Relationships between extant genera of the Mustelidae (Mammalia : Carnivora)

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dc.contributor.advisorRussell, Anthony P.
dc.contributor.authorFitch, Warren David
dc.date.accessioned2005-07-21T22:35:17Z
dc.date.available2005-07-21T22:35:17Z
dc.date.issued1986
dc.descriptionBibliography: p. 120-125.en
dc.description.abstractA comprehensive cladistic analysis of the extant genera of the Family Mustelidae was performed employing, 27 characters based on cranial and dental morphology. The analysis utilized an unrestricted parsimony computer programme (PAUP) and binary characters. A morphometric study of head shape was also performed to identify discriminators between genera. Shape similarities and differences were compared with the phylogenetic hypotheses. The phylogenetic analysis employed the outgroup method to polarize characters. Based on the data set, no autapomorphs were identified for a traditionally recognized family - the Procyonidae. Within the Mustelidae, there appears to be a number of distinct clades. Group I is proposed for the clade containing the musteline and lutrine genera. Within this group, the exact relationship of Enhydra is still_unclear, as is the internal arrangement of the three lutrine genera. The rnustelines contain a wide variety of forms, some of which may not merit separate generic rank (Poecilictis, Vormela and Ictonyx). The second major clade is Group II. The genera included are from three traditionally recoqnized subfamilies (Melinae, Mellivorinae and Mephitinae) which are no longer considered valid. The third clade is the single genus, Melogale. Formerly a part of the subfamily Melinae, it appears, rather, to be the primitive sister group to Group I. The morphornetric analys"is is somewhat inconclusive. Employing a form of discriminant analysis - Canonical Variate Analysis - plots of the "best" combinations of variables (best at discriminating) show three groups. Well separate are the lutrines, incluoing Enhydra. A loose collection of the larger-bodied forms falls in between the lutrines and the last group. The final cluster is composed of the smaller forms. It is proposed that the dense cluster of the small forms represents a small carnivore head morphology possibly constrained by mechanical requirements. Further tests of this proposal, though, are necessary.
dc.format.extentx, 133 leaves ; 30 cm.en
dc.identifier.citationFitch, W. D. (1986). Relationships between extant genera of the Mustelidae (Mammalia : Carnivora) (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/15241en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/15241
dc.identifier.isbn0315326522en
dc.identifier.lccQL 737 C25 F56 1987en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/24332
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.publisher.placeCalgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subject.lccQL 737 C25 F56 1987en
dc.subject.lcshMustelidae
dc.subject.lcshCarnivora
dc.subject.lcshCladistic analysis
dc.subject.lcshPhylogeny
dc.titleRelationships between extant genera of the Mustelidae (Mammalia : Carnivora)
dc.typemaster thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineBiology
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (MSc)
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrue
ucalgary.thesis.accessionTheses Collection 58.002:Box 581 215772184
ucalgary.thesis.notesoffsiteen
ucalgary.thesis.uarcreleaseyen
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