DOCSLIB.ORG

Family Canidae

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Family Canidae Family Canidae • 13 Genera, 35 species • Digitigrade, non- retractable claws • Well-developed carnassials, crushing molars • Fossils date to Oligocene and Miocene Family Canidae Genus: Canis • Wolves, coyotes, jackals, domestic dogs • Size range: 7-40 kg • Territorial; communicate via scent marking and howling • ~10 year life span Family Canidae Genus: Vulpes • Smaller than Canis sp. (5-8 kg) • Omnivorous; cache food • 2-4 young/year • Lifespan ~5 years Family Canidae Genus: Urocyon • U-shaped temporal ridges • Males slightly larger than females • Can climb trees • Mostly solitary, but monogamous • 1-7 young/year Family Ursidae Genus: Ursus • 5 Genera, 8 species • Delayed implantation • Mostly omnivorous (except U. maritimus) • Occur everywhere but Antarctica and Australia • Black bears have alternate mechanism to conserve energy during hibernation Pinnipedia Families: Otariidae, Odobenidae and Phocidae Family Otariidae • Sea lions and fur seals • 7 Genera, 16 species • Occur along coastlines of Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans • Hind flippers can be rotated and used for Genus: Zalophus terrestrial locomotion Family Odobenidae Genus: Odobenus • 1 Genera, 1 species • Walrus • Occur along arctic shorelines of Atlantic and Pacific oceans • Upper canines form large tusks; lack enamel • Primarily eat mollusks Family Phocidae • 13 Genera, 19 species • Cannot rotate flippers; no external ear • Adapted for deep diving • Broadly distributed in polar and temperate waters Family Mustelidae • Badgers, otters, weasels • 23 Genera, 59 species • Mostly carnivorous • Variable mating and social systems • Occur in many habitat types Family Mustelidae Genus: Mustela • Solitary, delayed implantation • 3-4 young/year • Some are “Surplus killers” • Sexually dimorphic Family Mustelidae Genus: Neovison • American mink • Sexually dimorphic • Invasive species in Europe and S. America • Semi-aquatic • Populations may cycle with muskrat populations in northern latitudes Family Mustelidae Genus: Taxidea • American Badger • 5-12 kg • Solitary, polygynous, delayed implantation • 5-10 year lifespan • Compulsive diggers Family Mustelidae Genus: Lontra • N. American river otter • Large mustelid (5-14 kg) • Mostly consumes fish • Polygynous, with delayed implantation • Successfully reintroduced into Midwest, US Family Mustelidae Genus: Enhydra • Sea otter • Sea ice limits northern range, kelp forest limits their southern range • Largest mustelid (22-45 kg) • Fur density ~100,000 hairs/cm2 • Otter/Kelp/Urchin trophic interactions Family Mustelidae Genus: Gulo • Wolverine • 9-30 kg; Sexually dimorphic • Occur in boreal forests in northern hemisphere • Ferocious – will fight bears and wolves over food • Will take prey >5 times their size Family Mephitidae • Skunks • 4 Genera, 12 species • N. and S. America • Forages mostly on Genus: Spilogale insects and rodents; primary predator of honey bees • Strong anal scent glands Genus: Mephitis Family Procyonidae • Raccoons • 6 Genera, 15 species • Occur in New World • Plantigrade, non- retractable claws • Polygynous; 2-4 young/year Family Procyonidae Genus: Nasua Coatis Family Procyonidae Genus: Bassariscus Family Procyonidae Genus: Procyon Family Ailuridae • 1 Genus, 1 species • Red panda • Endemic to Himalayas • Eats mostly bamboo • 8-10 year lifespan .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • MINNESOTA MUSTELIDS Young
    By Blane Klemek MINNESOTA MUSTELIDS Young Naturalists the Slinky,Stinky Weasel family ave you ever heard anyone call somebody a weasel? If you have, then you might think Hthat being called a weasel is bad. But weasels are good hunters, and they are cunning, curious, strong, and fierce. Weasels and their relatives are mammals. They belong to the order Carnivora (meat eaters) and the family Mustelidae, also known as the weasel family or mustelids. Mustela means weasel in Latin. With 65 species, mustelids are the largest family of carnivores in the world. Eight mustelid species currently make their homes in Minnesota: short-tailed weasel, long-tailed weasel, least weasel, mink, American marten, OTTERS BY DANIEL J. COX fisher, river otter, and American badger. Minnesota Conservation Volunteer May–June 2003 n e MARY CLAY, DEMBINSKY t PHOTO ASSOCIATES r mammals a WEASELS flexible m Here are two TOM AND PAT LEESON specialized mustelid feet. b One is for climb- ou can recognize a ing and the other for hort-tailed weasels (Mustela erminea), long- The long-tailed weasel d most mustelids g digging. Can you tell tailed weasels (M. frenata), and least weasels eats the most varied e food of all weasels. It by their tubelike r which is which? (M. nivalis) live throughout Minnesota. In also lives in the widest Ybodies and their short Stheir northern range, including Minnesota, weasels variety of habitats and legs. Some, such as badgers, hunting. Otters and minks turn white in winter. In autumn, white hairs begin climates across North are heavy and chunky. Some, are excellent swimmers that hunt to replace their brown summer coat.
