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Mustelidae

(Family)

Overview

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Mustelidae (from Latin mustela, weasel), commonly referred to as the weasel family, are a family of carnivorous mammals. Mustelids are diverse and the largest family in the order Carnivora, at least partly because in the past it has been a catch-all category for many early or poorly differentiated taxa.[] The internal classification seems to be still quite unsettled, with rival proposals containing between two and eight subfamilies. One study published in 2008 questions the long-accepted Mustelinae subfamily, and suggests Mustelidae consists of four major clades and three much smaller lineages.

Variety

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Sthenictis sp. (American Museum of Natural History)

The Mustelidae in general are phylogenetically relatively primitive, so were difficult to classify until genetic evidence became available. The increasing availability of such evidence may well result in some members of the family being moved to their own separate families, as has already happened with the skunks, previously considered to be members of the mustelid family.

Mustelids vary greatly in size and behavior. The least weasel is not much larger than a mouse, while the giant otter can measure up to 2.4 metres (7.9 ft) in total length and sea otters can exceed 45 kilograms (99 lb). The wolverine can crush bones as thick as the femur of a moose to get at the marrow, and has been seen attempting to drive bears away from its kill. The sea otter uses rocks to break open shellfish to eat. The marten is largely arboreal, while the badger digs extensive networks of tunnels, called setts. Some mustelids have been domesticated. The ferret and the tayra are kept as pets (although the tayra requires a Dangerous Wild Animals licence in the UK), or as working animals for hunting or vermin control. Others have been important in the fur trade. The mink is often raised for its fur.

As well as being one of the most species-rich families in the order Carnivora, Mustelidae is one of the oldest. Mustelid-like forms first appeared about 40 million years ago, roughly coinciding with the appearance of rodents. The direct ancestors of the modern mustelids first appeared about 15 million years ago.

Characteristics

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Within a large range of variation, the mustelids exhibit some common characteristics. They are typically small animals with short legs, short, round ears, and thick fur. Most mustelids are solitary, nocturnal animals, and are active year-round.[1]

With t he exception of the sea otter,[2] they have anal scent glands that produce a strong-smelling secretion the animals use for sexual signaling and for marking territory.

Most mustelid reproduction involves embryonic diapause. The embryo does not immediately implant in the uterus, but remains dormant for a period of time. No development takes place as long as the embryo remains unattached to the uterine lining. As a result, the normal gestation period is extended, sometimes up to a year. This allows the young to be born under more favorable environmental conditions. Reproduction has a large energy cost and it is to a female's benefit to have available food and mild weather. The young are more likely to survive if birth occurs after previous offspring have been weaned.

Mustelids are predominantly carnivorous, although some will sometimes eat vegetable matter. While not all mustelids share an identical dentition, they all possess teeth adapted for eating flesh, including the presence of shearing carnassials. With variation between species, the most common dental formula is:[1]

Ecology

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Stoat killing a European rabbit

Several members of the family are aquatic to varying degrees, ranging from the semiaquatic mink, to the river otters, and to the highly aquatic sea otter. The sea otter is one of the few nonprimate mammals known to use a tool while foraging. It uses "anvil" stones to crack open the shellfish that form a significant part of its diet. It is a "keystone species", keeping its prey populations in balance so some do not outcompete the others and they do not destroy the kelp in which they live.

The black-footed ferret is entirely dependent on another keystone species, the prairie dog. A family of four ferrets will eat 250 prairie dogs in a year. The ferrets require a prairie dog colony of 500 acres (2.0 km2) to maintain a stable population to support their predation.

The mongoose and the meerkat bear a striking resemblance to many mustelids, but belong to a distinctly different suborder - the Feliformia (all those carnivores sharing more recent origins with the Felidae) and not the Caniformia (those sharing more recent origins with the Canidae). Because the mongoose and the mustelids occupy similar ecological niches, convergent evolution has led to some similarity in form and behavior.[citation needed]

Human uses

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Detail from Leonardo da Vinci's "Lady with an ermine" (actually a ferret)

Several mustelids, including the mink, the sable (a type of marten) and the stoat (ermine), boast exquisite and valuable furs and have been accordingly hunted since prehistoric times. Since the early Middle Ages, the trade in furs was of great economic importance for northern and eastern European nations with large native populations of fur-bearing mustelids, and was a major economic impetus behind Russian expansion into Siberia and French and English expansion in North America. In recent centuries, fur farming, notably of mink, has also become widespread and provides the majority of the fur brought to market.

One species, the sea mink (Neovison macrodon) of New England and Canada, was driven to extinction by fur trappers. Its appearance and habits are almost unknown today because no complete specimens can be found and no systematic contemporary studies were conducted.

