Canidae

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Canids[1]
Fossil range: Paleogene (55.4 Ma) - Recent
Coyote (Canis latrans)
Coyote (Canis latrans)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Caniformia
Family: Canidae
G. Fischer de Waldheim, 1817
Genera and species

See text

The Canidae (IPA: /ˈkænədiː/, ′kanə′dē) family is a part of the order Carnivora within the mammals (Class Mammalia). Members of the family are called canids and include dogs, wolves, foxes, coyotes, dingoes, jackals, and African Wild Dogs. The Canidae family is divided into the "true dogs" (or canines) of the tribe Canini and the "foxes" of the tribe Vulpini. The two species of the basal Caninae are more primitive and don't fit into either tribe. Any member of this family can be referred to generally as a canid.

Contents

[edit] Classification and relationship

Note that the subdivision of Canidae into "foxes" and "true dogs" may not be in accordance with the actual relations, and that the taxonomic classification of several canines is disputed. Recent DNA analysis has shown, however, that Canini (dogs) and Vulpini (foxes) are valid clades. (See phylogeny below). Molecular data implies a North American origin of living Canidae and an African origin of wolf-like canines (Canis, Cuon, and Lycaon).[2]

Currently the domestic dog is listed as a subspecies of Canis lupus, C. l. familiaris, with the Dingo (also considered a domestic dog) listed as C. l. dingo, provisionally a separate subspecies from C. l. familiaris; the Red Wolf, Eastern Canadian Wolf, and Indian Wolf are recognized as subspecies as well.[1]

The domestic dog is listed by some authorities[who?] as Canis familiaris and others (including the Smithsonian Institution[citation needed] and the American Society of Mammalogists[citation needed]) as a subspecies of the Gray Wolf (i.e., Canis lupus familiaris); the Red Wolf, Eastern Canadian Wolf, and Indian Wolf may or may not be separate species; and the Dingo has been in the past variously classified as Canis dingo, Canis familiaris dingo and Canis lupus familiaris dingo.

Evolution of the Canids
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Modern-looking dogs[verification needed]
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Canine
radiation
An approximate timescale of key events in canid evolution.
For precise dates, see text.
Axis scale: millions of years ago.
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[edit] Evolution

[edit] Eocene epoch

The Canidae family evolved from miacids about 40 million years ago in the late Eocene to early Oligocene. The Canidae family is subdivided into three subfamilies, each of which diverged during the Eocene: Hesperocyoninae (~39.74-15 Mya), Borophaginae (~36-2 Mya), and the Caninae lineage that led to present-day canids, including wolves, foxes, coyotes, jackals, and domestic dogs.

Each of the groups showed an increase in body mass with time before their specialised hypercarnivorous diet made them prone to extinction.[3]:Fig. 1

[edit] Oligocene epoch

The earliest branch of the Canidae was the Hesperocyoninae lineage, which included the coyote-sized Mesocyon of the Oligocene (38-24 Mya). These early canids probably evolved for fast pursuit of prey in a grassland habitat, and resembled modern civets in appearance. Hesperocyonine dogs became extinct except for the Nothocyon and Leptocyon branches. These branches lead to the borophagine and canine radiations.[4]

[edit] Miocene epoch

Around 9-10 Mya during the Late Miocene, Canis, Urocyon, and Vulpes genera expand from southwestern North America. This is the point where canine radiation begins. The success of the these canines is the development of lower carnassials that are capable of both mastication and shearing. Around 8 Mya, Berengia offers the canines a way to enter Eurasia.

[edit] Pliocene epoch

 This section may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards.
Please improve this article if you can (February 2008).

[edit] Early Pliocene

During the Pliocene around (4-5 Mya) Canis lepophagus appears in North America. This dog is small with some being coyote-like. Others are wolf-like in characteristics. It is theorized that Canis latrans (coyote) descended from Canis lepophagus.[5] Around 1.5 to 1.8 Mya, a variety of wolves are now in Europe. Also, the North American wolf line appears with Canis edwardii as clearly identifiable as a wolf. Canis rufus, a red wolf canine appears and possibly a direct descendent of Canis edwardii.