    [Show full text]
  • Mammalia, Felidae, Canidae, and Mustelidae) from the Earliest Hemphillian Screw Bean Local Fauna, Big Bend National Park, Brewster County, Texas
    Chapter 9 Carnivora (Mammalia, Felidae, Canidae, and Mustelidae) From the Earliest Hemphillian Screw Bean Local Fauna, Big Bend National Park, Brewster County, Texas MARGARET SKEELS STEVENS1 AND JAMES BOWIE STEVENS2 ABSTRACT The Screw Bean Local Fauna is the earliest Hemphillian fauna of the southwestern United States. The fossil remains occur in all parts of the informal Banta Shut-in formation, nowhere very fossiliferous. The formation is informally subdivided on the basis of stepwise ®ning and slowing deposition into Lower (least fossiliferous), Middle, and Red clay members, succeeded by the valley-®lling, Bench member (most fossiliferous). Identi®ed Carnivora include: cf. Pseudaelurus sp. and cf. Nimravides catocopis, medium and large extinct cats; Epicyon haydeni, large borophagine dog; Vulpes sp., small fox; cf. Eucyon sp., extinct primitive canine; Buisnictis chisoensis, n. sp., extinct skunk; and Martes sp., marten. B. chisoensis may be allied with Spilogale on the basis of mastoid specialization. Some of the Screw Bean taxa are late survivors of the Clarendonian Chronofauna, which extended through most or all of the early Hemphillian. The early early Hemphillian, late Miocene age attributed to the fauna is based on the Screw Bean assemblage postdating or- eodont and predating North American edentate occurrences, on lack of de®ning Hemphillian taxa, and on stage of evolution. INTRODUCTION southwestern North America, and ®ll a pa- leobiogeographic gap. In Trans-Pecos Texas NAMING AND IMPORTANCE OF THE SCREW and adjacent Chihuahua and Coahuila, Mex- BEAN LOCAL FAUNA: The name ``Screw Bean ico, they provide an age determination for Local Fauna,'' Banta Shut-in formation, postvolcanic (,18±20 Ma; Henry et al., Trans-Pecos Texas (®g.
    [Show full text]
  • The Nature of Teller Coyotes Physical Description Coyotes (Canis Latrans
    The Nature of Teller Coyotes Physical Description Coyotes (Canis latrans) are members of the canine family. Of the 19 subspecies, the mountain coyote is the one you’ll encounter in Teller County. They have gray, white, tan, and brown fur. The coyote in the photograph was taken from Edlowe Road. They are about the size of a medium-size dog, weighing 20 to 50 pounds. Their long, bushy tails are helpful species identifiers. Coyotes run with their tails down while domestic dogs run with tails up and wolves run with tails straight out. Life History In many areas, coyotes are solitary outside of the breeding season; but their social organization is influenced by prey size. In populations where the majority of prey are small rodents, coyotes tend to be solitary. In populations where larger animals are available (elk and deer), large groups of coyotes (packs) may form. Like other canines, coyotes do not hibernate. A male and female will pair off and remain together for several years, although they may not be life mates. Mating occurs between January and March. They establish dens abandoned by other animals, or dig one themselves. Litters of 5-7are born sightless and hairless two months after mating. Their eyes open after 10 days, and they leave the den between 8-10 weeks of age. Movement of pups from one den to another is common. The reason is unknown, but disturbance and infestation by parasites may be factors. Coyotes in captivity may live as long as 18 years, but in wild populations few coyotes live more than 6 to 8 years.
