3.2 Introduction to Carnivora
Transcript of 3.2 Introduction to Carnivora
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Zoo 148 G - 2L Elago, Calica, Manloctao, Banares
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9 Fissipeds (terrestrial):
Canidae (dogs and related spe
Felidae (cats)
Ursidae (bears)
Procyonidae (raccoons and rela
Mustelidae (weasels,badgers,o
species)
Mephitidae (skunks and stink b
Herpestidae (mongooses)
Viverridae (civets, genets, and
Hyaenidae (hyenas)
3 Pinnipeds (aquatic):
Otariidae (sea lions and fur sea
Phocidae (true, or earless, seal
Odobenidae (the walrus)
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Distinguishing Characteristics
Zoogeography
Reproduction and Development
Behavior
Significance
Conservation Status
Threats
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Mainly carnivorous (“fleshdevourers”)
Simpler digestive system
Small stomach
Caecum absent/short
Colon not sacculated (narrow)
Highly developed sense of vision,hearing, and smell
Mostly runners/sprinters - hunters
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Mainly carnivorous (“flesh devourers”)
Strong and sharp claws
At least 4 per unopposable foot
For attacking prey
Some with Dew claw - first digit on the forepaws;
vestigial
Large, pointed canine and cheek teeth (molars,premolars) – number vary depending on species
Carnassial teeth
Diphyodont
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Terrestrial/ Arboreal
Gait mostly Plantigrade
Skull:
Large brains, heavy skull
Developed Zygomatic arch behind maxilla (like all mammals)
Ossified auditory valve
Masseters attached to dentary – jaws only move up-and-down (shearingmotion > crushing power)
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Other Taxonomic characteristics for classifyingamong carnivore families:
fissure of the brain
relative weights of the adrenal and thyroid gl
type of uterus and placenta
position of the nipples
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Canidae (dogs) - 35 species; 13 genera, found worldwide; in
to Australia
Felidae (cats) - 37;18 genera from 3 subfamilies; found world
except for Australia
Ursidae (bears) - 9 species; 6 genera belonging to 2 subfamin North America, South America, Europe, and Asia
Procyonidae (raccoons) - 18 species in 6 genera from 2 subf
found in the New World
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Mustelidae (weasels,badgers, otters) - 54 species; 21 gen
from 5 subfamilies; found worldwide except for A
Mephitidae (skunks and stink badgers) - 11 species in 4
found in the New World and Southeast Asia
Herpestidae (mongooses) - 37 species in 18 genera belo
to 2 subfamilies, found in the Old World
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Viverridae (civets, genets) - 35 species in 20 genera belongi
subfamilies, found in the Old World
Hyaenidae (hyenas) - 4 species in 4 genera belonging to 3 su
in Africa and southern Asia
Suborder Pinnipedia - found primarily in marine waters
Otariidae (sea lions and fur seals) - 14 species in 7 ge
Phocidae (true, or earless, seals) - 19 species in 10 ge
Odobenidae (the walrus) - 1 Arctic species
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Vigorous and frequent copulation
Special methods for births to occur when resources are abunda
Induced Ovulation – egg cells released during/after copulation
Delayed Implantation – delayed fertilization of the egg in the wallthe uterus
Penis bone, or baculum = well developed
Live birth
One to few litter/s annually (1-13)
Some larger carnivorans have gaps between births (e.g. bears – every 2 – 3 yrs)
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Average gestation period = between 50 and 115days Exception: ursids and mustelids - delayed implantation that
extends the gestation period six to 9 months beyond thenormal period
Born with underdeveloped eyes and ears
Mother primarily takes care of young
Mostly solitary
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High degree of learning ability Well-developed nervous system
sense organs
Dogs, Cheetahs, Caracal, andFerret, and even Otters trained forhunting or as pets
Mostly Territorial Anal glands
Scent glands
Feces
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Social Pattern Solitary
By pairs
Packs/ Bands
Sedentary
Colonial
Mating Syst Monogamy
Polygyny
Harems
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Human uses
Pets
Trained Hunters
Source of luxurious furs
Attractions at zoos and circuses
Ecological value highest trophic level within ecosystems
improve the stability of prey populations (survivinganimals are better fed and less subject to disease)
Digging/Burrowing - mixing of soils and the reduction of water runoff during rains
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Polar Bears Ursus maritimus
Population: 20,000 – 25,000
Habitat: Polar Regions
Importance: health of the marineenvironment; cultures andeconomies of Arctic peoples;indicator species
Threats: Human encounters, Oilspills, Noise offshore,Unsustainable hunting
Efforts: Addressing climatechange, monitoring populations,managing conflicts, reducingindustrialization effects
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Red Wolf Canis rufus
Distribution: limited to the south-eastern United States
Activity: Extinct in the Wild by 1980, the
Red Wolf was reintroduced by theUnited States
Threats: Hybridization with Coyotes orRed Wolf x Coyote hybrids, Humanencounters
Efforts: Recovery programs
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