Caniformia
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| Caniforms Fossil range: Paleocene - Recent |
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The Caniformia, or Canoidea (dog-shaped carnivores) are a suborder within the order Carnivora. They typically possess a long snout and non-retractile claws (in contrast to the cat-like carnivores, the Feliformia). The Pinnipedia (seals, sea lions, and walruses) evolved from caniform ancestors and are accordingly assigned to this group. All members of this group (with exception of Canidae) have non-retractile claws and tend to be plantigrade. Another trait that separates from the Feliformia is they have more teeth. They have longer rostrum less specialized carnassials. They tend more towards omnivorous and opportunity-based feeding, while the Feliforms are more specialized in eating meat. Caniforms have single-chambered or partially divided auditory bullae, composed of a single bone, while in Feliforms the auditory bullae are double-chambered, composed of two bones joined by a septum. This is important in contrasting the differences in Feliforms and Caniforms.
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[edit] Extant families
They are 9 living families (3 extinct and 1 once thought belong to the group, the Hyaenidae). They are found all over the world (even when not counting dogs), even mainland Antarctica, as seals have no natural land predators so they can rest on land. For more info, click on the link.
Family Canidae (canids, or commonly known as either dogs or canines) includes wolves, dogs, foxes and so on. They are the most social of all the Caniforms, living in packs. The dog is the world's most diverse of all mammals when it comes to body structure.
Family Ursidae (the bears) are the largest of all the land Caniforms. Range from the large Polar bear (males, 775–1500+ lb) to the small Sun bear (males, 66-132 lb) and from the endangered Giant panda to the very common Black bear. They're more of a herbivore.
Family Ailuridae (Red panda), once thought to be either part of the Procyonidae or the Ursidae, now belongs to its own family. Found in China, but may have also lived in North America.
Family Mephitidae (skunks), once thought to be part of the Mustelidae, now a group in its own right. This group is famous for its foul smell.
Family Mustelidae (weasels and otters) are the most diverse of the group. Famous for their fierce hunting instinct and streamlined body.
[edit] Evolutionary history
The caniforms first appeared as tree-climbing, cat-like carnivores in the Paleocene (65-55 million years ago). Miacis was probably an early caniform.
[edit] Classification
| Caniformia |
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[edit] External links
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