    [Show full text]
  • Mink: Wildlife Notebook Series
    Mink The American mink (Neovison vison) and other fur bearing animals attracted trappers, traders, and settlers to Alaska from around the world. Some of the most valuable furbearers belong to the Mustelidae or weasel family, which includes the American mink. Other members of this family in Alaska include weasels, martens, wolverines, river otters, and sea otters. Mink are found in every part of the state with the exceptions of Kodiak Island, Aleutian Islands, the offshore islands of the Bering Sea, and most of the Arctic Slope. General description: A mink's fur is in prime condition when guard hairs are thickest. Mink are then a chocolate brown with some irregular white patches on the chin, throat, and belly. White patches are usually larger on females and often occur on the abdomen in the area of the mammary glands. Several albino mink have been reported from Alaska. Underfur is usually thick and wavy, not longer than an inch. It is dark gray to light brown in color with some suggestion of light and dark bands. The tail is one third to one fourth of the body length with slightly longer guard hairs than the body. As an adaptation to their aquatic lifestyle, their feet have semiwebbed toes and oily guard hairs tend to waterproof the animal. Adult males range in total length from 19 to 29 inches (48-74 cm). They may weigh from three to almost five pounds (1.4-2.3 kg). Females are somewhat smaller than males. Their movements are rapid and erratic as if they are always ready to either flee or pounce on an unwary victim.
    [Show full text]
  • Glimpse of an African… Wolf? Cécile Bloch
    $6.95 Glimpse of an African… Wolf ? PAGE 4 Saving the Red Wolf Through Partnerships PAGE 9 Are Gray Wolves Still Endangered? PAGE 14 Make Your Home Howl Members Save 10% Order today at shop.wolf.org or call 1-800-ELY-WOLF Your purchases help support the mission of the International Wolf Center. VOLUME 25, NO. 1 THE QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOLF CENTER SPRING 2015 4 Cécile Bloch 9 Jeremy Hooper 14 Don Gossett In the Long Shadow of The Red Wolf Species Survival Are Gray Wolves Still the Pyramids and Beyond: Plan: Saving the Red Wolf Endangered? Glimpse of an African…Wolf? Through Partnerships In December a federal judge ruled Geneticists have found that some In 1967 the number of red wolves that protections be reinstated for of Africa’s golden jackals are was rapidly declining, forcing those gray wolves in the Great Lakes members of the gray wolf lineage. remaining to breed with the more wolf population area, reversing Biologists are now asking: how abundant coyote or not to breed at all. the USFWS’s 2011 delisting many golden jackals across Africa The rate of hybridization between the decision that allowed states to are a subspecies known as the two species left little time to prevent manage wolves and implement African wolf? Are Africa’s golden red wolf genes from being completely harvest programs for recreational jackals, in fact, wolves? absorbed into the expanding coyote purposes. If biological security is population. The Red Wolf Recovery by Cheryl Lyn Dybas apparently not enough rationale for Program, working with many other conservation of the species, then the organizations, has created awareness challenge arises to properly express and laid a foundation for the future to the ecological value of the species.
    [Show full text]
  • Cranial Morphological Distinctiveness Between Ursus Arctos and U
    East Tennessee State University Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University Electronic Theses and Dissertations Student Works 5-2017 Cranial Morphological Distinctiveness Between Ursus arctos and U. americanus Benjamin James Hillesheim East Tennessee State University Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.etsu.edu/etd Part of the Biodiversity Commons, Evolution Commons, and the Paleontology Commons Recommended Citation Hillesheim, Benjamin James, "Cranial Morphological Distinctiveness Between Ursus arctos and U. americanus" (2017). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3261. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3261 This Thesis - Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Works at Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Cranial Morphological Distinctiveness Between Ursus arctos and U. americanus ____________________________________ A thesis presented to the Department of Geosciences East Tennessee State University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science in Geosciences ____________________________________ by Benjamin Hillesheim May 2017 ____________________________________ Dr. Blaine W. Schubert, Chair Dr. Steven C. Wallace Dr. Josh X. Samuels Keywords: Ursidae, Geometric morphometrics, Ursus americanus, Ursus arctos, Last Glacial Maximum ABSTRACT Cranial Morphological Distinctiveness Between Ursus arctos and U. americanus by Benjamin J. Hillesheim Despite being separated by millions of years of evolution, black bears (Ursus americanus) and brown bears (Ursus arctos) can be difficult to distinguish based on skeletal and dental material alone. Complicating matters, some Late Pleistocene U. americanus are significantly larger in size than their modern relatives, obscuring the identification of the two bears.
    [Show full text]
  • Coyote Canis Latrans in 2007 IUCN Red List (Canis Latrans)
    MAMMALS OF MISSISSIPPI 10:1–9 Coyote (Canis latrans) CHRISTOPHER L. MAGEE Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, 39762, USA Abstract—Canis latrans (Say 1823) is a canid commonly called the coyote. It is dog-like in appearance with varied colorations throughout its range. Originally restricted to the western portion of North America, coyotes have expanded across the majority of the continent. Coyotes are omnivorous and extremely adaptable, often populating urban and suburban environments. Preferred habitats include a mixture of forested, open, and brushy areas. Currently, there exist no threats or conservation concerns for the coyote in any part of its range. This species is currently experiencing an increasing population trend. Published 5 December 2008 by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Mississippi State University Coyote location (Jackson 1951; Young 1951; Berg and Canis latrans (Say, 1823) Chesness 1978; Way 2007). The species is sexually dimorphic, with adult females distinctly CONTEXT AND CONTENT. lighter and smaller than adult males (Kennedy Order Carnivora, suborder Caniformia, et al. 2003; Way 2007). Average head and infraorder Cynoidea, family Canidae, subfamily body lengths are about 1.0–1.5 m with a tail Caninae, tribe Canini. Genus Canis consists length of about Young 1951). The skull of the of six species: C. aureus, C. latrans, C. lupus, coyote (Fig. 2) progresses through 6 distinct C. mesomelas, C. simensis, and C. adustus. developmental stages allowing delineation Canis latrans has 19 recognized subspecies between the age classes of juvenile, immature, (Wilson and Reeder 2005). young, young adult, adult, and old adult (Jackson 1951).
    [Show full text]
  • Ecology of the European Badger (Meles Meles) in the Western Carpathian Mountains: a Review
    Wildl. Biol. Pract., 2016 Aug 12(3): 36-50 doi:10.2461/wbp.2016.eb.4 REVIEW Ecology of the European Badger (Meles meles) in the Western Carpathian Mountains: A Review R.W. Mysłajek1,*, S. Nowak2, A. Rożen3, K. Kurek2, M. Figura2 & B. Jędrzejewska4 1 Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Pawińskiego 5a, 02-106 Warszawa, Poland. 2 Association for Nature “Wolf”, Twardorzeczka 229, 34-324 Lipowa, Poland. 3 Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland. 4 Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Waszkiewicza 1c, 17-230 Białowieża, Poland. * Corresponding author email: [email protected]. Keywords Abstract Altitudinal Gradient; This article summarizes the results of studies on the ecology of the European Diet Composition; badger (Meles meles) conducted in the Western Carpathians (S Poland) Meles meles; from 2002 to 2010. Badgers inhabiting the Carpathians use excavated setts Mustelidae; (53%), caves and rock crevices (43%), and burrows under human-made Sett Utilization; constructions (4%) as permanent shelters. Excavated setts are located up Spatial Organization. to 640 m a.s.l., but shelters in caves and crevices can be found as high as 1,050 m a.s.l. Badger setts are mostly located on slopes with southern, eastern or western exposure. Within their territories, ranging from 3.35 to 8.45 km2 (MCP100%), badgers may possess 1-12 setts. Family groups are small (mean = 2.3 badgers), population density is low (2.2 badgers/10 km2), as is reproduction (0.57 young/year/10 km2). Hunting by humans is the main mortality factor (0.37 badger/year/10 km2).
    [Show full text]
  • Periodic Status Review for the Steller Sea Lion
    STATE OF WASHINGTON January 2015 Periodic Status Review for the Steller Sea Lion Gary J. Wiles The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife maintains a list of endangered, threatened, and sensitive species (Washington Administrative Codes 232-12-014 and 232-12-011, Appendix E). In 1990, the Washington Wildlife Commission adopted listing procedures developed by a group of citizens, interest groups, and state and federal agencies (Washington Administrative Code 232-12-297, Appendix A). The procedures include how species listings will be initiated, criteria for listing and delisting, a requirement for public review, the development of recovery or management plans, and the periodic review of listed species. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is directed to conduct reviews of each endangered, threatened, or sensitive wildlife species at least every five years after the date of its listing. The reviews are designed to include an update of the species status report to determine whether the status of the species warrants its current listing status or deserves reclassification. The agency notifies the general public and specific parties who have expressed their interest to the Department of the periodic status review at least one year prior to the five-year period so that they may submit new scientific data to be included in the review. The agency notifies the public of its recommendation at least 30 days prior to presenting the findings to the Fish and Wildlife Commission. In addition, if the agency determines that new information suggests that the classification of a species should be changed from its present state, the agency prepares documents to determine the environmental consequences of adopting the recommendations pursuant to requirements of the State Environmental Policy Act.
