Carnivora – short characteristics of the modern taxaeko.uj.edu.pl/gbk/download/Carnivora_handout3.pdf · 2014-10-20 · Carnivora – short characteristics of the modern taxa •

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Carnivora – short characteristics of the modern taxa

• Biology and ecology

• Threats and conservation

helps to find solutions to the most pressing environment and

development challenges,

- supports scientific research,

- manages field projects all over the world,

- brings governments, non-government organizations, United

Nations agencies, companies and local communities

together to develop and implement policy, laws and best

practice.

- founded in 1948 as the world’s first global environmental

organization.

http://www.iucn.org/

• The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ a global approach for evaluating the conservation status of plant and animal species.

• The goals of the IUCN Red List are to:


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Structure of the categories. http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/categories-and-criteria/2001-

categories-criteria

EXTINCT (EX)

A taxon is extinct when there is no reasonable doubt that the

last individual has died.

EXTINCT IN THE WILD (EW)

A taxon is extinct in the wild when it is known only to survive in

cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalized population (or

populations) well outside the past range.

CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (CR)

A taxon is critically endangered - it is considered to be facing

an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

ENDANGERED (EN)

A taxon is endangered when it is considered to be facing a

very high risk of extinction in the wild.

VULNERABLE (VU)

A taxon is vulnerable when it is considered to be facing a

high risk of extinction in the wild.

NEAR THREATENED (NT)

A taxon is near threatened when it has been evaluated

against the criteria but does not qualify for critically

endangered, endangered or vulnerable now, but is close to

qualifying for or is likely to qualify for a threatened category in

the near future.

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LEAST CONCERN (LC)

A taxon is least concern when it has been evaluated against

the criteria and does not qualify for critically endangered,

endangered, vulnerable or near threatened. Widespread and

abundant taxa are included in this category.

DATA DEFICIENT (DD)

A taxon is data deficient when there is inadequate information

to make a direct, or indirect assessment of its risk of extinction

based on its distribution and/or population status.

Data Deficient is not a category of threat (more information is

required )

Extinct, EX

Extinct in the Wild, EW

Critically Endangered, CR

Endangered, EN

Vulnerable, VU

Near Threatened, NT

Least Concern, LC

Data Deficient, DD

Not Evaluated, NE


Canis lupus iucn canis lupus http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/3746/0

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/3746/0

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CITES is an international agreement between governments.

Its aim

CITES is an international agreement to which States or countries (Parties)

For many years CITES has been among the conservation agreements with the

largest membership. As of May 2013, 179 States had ratified the Convention.

http://www.cites.org/

The species covered by CITES are listed in three Appendices, according to the

degree of protection they need.

Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction. Trade in specimens of these

species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances.

Appendix II includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which

trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival.

Appendix III contains species that are protected in at least one country, which has

asked other CITES Parties for assistance in controlling the trade.

http://www.cites.org/

http://www.cites.org/gallery/species/index.html

CITES Internship Programme

• “…an opportunity for graduate and postgraduate

students from diverse academic backgrounds to support the work of the CITES Secretariat and to enhance their educational experience through practical work assignments.

• It allows selected candidates to gain insight into the work of CITES and provides practical experience and training in various relevant professional fields…””

http://www.cites.org/eng/disc/sec/intern.php

http://www.cites.org/eng/disc/parties/alphabet.php

http://www.cites.org/gallery/species/index.html

http://www.cites.org/eng/disc/sec/intern.php

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Berne Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitat

• to conserve wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats

• to promote cooperation between states

• to give particular attention to endangered and vulnerable species including endangered and vulnerable migratory species

• Signed in 1979 (in Bern)

http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/Nature/Bern/default_en.asp

• As a signatory to the European Community meets its

obligations under the Convention by means of the Council

Directive 79/409/EEC on the Conservation of Wild Birds (the

Birds Directive) and the Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the

Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora

(the Habitats Directive).

Appendices:

• Appendix I –

• The approximately 700 plant species listed may not be taken

from the wild or harmed. The habitats of these species are

subject to strict protection, with the choice of habitat

protection measures left to signatory states.

http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/FR/Treaties/Html/104-1.htm


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• Appendix II –

Strict species conservation provisions apply to the 710

animal species. These may be neither disturbed nor

captured, killed or traded.


• Appendix III –

• species that are in need of protection but may be hunted or

otherwise exploited in exceptional instances.


• Appendix IV – Prohibited means and methods of killing,

capture and other exploitation


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Natura 2000

is an

designed to

The so-called Birds Directive (1979) and Habitats Directive (1992) are two main EU directives related to nature protection. They constitute the legal basis for NATURA 2000.

http://natura2000.gdos.gov.pl/

The areas established on the basis of Bird Directive are called Special Protection

Areas (SPA).