[edit] Middle Pliocene

Around 0.8 Mya Canis ambrusteri, emerges in North America. A large wolf, it is found all over the continent. It is thought that this species went to South America where it becomes the ancestor of the Canis dirus or Dire wolf.

[edit] Late Pliocene

At 0.3 Mya Canis lupus (Gray wolf) has fully developed and has spread throughout Europe and northern Asia. Berengia offers a way to North America. [6] At around 100,000 years ago, the Dire wolf, some of the largest members of the dog family, appears from southern Canada to South America and coast to coast. The Dire wolf shares its habitat with the Gray wolf. Around 8000 years ago the Dire wolf becomes extinct.

[edit] Characteristics

Wild canids are found on every continent, except Antarctica, and inhabit a wide range of different habitats, including deserts, mountains, forests, and grassland. They vary in size from the fennec fox at 24 cm in length, to the gray wolf, which may be up to 200 cm long, and can weigh up to 80 kg.

With the sole living exception of the bush dog, canids have relatively long legs and lithe bodies, adapted for chasing prey. All canids are digitigrade, meaning that they walk on their toes. They possess bushy tails, non-retractile claws, and a dewclaw on the front feet. They possess a baculum, which together with a cavernous body helps to create a copulatory tie during mating, locking the animals together for up to an hour. Young canids are born blind, with their eyes opening a few weeks after birth. [7]

Many species live and hunt in packs, and have complex social lives. They are generally highly adaptable, and there may be considerable variation in habits even within a single species.

[edit] Dentition

Most canids have 42 teeth, with a dental formula of:

3.1.4.2
3.1.4.3

As in other members of the carnivora, the upper fourth premolar and lower first molar are adapted as carnassial teeth for slicing flesh. The molar teeth are strong in most species, allowing the animals to crack open bone to reach the marrow. The deciduous or baby teeth formula in canids is 3 1 3; molars are completely absent.

[edit] Species and taxonomy

Phylogeny of the Canidae

Hesperocyoninae



Borophaginae



Urocyon ("foxes")



Otocyon (Bat-eared fox)


Nyctereutes


Vulpes (true foxes)




Speothos


Chrysocyon




Schaeffia



Lupulella


Lycaon



Cuon


Canis (wolves & domestic dogs)






Cerdocyon


Atelocynus


Lycalopex & Dusicyon







Based on a range of morphological, molecular and protein data.[8][9]
Significant groups in bold type.
Gray Wolf
Gray Wolf
Coyote
Coyote
African Hunting Dog
African Hunting Dog
Red Fox
Red Fox
Red Wolf
Red Wolf
Dhole
Dhole
Golden Jackal
Golden Jackal
Bat-eared Fox
Bat-eared Fox
Maned Wolf
Maned Wolf
Short-eared Dog
Short-eared Dog
Pampas Fox
Pampas Fox
Arctic Fox
Arctic Fox

[edit] Linnean taxonomy

FAMILY CANIDAE

Subfamily: Caninae

  • Basal Caninae
    • Genus Otocyon (probably a vulpine close to Urocyon)
    • Genus Nyctereutes

[edit] Fossil Canidae

Classification of Hesperocyoninae from Wang (1994)[10] and Borophaginae from Wang et al. (1999),[11] except where noted.

