Canidae
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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 lycaons. 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.
Classification and relationshipNote 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, which exclude Nyctereutes, Urocyon and Otocyon. (See phylogeny below). Molecular data implies an African origin of canines.[1]. The Domestic Dog is listed by some authorities as Canis familiaris and others (including the Smithsonian Institution and the American Society of Mammalogists) 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 full species; and the Dingo is variously classified as Canis dingo, Canis lupus dingo, Canis familiaris dingo and Canis lupus familiaris dingo. Evolution of the Canids
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Canine
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First Canids [1]
EvolutionEocene epochThe 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. Oligocene epochThe 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.[2] Miocene epochAround 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. Pliocene epoch
Early PlioceneDuring 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.[3] 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. Middle PlioceneAround 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. Late PlioceneAt 0.3 Mya Canus lupus (Gray wolf) has fully developed and has spread throughout Europe and northern Asia. Berengia offers a way to North America. [4] 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. CharacteristicsWild 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 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. [5] 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. DentitionMost canids have 42 teeth, with a dental formula of:
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. Species and taxonomy
Linnean taxonomyFAMILY CANIDAE Subfamily: Caninae
Fossil CanidaeClassification of Hesperocyoninae from Wang (1994). Classification of Borophaginae from Wang et al. (1999). Prehistoric Caninae
Borophaginae : † (Ma = million years ago)
Hesperocyoninae : † (Ma = million years ago)
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References
External links
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