Artiodactyla
Large, successful group of ungulates. About 220 species, divided into 10 families.
We'll look at all of them.
Incidentally, technically whales are cows - at least if you follow a strict cladistic logic.
(Whales and hippos are closely related).
Many members are very important to humans (camels, pigs, cattle, etc.)
Use 2nd and 3rd digits to walk on (other digits reduced or absent), often looking remarkably symmetrical.
Running adaptations mentioned earlier (similar to perrisodactyls).
Family Camelidae
Probably originated in North America and then spread out in two directions.
Four to six species - two camels, one - three “lamas” and the vicugna.
Text seems to indicate that domesticated varieties should all be one species - other sources disagree.
Camels are strictly old word, lama and vicugna new world.
Foot spreads out more and supports animals over softer soil conditions.
(Think of camels and desert).
Camels have numerous adaptations to living in deserts:
Foot structure already mentioned.
Ability to store fat in humps (provides both food and metabolic water).
Specialized nasal passages that dry air on exhaling.
Body temperature can rise by 6ºC (without ill effect)
(For comparison, we would have a fever of over 109º F).
Bactrian camel (two humped) is seriously endangered (at least wild populations are).
Camels have been domesticated and are used in many of the same conditions as horses (generally in drier climates). Several countries (including Australia) even do camel races.
Lamas and vicugnas live in South America
Generally live in small herds dominated by adult male.
Several have also been domesticated and are used by people in South America for food, leather, wool, etc. Even occasionally to carry things.
May live at very high altitudes in the Andes.
Family Suidae - pigs.
Another group important to humans.
However, there are other species (not just the pig).
18 species occur world wide; most do resemble pigs to some extent.
With the exception of the warthog are actually omnivorous, eating pretty much anything.
(Some will actively hunt rodents, snakes, etc.).
Most prefer forested areas (warthog, again, is an exception).
Often hang out in small groups.
Pigs were probably domesticated 8,000 - 10,000 years ago.
Text suggests recent evidence shows pigs being domesticated in several places more or less at the same time.
Some pigs have impressive tusks:
Warthog, babirussa, even some domestic “wild hogs”.
Family Tayassuidae - peccaries or javelinas.
Southwest U.S. to Argentina.
Fossil history is not precisely known, though they're thought to have originated from pigs.
Only three species (Wikipedia claims four), but some are quite common.
A “giant” peccary was recently discovered in the Amazon.
(Lives in pairs; but may be same species as collared peccary). Similar diet to pigs, but perhaps somewhat more herbivorous.
Live in small groups.
Can move quickly if needed.
Can also be very aggressive and rather dangerous if confronted.
Collared peccary lives in southwest U.S.
Typical peccary in habits, though in urban areas they're known to eat ornamental plants and crops.
Many cities (like Tuscon) have washes that enable peccaries and other wildlife to move through large parts of the city unhindered.
(Usually dry except during thunderstorms).
Family Tragulidae - chevrotains
Think “miniature deer”. Also called mouse deer.
Eight to ten species depending on who you talk to.
No antlers or horns, but enlarged canines that can be used by males in fights.
Text calls them a “basal” ruminant.
Live in pairs; herbivorous; many of them are almost aquatic in habits.
Family Antilocapridae - pronghorns
Unique - only one species.
Used to be a more diverse group.
North American distribution (out west).
Probably the “second” fastest land mammal.
Text mentions that speed may have evolved due to pressures from the extinct North American cheetah (extinct by end of Pleistocene).
But can run for much longer distances than cheetahs.
Have several adaptations (lungs, hemoglobin, etc.) that facilitate endurance. One of the few “families” that only occurs in North America; used as a symbol by the ASM (not the American Society of Microbiology!)
Sheds horn annually, though bony core is permanent (this is unique).
Family Giraffidae - giraffes.
Everyone is familiar with giraffes - unmistakable.
But also includes okapis (endangered).
Giraffes:
Have horns (cartilagenous) that are not shed.
Are (obviously) very tall; adaptation is for browsing at a higher level than other herbivores (save maybe the elephant).
Giraffe is also famous for being used by Lamarck in his “theory of evolution by acquired characteristics”.
Have numerous adaptations to deal with height including:
Larger heart that beats at 160 bpm.
Various structures that prevent brain from exploding when giraffe bends down to drink.
Are actually capable of running at speed (are preyed on by lions (occasionally)).
Numerous subspecies, many of which can be told apart by fur patterns.
Okapis:
Rain forest species, only discovered in 1901.
But hieroglyphic from ancient Egypt shows an Okapi.
Males have horns, females don't, but are taller.
Live in pairs.
Listed as “near threatened”.
Live primarily in the Democratic Republic of the Congo which has a long sad history of wars and civil conflict. Family Cervidae - deer.
Worldwide distribution (except Australia, of course; but even into parts of Africa).
Males have antlers that regrow every year (except water deer - no antlers, but enlarged canines).
Females have antlers only in caribou.
Text mentions that antlers in moose and elk may grow as much as 2 cm /day.
Occur in all types of habitats: forest, plains, tundra, etc.
Typically, males will fight over females in the fall (hence the antlers).
“Reindeer” have been domesticated in parts of the world (mostly northern Finland) and actually used for pulling sleds, milk, meat, other things.
Around here are causing serious problems due to overpopulation.
Mostly caused by lack of natural predators (e.g., mountain lion).
(Hunting deer is frowned upon by many people).
U.S. species include two types of deer, elk, moose, and caribou (= reindeer).
Some deer have been introduced to U.S.:
e.g., Sika deer on the Eastern Shore (e.g., Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge).
Some species (caribou) form large herds, others (moose) are more solitary.
Caribou herds exhibit one of the great migrations in the world - similar to wildebeest in East Africa.
Mosquitoes can seriously impact caribou at times.
Shed antlers are an important source of calcium for many other animals, including rodents.
One reason why antlers don't last long in the wild.
Formerly placed into the Cervidae.
Without antlers, but with large canines. Only seven species, found in Asia.
Are very agile and can run and change directions quickly - can even jump into branches of trees.
Musk is generated by a gland on the abdomen of males.
Heavily used in perfume and medication.
Has caused overhunting and all species are now endangered.
Family Bovidae - antelopes, goats, buffalo, etc.
Large, very successful family. Includes over 140 species.
Worldwide, except South America and Australia.
In addition to subfamily, this is one of the few groups where the taxonomic designation of “tribe” is sometimes used to help sort through all the species.
Horns are usually found in both sexes.
In males can be used in fights.
Females (depending on species) can used them to defend against predators.
Are not shed (kept permanently).
Found in many habitats, from deep forests (e.g. bushbucks) to plains (many African Antelopes).
Some (many goats) have adapted well to living and moving in mountains.
Found in some amazingly steep areas.
In the U.S. we have bison/buffalo, muskox, mountain goats, white/dall sheep and bighorn sheep.
Muskox are extraordinarily well adapted to cold climates
Also given as a gift to China in exchange for Pandas.
Buffalo almost went extinct due to needless hunting from moving trains.
Some of this was done deliberately to weaken Native tribes who depended on buffalo for food.
Sometimes pelts were collected and the rest left to rot. Sometimes the whole animal was just left to rot. In Africa the diversity gets a little nuts:
Gazelles, antelopes, wildebeest, oryx, eland, dik-dik, bushbuck, etc.
Wildebeest come together to form one of the largest migrations of land animals anywhere in the world:
Over 1.5 million wildebeest may be involved.
Accompanied by other bovids (e.g. Thomson's gazelles, eland) but also zebra.
Lot's of well known pictures of river crossings etc.
Obviously also very important to humans:
Cattle!
Like it or not, they provide milk and meat.
(And let's not forget cheese!)
Domesticated between 8,000 and 10,000 years ago.
Even today are very important to many cultures (not just as a food source).
Wealth is still measured by the size of someone's cattle herd in parts of the world.
Of course, there's also the whole argument of the environmental impact of cattle.
Goats are also important, for some of the same reasons as above.
Are probably more destructive since they can live in marginal areas.
These areas soon become completely devoid living things as goats literally eat almost anything.
Are one of the most important reasons for the extinction of many animals, particularly on islands where they have been introduced.
Sheep - provide wool, which even today is an important fiber.
Also provide meat (“leg of lamb”, etc.) Family Hippopotamidae - hippos
Only two species, hippos and pygmy hippos.
Generally, hippos spend most of the day in water. Will climb out onto land at night to forage for food.
Hippos are one of the most dangerous animals in Africa because they stampede easily (if you're between a hippo and water...).
Skin secretes natural sunscreen and oils to protect the skin.
Hippos usually live in large groups.
Defecate by spreading feces with tail as they emerge.
Marking territory? Other function?
Very few natural predators due to aggressive nature and large size.
Pygmy hippos live in West Africa and are generally solitary.
Listed as endangered (habitat loss).