The areas established on the basis of Habitat Directive are called Special Areas of

Conservation (SAC). Applied for the maintenance or restoration of the natural

habitats and/or the populations of the species for which the site is designated (434 plant

species and 200 animal species, excluding birds).

• habitat types and species of Community interest listed in

Annexes I and II of the Habitats Directive

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/habitatsdirective/

• bird species and regularly occurring migratory bird species listed

in Annex I of the Birds Directive.

• flora and fauna of Community interest in need of strict

protection (Annex IV of the Habitats Directive)

• and to flora and fauna of Community interest whose taking in

the wild and exploitation may be subject to management

measures (Annex V of the Habitats Directive).

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Official link • http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/db_gis/

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/conservation/species/carnivores/index_en.htm

More…?

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/db_gis/



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Suborder Feliformia ("cat-like"), 56 genera, 120 species

• Family Nandiniidae: African palm civet; 1 species in 1 genus

• Family Prionodontidae: linsangs; 2 species in 1 genus

• Family Felidae: cats; 37 species in 14 genera

• Family Viverridae: civets and allies; 34 species in 14 genera

• Family Hyaenidae: hyenas and aardwolf; 4 species in 4 genera

• Family Eupleridae : Madagascar carnivores; 8 species in 7 genera

• Family Herpestidae: mongooses; 34 species in 15 genera

ORDER CARNIVORA 128 genera, 281 species –today

taxonomy

Family Nandiniidae (African palm civet)

• 1 genus, 1 species Nandinia binotata

• Differs from all other carnivorans in the persistence of the cartilaginous condition of the posterior chamber of auditory bulla

• Not listed on CITES, classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List

• Small mammals with small

ears, heavily-built body,

short legs. Tail longer than

the head and body.

• Tropical African – rain i

deciduous forests

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• Resembles a dark brown genet

• Primarily frugivorous, take a variety of animal

prey as well (insects, bird eggs and nestlings,

small rodents)

• May prey on crops and poultry

• Drink palm wine from vessels people have hung

in trees










taxonomy

Family Prionodontidae (linsangs)

• Small mammals with slender, genet-like pointed muzzle, long tail

• Spotted coat pattern and a pair of large stripes on the nape

• Hyper carnivorous dentition

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• Represented by

• The sister group of felids split ca. 42 million years ago (molecular investigations)

• South-east Asia

• Moist and evergreen forest, including montane forests up to 2700 m asl

Food and feeding

• Primarily carnivorous

• Feed on rodents, frogs, lizards, snakes, small birds, insects, and carcasses

• Forage on the ground and in the trees

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• Nocturnal and solitary way of life

• No direct interaction with humans

• Occasionally hunted for fur

• Listed on CITES (Appendix I – spotted linsang, II – banded linsang)

• No species threatened, none extinct since 1600










taxonomy

Family: Felidae (felids, cats)

• Holarctic, Neotropical,

Afrotropical, and Oriental

regions

• From deserts through to

mountain areas, from cold

temperature zone to tropics

• 14 genera, 37 species

1 species Critically Endangered, 6 species Endangered,

9 species Vulnerable, 5 subspecies Extinct since 1600

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• They occur naturally

• Domestic cat has been introduced to many

remote oceanic islands and Australia

Central America (6)

Margay (2) Leopardus wiedi

Jaguarundi (2) Herpailurus yaguarondi

Ocelot (2) Leopardus pardalis

Bobcat (2) Lynx rufus

Puma (3) Puma concolor

Jaguar (2) Panthera onca

South America (10)

Kodkod Oncifelis guigna

(Argentina and Chile)

Oncilla Leopardus tigrinus

Margay (2) Leopardus wiedi

Andean Mountain Cat Oreailurus jacobitus

Geoffroy's Cat Oncifelis geoffroyi

Pampas Cat Oncifelis colocolo

Jaguarundi (2) Herpailurus yaguarondi

Ocelot (2) Leopardus pardalis


Jaguar (2) Panthera onca

http://www.bigcats.com/home

North America (3)

Canada Lynx Lynx canadensis

Bobcat (2) Lynx rufus


Europe (3)

European Wildcat Felis silvestris silvestris

Iberian Lynx Lynx pardinus

Eurasian Lynx (2) Lynx lynx

Central Asia (5)

Asiatic Wildcat (2) Felis silvestris ornata

Manul Otocolobus manul

Chinese Mountain Cat Felis bieti

Eurasian Lynx (2) Lynx lynx

Snow Leopard Uncia uncia

http://www.bigcats.com/home

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Southeast Asia (12)

Rusty-spotted Cat Prionailurus

rubiginosus

(India and Sri Lanka)

Flat-headed Cat Prionailurus planiceps

(Islands and Lower Peninsula)

Bornean Bay Cat Catopuma badia

(Island of Borneo)

Iriomote Cat Prionailurus iriomotensis

(Island of Iriomote near Taiwan)

Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis

Marbled Cat Pardofelis marmorata

Jungle Cat (2) Felis chaus

Fishing Cat Prionailurus viverrinus

Asiatic Golden Cat Catopuma temmincki

Clouded Leopard Neofelis nebulosa

Leopard (3) Panthera pardus

Tiger (2) Panthera tigris

Sub-Saharan Africa (8)

Black-footed Cat Felis nigripes

African Wildcat (2) Felis silvestris lybica

African Golden Cat Profelis aurata

(Equatorial Africa)

Caracal (2) Caracal caracal

Serval Leptailurus serval

Cheetah (2) Acinonyx jubatus


Lion (2) Panthera leo

Southwest Asia (8)

Sand Cat Felis margarita

Asiatic Wildcat (2) Felis silvestris ornata

African Wildcat (2) Felis silvestris lybica

Jungle Cat (2) Felis chaus

Caracal (2) Caracal caracal

(Also in to India)

Cheetah (2) Acinonyx jubatus


Lion (2) Panthera leo

(Only in Northwest India)

Small to quite large

animals with rounded

head and rather flat

face, facial whiskers,

and large eyes and

ears, streamlined body

with muscular legs

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Traditionally cats have been classified in two main groups:

• Long, fleshy elasticated vocal folds in larynx of big cats resonate to produce a roar, whereas smaller cats, including the cheetah, have simpler vocal folds that only allow purring

Morphology

• Morphologically highly uniform

family

• Relatively young age of the group

– Felidae probably originated no

more than seven million years

ago – even at that time were

highly adapted and efficient

predators (reduced dentition,

specialized skeleton)

http://www.hillspet.com/hillspet/articles

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• Cats are variable in size – range

from about 2 – 3 kg (black-footed

cat, kodkod, rusty-spotted cat) to

about 300 kg in a large male tiger

• Sexual dimorphism is limited, with

males being about 5 – 10% larger

than females

• Cat species with large ranges tend

to closely follow Bergman’s rule

For example puma show a distinct

size gradient from pole to equator

to pole –

Coat pattern • Varies considerably:

- primitive dark spots on a lighter background

in domestic cat lineage linked with stripes

- South American cat lineage spots tend to form

swirling patterns (e.g.’ ocelot).

- Some species (e.g., puma, caracal, and

jaguarundi) have lost most of their spots and

the adult coat is for the most part a uniform

colour, but in juvenile individuals the original

spotted pattern can be seen

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In the true large cats – spots

have formed a secondary pattern

known as rosettes (a number of

spots are laid out in a circle that is

separated from other such

circles) – jaguar – small spot

inside this circle, leopard – no

spot, juvenile lions have rosettes

Tiger is unique in having stripes

across rather than along the body,

also has elongated rosettes

• Function of the coat pattern –

• Open environments –

• Close habitats –

• A number of genetic coat colour

variants are known: melanism

recorded in many species that live

in tropical, humid, and vegetated

habitats (so called ‘black panthers’

– melanistic leopards or jaguars)

• Leucism (opposite of melanism)

has been observed in tigers

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Dentition

• Typical: 3131/3131

• (lynxes have only two premolars

in upper jaw)

• Incisors are small, blunt,

spatulate in appearance and

mainly used

Canine is long, rounded to oval

in cross-section and pointed with

a characteristic groove in the

enamel .

It has been suggested that smaller

cats kill their prey by searching

for and inserting their sensitive

canine tips between the neck

vertebrae of the prey animal

Larger cats often kill their prey by suffocating, either with throat bite or

a muzzle hold. In either case, the canine is useful for getting a firm grip

on the relevant area of the prey.

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• A longer diastema follows

between the canine and the

first postcanine tooth

(generally second premolar)

• Premolars are all similar in structure,

though the second upper premolar is

often peg-like structure. They have large,

conical cusp – varied with heights with

species in relation to prey size

• Their function

• Fourth upper premolar with the

first lower molar – carnassial teeth

used for meat-slicing. The upper

molar also has a function in this

carnassial complex.

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• Reduced dentition allowed cats to

• which has the effect of improving

the efficiency of the musculature

that closes the jaw –

• cats have more powerful bite

relative to muscle mass than other

carnivores except mustelids

• Smaller cats have a relatively

rounded skull, a more vertical

face, and a short muzzle

• Large cats – have more

elongated skull with more

horizontal face and a long muzzle

• The forelimb has a dual function:

it is a part of the locomotory

apparatus, but has an important

function in

• so that the bottoms of the paws

can be brought together – this

requires a mobility at the elbow

and wrist

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• Cats are not good runners but

they have an extreme

• the shoulder blade to swing

freely forming an extension

of the forelimb and thereby

increasing stride length. This

adaptation is best in

• while in leopards the same

mechanism enhances

• In all cats, the hindlimbs are main propulsors.