    [Show full text]
  • Sierra Nevada Red Fox (Vulpes Vulpes Necator): a Conservation Assessment
    Sierra Nevada Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes necator): A Conservation Assessment John D. Perrine * Environmental Science, Policy and Management Department and Museum of Vertebrate Zoology University of California, Berkeley Lori A. Campbell** USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station Sierra Nevada Research Center Davis, California Gregory A. Green Tetra Tech EC Bothell, Washington Current address and contact information: *Primary Author: J. Perrine, Biological Sciences Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0401 [email protected] **L. Campbell, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616 Perrine, Campbell and Green R5-FR-010 August 2010 NOTES IN PROOF • Genetic analyses by B. Sacks and others 2010 (Conservation Genetics 11:1523-1539) indicate that the Sacramento Valley red fox population is native to California and is closely related to the Sierra Nevada red fox. They designated the Sacramento Valley red fox as a new subspecies, V. v. patwin. • In August 2010, as this document was going to press, biologists on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest detected a red fox at an automatic camera station near the Sonora Pass along the border of Tuolomne and Mono Counties. Preliminary genetic analyses conducted at UC Davis indicate that the fox was a Sierra Nevada red fox. Further surveys and analyses are planned. • The California Department of Fish and Game Region 1 Timber Harvest Program has established a Sierra Nevada red fox information portal, where many management-relevant documents can be downloaded as PDFs. See: https://r1.dfg.ca.gov/Portal/SierraNevadaRedFox/tabid/618/Default.aspx Sierra Nevada Red Fox Conservation Assessment EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This conservation assessment provides a science-based, comprehensive assessment of the status of the Sierra Nevada red fox (Vulpes vulpes necator) and its habitat.
    [Show full text]
  • Brain-Size Evolution and Sociality in Carnivora
    Brain-size evolution and sociality in Carnivora John A. Finarellia,b,1 and John J. Flynnc aDepartment of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan, 2534 C.C. Little Building, 1100 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109; bMuseum of Paleontology, University of Michigan, 1529 Ruthven Museum, 1109 Geddes Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109; and cDivision of Paleontology and Richard Gilder Graduate School, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024 Edited by Alan Walker, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, and approved April 22, 2009 (received for review February 16, 2009) Increased encephalization, or larger brain volume relative to body develop a comprehensive view of the evolutionary history of mass, is a repeated theme in vertebrate evolution. Here we present encephalization across 289 terrestrial species (including 125 an extensive sampling of relative brain sizes in fossil and extant extinct species) of Carnivora, providing an extensive sampling of taxa in the mammalian order Carnivora (cats, dogs, bears, weasels, fossil and living taxa for both major subclades: Caniformia and and their relatives). By using Akaike Information Criterion model Feliformia. selection and endocranial volume and body mass data for 289 species (including 125 fossil taxa), we document clade-specific Results evolutionary transformations in encephalization allometries. Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) model selection recovered These evolutionary transformations include multiple independent 4 optimal models (OM) within 2 log-likelihood units of the encephalization increases and decreases in addition to a remark- highest score (Table 1). There is broad agreement among the ably static basal Carnivora allometry that characterizes much of the OM with differences primarily in estimates of allometric slopes.
    [Show full text]
  • Curiosity in the American Black Bear
    CURIOSITYIN THE AMERICANBLACK BEAR ELLISS. BACON,University of Tennessee, Instituteof Ecology,Townsend, TN 37882 Abstract: American black bears (Ursus americanus) were tested to quantify their response to novel objects placed in their environment. The results indicatethat the level of orientationmay be greaterin the black bear than in other North Americancarnivores. The explorationof objects by the black bear is characterizedby a high degree of contact with the objects. This contact consists primarilyof manipulatingthe objects with the forepaws and chewing the objects. The intense curiosity of the black bear should be recognized and consideredin the managementof this species and in the evaluation of bear/humanconflicts. Understand the behavior of an animal and its tive data on behaviors considered as curiosity were relationshipto its environmentis an importantconsid- lacking. eration in management of areas where humans and The curiosity of the bear had primarilybeen related bears come into frequent contact, but it is often over- by anecdotaland narrativeinformation. Everyone has a looked as a topic of research. The relationshipof game good story but no quantitative data. Several authors species to their environmentis usually studied in terms have noted that the bear exhibits a great deal of curios- of populationsand trends without consideringbehavior ity about humans and man-made objects. Leyhausen of individual animals. In practice, however, manage- (1948) and Burghardtand Burghardt(1972) described ment of large, solitary animals such as the black bear in young black bears manipulatingunfamiliar objects and a preserve situation is often on an individual level, food with both mouth and forepaws. Krott and Krott which requires an understandingof their behavior.
    [Show full text]