From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ferae is a clade of mammals, consisting of the orders Carnivora (over 260 species, across the globe) and Pholidota (8 species of pangolin in tropical Africa and Asia). Pangolins do not look much like carnivorans (wolves, cats, seals, and so on), and were thought to be the closest relatives of Xenarthra (armadillos, sloths, and so on). But recent DNA research found the close relationship to Carnivores. Ferae also includes the Creodonta, extinct primitive carnivoran-like mammals. Several extinct orders, relatives of Pholidota, are members of Ferae as well. These orders are sometimes united with the Pholidota in one, large order: Cimolesta. An alternate name, Ostentoria, has also been proposed for a grouping of Carnivora and Pholidota.[1]
The closest relatives of Ferae are the Perissodactyla (horses, tapirs and rhinos) and the Cetartiodactyla (which combines Artiodactyla--camels, pigs, ruminants and hippos--with Cetacea--whales and dolphins).[2]
[edit] Cladogram
[edit] References