Some cats are more able to roll their ankles to

the outside than others – some cats are more

highly arboreal than others (margay and

clouded leopard can grasp tree trunks with

their hind claws while descending head first)

• In cheetah the ankle joint is tightly fixed

(running adaptation)

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• Cats are digitigrade –

• This lengthens the stride by

increasing the effective limb

length

• Cats have five toes on each

forefoot but only four on the

hindfoot

• The first digit of the forefoot

(thumb in humans) has one

joint less – known as

•

• In cheetah is relatively large

and is used

• The claws are retractile – during

locomotion claws are kept

retracted by ligaments and

protected by a sheath of skin

• When the claws are to be used the

cat spreads its paws and uses

special musculature to protract the

claws

• Claw retraction in cheetah is less

developed but claws can be

retracted to certain degree

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• Cats have soft footpads to allow for stealthy

movement

– cheetahs are exceptions – their pads are hard

and ridged which provides better traction

when running across hard terrain

• Spine is flexible

• The articulations between the

vertebrae are smooth and

rounded and this is one of the

factors that allow cats the

ability to always land on their

feet

• This is accomplished by the

cat twisting around its long

axis

• In cheetahs the spine is also flexible in the dorso-ventral

direction – this allows the animal to flex its body up and down

during running – the gain in stride length due to this flexibility is

more than 10%

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Tail • Variable in length

• Leopards and cheetahs have very long

tails that serve function in

counterbalancing the weight of the

body when climbing and running

• Lynxes and caracal have short tails

(hence ‘bobcat’) the functional basis

for this reduction is not known

senses • Smell is less important than in

other carnivores, still far more acute than it is in humans. Used for intraspecific communication.

• Whiskers (vibrissae) – occur in three areas: on the sides of the muzzle, on the cheek, and above the eyes (in other carnivores also on the chin).

• Specialized sensory hairs with tactile function – to feel surroundings. This function is particularly important for cats that hunt at night.

• The most prominent feature are

• which in strong light can be seen to be

• vertical and slit-like (can hunt in poor

light and therefore more sensitive to

bright light, vertical pupils more closed

and without damaging eyes) .

• Some cats – especially large cats have

round pupils

Eyes

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Eyes • Cats being adapted to low levels of light

primarily have the light sensitive area in eye

composed of rods (do not detect colour)

• Cats and many other mammals have a

structure behind the retina called tapetum

lucidum – strongly reflective and as light is

reflected back by the tapetum lucidum it

passes the retina a second time and increasing

Hearing • Important sense in cats

• They can hear a much wider range of

sounds (200 Hz and 65 kHz) than humans.

• The ability to hear very

• is especially useful to small cats - allows to

detect the ultrasonic communication of

small rodents

• The external ear – pinna is large – allows

Communication

• Vocalization – rather weak - because of the solitary life-style of nearly all species and secretive habits of most

• Auditory signals to communicate at short, medium , and long distance. At short range, when sender and addressee(s) often can see each other, the acoustic signals are usually accompanied by specific visual signals – postures and expressions – position of ears and carriage, movement of the tail.

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• In some situations body

contact as a tactile signal may

be important e.g. in females

purring while they suckle their

kittens.

• Chemical signals such as urine,

faeces, or anal sac secretions

function in territorial

advertisement, as does the

utterance of specific long

distance vocalizations.

• Acoustic signals comprise vocal (produced by oscillations of

the vocal folds) and non-vocal (e.g. by blowing air through

nose). Most sounds of felids are vocal.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHZm52nvBB4

• Hiss, spit, growl, snarl –

agonistic behaviour

• Yowl of Felis males at each

other – agonistic

• Loud calls -– territorial

advertisement, attracting a

partner for mating

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHZm52nvBB4

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• Lions are the only truly

• Loud calls – roar and grunt of lion, saw and grunt of leopard, jaguar

• Loud calls of smaller felids ‘mew/meow’ – high or low pitched whistling calls

• Puffing, prusten, gurgle – friendly greeting

Olfactory communication

• Play a fundamental role in governing the social lives

• Cats are believed to have a relatively poor sense of smell compared with other carnivores, but they rely on scent marks to

Documents

Carnivora – short characteristics of the modern taxaeko.uj.edu.pl/gbk/download/Carnivora_handout3.pdf · 2014-10-20 · Carnivora – short characteristics of the modern taxa •