Traits

Sunday, March 20, 2011

7:10 PM

Characteristics

Lagomorphs

- Characterized by fostral fenestra

- 1 in pikas
- #’s in rabbits and hares
- Massive incisive foramen
- Bridge like palate
- Prey like teeth
- Large diastima

Rodents

- 4 large sharp anterior I

- Large diastema
- Curved mandible that is loosely articulated
- Infraborbital formina differ in shape

Family Scuridae

- Well developed post orbital process that stick out

- Small infraorbital foramen
- Large zygomatic plate
- Mastoid muscles don’t pass through foramen (small)
o Scurimorphs – very small muscles do not pass through
o Myomorph – part of muscle through - slit like
o Hysticomorphs – massive – muscles pass through

Family Geomydiae – Pocket gopher

- Flattened squared skulls

- Wide spreading zygomata
- Temporal ridges and sagittal crest

Family Castoridae – beavers

- Large heavy skull

- Tiny infraorbital formina
- Orbits are small elevated

Family Muridae – rats, Mice, Voles

- myomorphs
- Slit like infraorbits
- 3 cheek teeth
- Lacks postorbital process

Family Ethizonidtae

- Large infraorbital foramen

- Histomorphs

Mammology Page 1
 - Histomorphs

Carnivora

- Large canine teeth

- Usually well developed canasils
- Sagittal crest well defined
- Mandibular process

Family Phocidae

- Lack post orbital process

Family Mustelidae

- Large slender canines

- Well developed carnasils
- Short rounded mandibles
- Well developed sagittal crest
- Long brain cases
- Short mandibles
- No post orbital bar

Family felidae

- Long slender canines

- Long blade like carnassils
- Tight articulation of mandible
- Round squat skull
- Wide spreading zygomatic arch
- Large forward orbits

Mammology Page 2