Prehistoric Caninae

  • Canini
    • Genus Canis
      • Dire Wolf, Canis dirus (1 Ma †)
      • Canis arnensis (3.4 Ma, †)
      • Canis (Eucyon) cipio (8.2 Ma †, probably first species of Canis genus)
      • Canis etruscus (3.4 Ma †)
      • Canis mosbachensis (0.787 Ma †)
      • Canis lepophagus (4-5 Ma †)
      • Canis donnezani (4.0-3.1 Ma †, probably ancestor of wolves)
      • Canis edwardii (1.8 Ma †, first species of wolf in North America)
      • Canis gezi †
      • Canis nehringi †
      • Canis ameghinoi †
      • Canis michauxi †
      • Canis adoxus †
      • Canis cautleyi †
      • Canis armbrusteri (0.8 Ma †)
    • Genus Theriodictis (1.8 Ma †)
      • Theriodictis platensis (1.8 Ma †)
      • Theriodictis tarijensis (1.8 Ma †)
      • Theriodictis (Canis) proplatensis (2.1 Ma † )
    • Genus Protocyon †
      • Protocyon orcesi †
      • Protocyon scagliarum †
      • Protocyon troglodytes †
    • Genus Dusicyon †
      • Dusicyon avus †
    • Genus Cerdocyon
    • Genus Speothos
    • Genus Nurocyon
      • Nurocyon chonokhariensis †
    • Genus Xenocyon
  • Vulpini
    • Genus Vulpes (7 Ma to present)
      • Vulpes alopecoides (2.6 Ma †)
      • Vulpes cf. alopecoides (2.6 Ma †)
      • Vulpes cf. vulpes (0.1275 Ma †)
      • Vulpes galaticus (4.2 Ma †)
      • Vulpes riffautae (7 Ma †)
  • Basal Canids
    • Genus Nyctereutes (7.1 Ma to present)
      • Nyctereutes cf. donnezani (7.1 Ma †)
      • Nyctereutes cf. megamastoides (3.158 Ma †)
      • Nyctereutes donnezani (3.4 Ma †)
      • Nyctereutes megamostoides (2.6 Ma †)
      • Nyctereutes sinensis (3.4 Ma †)
  • First Caninae
    • Genus Eucyon (8 Ma †)
      • Eucyon davisi (8.3 Ma †, probably ancestor of Canis)
      • Eucyon minor (8 Ma †)
      • Eucyon zhoui (8 Ma †)
      • Eucyon monticinensis(8 Ma †)
      • Eucyon odessanus †
    • Genus Leptocyon (24-16 Ma †)
      • Leptocyon vafer (16 Ma)
      • Leptocyon vulpinus (24 Ma)

Borophaginae : † (Ma = million years ago)

