Abstract

MORALES-MEJIA, Fabiola Montserrat  and  ARROYO-CABRALES, Joaquín. Comparative study of some limb elements for Felidae and Canidae families (Mammalia, Carnivora). TIP [online]. 2012, vol.15, n.2, pp.75-84. ISSN 1405-888X.

This comparative osteological study provides an overview of the differences that exist between some limb elements of the postcranial skeleton of two carnivore families (Mammalia, Carnivora), Canidae and Felidae. We used 42 specimens belonging to the two families, including juvenile, adult and old individuals, stored in various osteological Mexican collections. Morphological differences were found between families. The phalanges, metacarpals, metatarsals and tarsals of the Canidae are long and narrow whereas those in Felidae are short and wide.

Keywords : Canids; elements of the limbs; felines; comparative osteology.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )