow Leopard|Uncia]]'', ''[[Neofelis]]''
*Lineage 2: ''[[Pardofelis]]'', ''[[Catopuma]]'',
*Lineage 3: ''[[Leptailurus]]'', ''[[Caracal]]'', ''[[Profelis]]''
*Lineage 4: ''[[Leopardus]]''
*Lineage 5: ''[[Lynx]]''
*Lineage 6: ''[[Puma (genus)|Puma]]'', ''[[Acinonyx]]''
*Lineage 7: ''[[Prionailurus]]'', ''[[Otocolobus]]''
*Lineage 8: ''[[Felis]]''
The last four lineages are more related to each other than to other lineages and form a [[clade]] within [[Felinae]].
==Fossil felids==
The oldest known true felid (''[[Proailurus]]'') lived in the late [[Oligocene]] and early [[Miocene]] eras. During the Miocene it gave way to ''[[Pseudaelurus]]''. ''Pseudaelurus'' is believed to be the latest common ancestor of the two extant subfamilies and the extinct subfamily, [[Machairodontinae]]. This group, better known as the sabertooth cats, became extinct in the Late [[Pleistocene]] era. It includes the genera ''[[Smilodon]]'', ''[[Machairodus]]'' and ''[[Homotherium]]''. The [[Metailurini]] have been placed originally as a distinct tirbe within the Machairodontinae but count as members of the Felinae today.<ref name="Fossils explained 52">{{cite journal |last=van den Hoek Ostende |first=Lars W. |coauthors=Michael Morlo and Doris Nagel |title=Fossils explained 52 Majestic killers: the sabre-toothed cats |journa=Geology Today |volume=22 |issue=4 |month=July |year=2006 |pages=150–157 |url=http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/gday/2006/00000022/00000004/art00006;jsessionid=pajs4k97owon.alexandra |dateaccessed=2008-06-30}}</ref> Sometimes they are supposed to form a distinct subfamily Metailurinae.<ref>{{cite book |last=Turner |first=Alan |date=[[1997-04-15]] |title= The Big Cats and their fossil relatives |publisher=Columbia University Press |location=New York |pages=60 |isbn=978-0231102285}}</ref>. The total number of fossil Felids that are known to science is not very high. Most extinct cat-like animals, once regarded as members of the Felidae, later turned out to be members of related, but distinct, families: the "false sabretooths" [[Nimravidae]] and [[Barbourofelidae]]. The ''true'' cats (Felidae) radiated quite recently and most of the extant species are relatively young.
==Genera of the Felidae==
The list follows McKenna and Bells ''Classification of Mammals'' for prehistoric genera (1997)<ref name="McKenna & Bell" /> and Wozencraft (2005) in Wilson and Reeders ''[[Mammal Species of the World]]'' for extant genera <ref name=MSW3/>. ''Pseudaelurus'' is included here in the Felinae according to McKenna & Bell despite its basal position in felid evolution. Inconsistent to McKenna and Bell three additional prehistoric genera, ''[[Miracinonyx]]'', ''[[Lokontailurus]]'' und ''[[Xenosmilus]]'' are listed, ''[[Sivapanthera]]'' is included into the Felinae (not Acinonychinae) and ''[[Ischrosmilus]]'' is included in the genus ''[[Smilodon]]''.
[[Image:Proailurus.jpg|thumb|200px|right|''[[Proailurus]]'']]
[[Image:Bengalkatze.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[Leopard cat]] (''[[Prionailurus]]'')]]
[[Image:Ocelot.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[Ocelot]] (''[[Leopardus]]'')]]
[[Image:Namibie Etosha Lion 01.JPG|thumb|200px|right|[[Lion]] (''[[Panthera]]'')]]
[[Image:Megantereon cultridens.jpg|thumb|200px|right|''[[Megantereon]]'']]
*†'''Proailurinae'''
**†''[[Proailurus]]''
*'''Felinae'''
**†''[[Pseudaelurus]]''
**†''[[Sivaelurus]]''
**†''[[Vishnufelis]]''
**†''[[Pikermia]]''
**†''[[Abelia (animal)|Abelia]]''
**†''[[Nimravides]]''
**†''[[Pratifelis]]''
**†''[[Adelphailurus]]''
**†''[[Metailurus]]''
**†''[[Dinofelis]]''
**†''[[Dolichofelis]]''
**†''[[Sivapardus]]''
**†''[[Jansofelis]]''
**†''[[Sivapanthera]]''
**''[[Acinonyx]]''
**†''[[Miracinonyx]]''
**''[[Puma (genus)|Puma]]''
**''[[Felis]]''
**''[[Prionailurus]]''
**''[[Lynx]]''
**''[[Leopardus]]''
**''[[Leptailurus]]''
**''[[Caracal]]''
**''[[Profelis]]''
**''[[Catopuma]]''
**''[[Pardofelis]]''
*'''Pantherinae'''
**†''[[Leontoceryx]]''
**†''[[Dromopanthera]]''
**†''[[Schaubia]]''
**†''[[Panthera schaubi|Viretailurus]]''
**''[[Panthera]]''
**''[[Neofelis]]''
**''[[Uncia]]''
*†'''Machairodontinae'''
**†''[[Machairodus]]'' (Late Miocene, Africa, Eurasia, North America)
**†''[[Homotherium]]'' (Pliocene, Pleistocene; Africa, Eurasia, North America)
**†''[[Xenosmilus]]'' (Pleistocene; North America)
**†''[[Lokontailurus]]'' (Latest Miocene; Africa)
**†''[[Miomachairodus]]'' (Middle Miocene; Africa, Asia)
**†''[[Hemimachairodus]]''
**†''[[Paramachairodus]]'' (Late Miocene; Eurasia, Africa)
**†''[[Megantereon]]'' (Pliocene, Pleistocene; North America, Africa, Eurasia)
**†''[[Smilodon]]'' (Late Pliocene to Late Pleistocene; North- and South America)
==Cited references==
{{reflist}}
==General references==
* {{cite web| last = Shoemaker| first = Alan | title = 1996 Taxonomic and Legal Status of the Felidae| publisher = Felid Taxonomic Advisory Group of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association| date = 1996| url = http://www.csew.com/felidtag/pages/Reports/taxon_legal.htm| accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}
* {{cite book | author = Turner, A. | title = The big cats and their fossil relatives | publisher = Columbia University Press | year = 1997 | id = ISBN 0-231-10229-1}}
* {{cite book | editor = Macdonald, D. | author = Kirby, G. | chapter = Cat family | title = The Encyclopedia of Mammals | year = 1984 | publisher = Facts on File | isbn = 0-87196-871-1}}
{{Carnivora}}
{{Felidae nav}}
[[Category:Felines| ]]
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