    • Genus Aelurodon (16-12 Ma)
      • Aelurodon asthenostylus (16 Ma)
      • Aelurodon ferox (15 Ma)
      • Aelurodon mcgrewi (15 Ma)
      • Aelurodon montanensis (15 Ma)[12]
      • Aelurodon stirtoni (13 Ma)
      • Aelurodon taxoides (12 Ma)
    • Genus Archaeocyon (32-24 Ma)
      • Archaeocyon falkenbachi (25-24 Ma)
      • Archaeocyon leptodus (32-24 Ma)
      • Archaeocyon pavidus (32-28 Ma)
    • Genus Borophagus (12-5 Ma)
      • Borophagus dividersidens (5 Ma)
      • Borophagus dudleyi
      • Borophagus hilli (6 Ma)
      • Borophagus littoralis (12 Ma)
      • Borophagus orc (9 Ma)
      • Borophagus parvus (7 Ma)
      • Borophagus pugnator (9 Ma)
      • Borophagus secundus (9 Ma)
    • Genus Carpocyon
      • Carpocyon compressus
      • Carpocyon limosus
      • Carpocyon robustus
      • Carpocyon webbi
    • Genus Cormocyon
      • Cormocyon copei
      • Cormocyon haydeni
    • Genus Cynarctoides (30-18 Ma)
      • Cynarctoides acridens (24 Ma)
      • Cynarctoides emryi (21 Ma)
      • Cynarctoides gawnae (18 Ma)
      • Cynarctoides harlowi (21 Ma)
      • Cynarctoides lemur (30 Ma)
      • Cynarctoides luskensis (21 Ma)
      • Cynarctoides roii (30 Ma)
    • Genus Cynarctus (16-12 Ma)
      • Cynarctus crucidens (12 Ma)
      • Cynarctus galushai (16 Ma)
      • ?Cynarctus marylandica
      • Cynarctus saxatilis (15 Ma)
      • Cynarctus voorhiesi (13 Ma)
    • Genus Desmocyon (24-19 Ma)
      • Desmocyon matthewi (19 Ma)
      • Desmocyon thompsoni (24 Ma)
    • Genus Epicyon (12-10 Ma)
      • Epicyon aelurodontoides (10.3-4.9 Ma)
      • Epicyon haydeni (10 Ma)
      • Epicyon saevus (12 Ma)
    • Genus Eulopocyon (18-16 Ma)
      • Eulopocyon brachygnathus (16 Ma)
      • Eulopocyon spissidens (18 Ma)
    • Genus Metatomarctus (19-16 Ma)
      • Metatomarctus canavus (19 Ma)
      • Metatomarctus sp. A (16 Ma)
      • Metatomarctus sp. B (16 Ma)
    • Genus Microtomarctus (18 Ma)
      • Microtomarctus conferta (18 Ma)
    • Genus Otarocyon (34-30 Ma)
      • Otarocyon cooki (30 Ma)
      • Otarocyon macdonaldi (34 Ma)
    • Genus Oxetocyon (32 Ma)
      • Oxetocyon cuspidatus (32 Ma)
    • Genus Paracynarctus (19-16 Ma)
      • Paracynarctus kelloggi (19 Ma)
      • Paracynarctus sinclairi (16 Ma)
    • Genus Paratomarctus (16-13 Ma)
      • Paratomarctus euthos (13 Ma)
      • Paratomarctus temerarius (16 Ma)
    • Genus Phlaocyon (30-19 Ma)
      • Phlaocyon achoros
      • Phlaocyon annectens (22 Ma)
      • Phlaocyon latidens (30 Ma)
      • Phlaocyon leucosteus (22 Ma)
      • Phlaocyon mariae
      • Phlaocyon marslandensis (19 Ma)
      • Phlaocyon minor (30 Ma)
      • Phlaocyon multicuspus
      • Phlaocyon taylori[13]
      • Phlaocyon yakolai (19 Ma)
    • Genus Protepicyon (16 Ma)
      • Protepicyon raki (16 Ma)
    • Genus Protomarctus (18 Ma)
      • Protomarctus optatus (18 Ma)
    • Genus Psalidocyon (16 Ma)
      • Psalidocyon marianae (16 Ma)
    • Genus Rhizocyon (30 Ma)
      • Rhizocyon oregonensis (30 Ma)
    • Genus Tephrocyon (16 Ma)
      • Tephrocyon rurestris (16 Ma)
    • Genus Tomarctus (16 Ma)
      • Tomarctus brevirostris (16 Ma)
      • Tomarctus hippophaga (16 Ma)

Hesperocyoninae : † (Ma = million years ago)

    • Genus Cynodesmus (32-29 Ma)
      • Cynodesmus martini (29 Ma)
      • Cynodesmus thooides (32 Ma)
    • ?Genus Caedocyon
      • Caedocyon tedfordi
    • Genus Ectopocynus (32-19 Ma)
      • Ectopocynus antiquus (32 Ma)
      • Ectopocynus intermedius (29 Ma)
      • Ectopocynus siplicidens (19 Ma)
    • Genus Enhydrocyon (29-25 Ma)
      • Enhydrocyon basilatus (25 Ma)
      • Enhydrocyon crassidens (25 Ma)
      • Enhydrocyon pahinsintewkpa (29 Ma)
      • Enhydrocyon stenocephalus (29 Ma)
    • Genus Hesperocyon (39.74-34 Ma)
      • Hesperocyon coloradensis
      • Hesperocyon gregarius (37 Ma)
    • Genus Mesocyon (34-29 Ma)
      • Mesocyon brachyops (29 Ma)
      • Mesocyon coryphaeus (29 Ma)
      • Mesocyn temnodon
    • Genus Osbornodon (32-18 Ma)
      • Osbornodon brachypus
      • Osbornodon fricki (18 Ma)
      • Osbornodon iamonensis (21 Ma)
      • Osbornodon renjiei (33 Ma)
      • Osbornodon scitulus[14]
      • Osbornodon sesnoni (32 Ma)
      • Osbornodon wangi[13]
    • Genus Paraenhydrocyon (30-25 Ma)
      • Paraenhydrocyon josephi (30 Ma)
      • Paraenhydrocyon robustus (25 Ma)
      • Paraenhydrocyon wallovianus (26 Ma)
    • Genus Philotrox (29 Ma)
      • Philotrox condoni (29 Ma)
    • Genus Prohesperocyon (36 Ma)
      • Prohesperocyon wilsoni (36 Ma)
    • Genus Sunkahetanka (29 Ma)
      • Sunkahetanka geringensis (29 Ma)

