Ferae
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| (unranked): | Ferae
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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]
According to one recent study, 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]
Another study (reflected in the diagram below) found that the closest relatives to Ferae are Perissodactyla and Chiroptera (bats), not Cetartiodactyla.[3] The Ferae together with Perissodactyla have been called Zooamata. The Ferae, Perissodactyla, and Chiroptera together have been called Pegasoferae.
Template:Laurasiatheria Cladogram
References
- ^ Amrine-madsen, H. (2003). "A new phylogenetic marker, apolipoprotein B, provides compelling evidence for eutherian relationships". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 28 (2): 225–240. doi:10.1016/S1055-7903(03)00118-0. Retrieved 2008-04-19.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ BioMed Central | Full text | A higher-level MRP supertree of placental mammals
- ^ Nishihara, H. (2006). "Pegasoferae, an unexpected mammalian clade revealed by tracking ancient retroposon insertions". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 103: 9929. doi:10.1073/pnas.0603797103.