[edit] See also

Wikispecies has information related to:
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[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Wozencraft, W. C. (16 November 2005). in Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M. (eds): Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. 
  2. ^ Lindblad-toh, K.; Wade, C.M.; Mikkelsen, T.S.; Karlsson, E.K.; Jaffe, D.B.; Kamal, M.; Clamp, M.; Chang, J.L.; Kulbokas Iii, E.J.; Zody, M.C.; Others, (2005). "Genome sequence, comparative analysis and haplotype structure of the domestic dog". Nature 438 (7069): 803-819. 
  3. ^ Van Valkenburgh, B. (2004). "Cope's Rule, Hypercarnivory, and Extinction in North American Canids". Science 30: 101. doi:10.1126/science.1102417.  edit
  4. ^ Martin, L.D. 1989. Fossil history of the terrestrial carnivora. Pages 536 - 568 in J.L. Gittleman, editor. Carnivore Behavior, Ecology, and Evolution, Vol. 1. Comstock Publishing Associates: Ithaca.
  5. ^ Nowak, R.M. 1979. North American Quaternary Canis. Monograph of the Museum of Natural History, University of Kansas 6:1 - 154.
  6. ^ Nowak, R. 1992. Wolves: The great travelers of evolution. International Wolf 2(4):3 - 7.
  7. ^ Macdonald, D. (1984). The Encyclopedia of Mammals. New York: Facts on File, 57. ISBN 0-87196-871-1. 
  8. ^ Hesperocyoninae & Borophaginae as per Wang et al., figure 139.
  9. ^ Zrzavý, J. & Řičánková, V. (2004). "Phylogeny of Recent Canidae (Mammalia, Carnivora): relative reliability and utility of morphological and molecular datasets". Zoologica Scripta 33 (4): 311. doi:10.1111/j.0300-3256.2004.00152.x. 
  10. ^ Wang, Xiaoming (1994). "Phylogenetic systematics of the Hesperocyoninae". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 221: 1-207. 
  11. ^ Wang, Xiaoming; Richard Tedford, Beryl Taylor (1999). "Phylogenetic systematics of the Borophaginae". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 243: 1-391. 
  12. ^ Wang, Xiaoming; Wideman, Benjamin, Nichols, Ralph, & Hanneman, Debra (2004). "A new species of Aelurodon (Carnivora, Canidae) from the Barstovian of Montana". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 24 (2): 445-452. 
  13. ^ a b Hayes, F.G. (2000). "The Brooksville 2 local fauna (Arikareean, latest Oligocene) Hernando County, Florida". Bulletin of the Florida Museum of Natural History 43 (1): 1-47. 
  14. ^ Wang, Xiaoming (2003). "New Material of Osbornodon from the Early Hemingfordian of Nebraska and Florida". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 279: 163-176. 

[edit] External links

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Extant Carnivora families by suborder
Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Mammalia · Infraclass: Eutheria · Superorder: Laurasiatheria
Feliformia
Caniformia