The sea otter, which has the densest fur of any animal,[3] narrowly escaped the fate of the sea mink. The discovery of large populations in the North Pacific was the major economic driving force behind Russian expansion into Kamchatka, the Aleutian Islands and Alaska, as well as a cause for conflict with Japan and foreign hunters in the Kuril Islands. Together with widespread hunting in California and British Columbia, the species was brought to the brink of extinction until an international moratorium came into effect in 1911.

Today, some mustelids are threatened for other reasons. Sea otters are vulnerable to oil spills and the indirect effects of overfishing; the black-footed ferret, a relative of the European polecat, suffers from the loss of American prairie; and wolverine populations are slowly declining because of habitat destruction and persecution. The rare European mink Mustela lutreola is one the most endangered mustelid species.[4]

One mustelid, the domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo), has been domesticated since ancient times, originally for hunting rabbits and pest control.

Systematics

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Genetic analysis suggests the Mustelidae should be divided into eight subfamilies:[5]

The genetic studies on which this scheme was based did not include the genus Lyncodon,[5] which is therefore unplaced, but probably allied with Mustela and Neovison.[6] Older reference works generally suggest the Mustelidae should be divided into just two extant subfamilies, denoted Lutrina e and Mustelinae,[7] although the latter now appears paraphyletic as originally described. Instead, the Mustelidae are now thought to be divided into four major clades and three, much smaller, lineages. The early mustelids appear to have undergone two rapid bursts of diversification in Eurasia, with the resulting species only spreading to other continents later.[5]

Examination of the mitochondrial DNA suggests the Taxidiinae diverged first, followed by the Melinae.[8] Lutrinae and Mustelinae are sister clades. The position of the Helictidinae is unclear because the mitochondrial evidence suggests they are related to Lutrinae-Mustelinae clade but the intron data suggest a relationship to Martinae.

Extant species

According to the older theory proposing two subfamilies, the 57 species of mustelid are classified as:

FAMILY MUSTELIDAE (57 species in 22 genera)

Fossil mustelids

Extinct genera of the Mustelidae family include:

o development takes place as long as the embryo remains unattached to the uterine lining. As a result, the normal gestation period is extended, sometimes up to a year. This allows the young to be born under more favorable environmental conditions. Reproduction has a large energy cost and it is to a female's benefit to have available food and mild weather. The young are more likely to survive if birth occurs after previous offspring have been weaned.

Mustelids are predominantly carnivorous, although some will sometimes eat vegetable matter. While not all mustelids share an identical dentition, they all possess teeth adapted for eating flesh, including the presence of shearing carnassials. With variation between species, the most common dental formula is:[1]

Ecology

[ Back to top ]
Stoat killing a European rabbit

Several members of the family are aquatic to varying degrees, ranging from the semiaquatic mink, to the river otters, and to the highly aquatic sea otter. The sea otter is one of the few nonprimate mammals known to use a tool while foraging. It uses "anvil" stones to crack open the shellfish that form a significant part of its diet. It is a "keystone species", keeping its prey populations in balance so some do not outcompete the others and they do not destroy the kelp in which they live.

The black-footed ferret is entirely dependent on another keystone species, the prairie dog. A family of four ferrets will eat 250 prairie dogs in a year. The ferrets require a prairie dog colony of 500 acres (2.0 km2) to maintain a stable population to support their predation.

The mongoose and the meerkat bear a striking resemblance to many mustelids, but belong to a distinctly different suborder - the Feliformia (all those carnivores sharing more recent origins with the Felidae) and not the Caniformia (those sharing more recent origins with the Canidae). Because the mongoose and the mustelids occupy similar ecological niches, convergent evolution has led to some similarity in form and behavior.[citation needed]

Human uses

[ Back to top ]
Detail from Leonardo da Vinci's "Lady with an ermine" (actually a ferret)

Several mustelids, including the mink, the sable (a type of marten) and the stoat (ermine), boast exquisite and valuable furs and have been accordingly hunted since prehistoric times. Since the early Middle Ages, the trade in furs was of great economic importance for northern and eastern European nations with large native populations of fur-bearing mustelids, and was a major economic impetus behind Russian expansion into Siberia and French and English expansion in North America. In recent centuries, fur farming, notably of mink, has also become widespread and provides the majority of the fur brought to market.

One species, the sea mink (Neovison macrodon) of New England and Canada, was driven to extinction by fur trappers. Its appearance and habits are almost unknown today because no complete specimens can be found and no systematic contemporary studies were conducted.

The sea otter, which has the densest fur of any animal,[3] narrowly escaped the fate of the sea mink. The discovery of large populations in the North Pacific was the major economic driving force behind Russian expansion into Kamchatka, the Aleutian Islands and Alaska, as well as a cause for conflict with Japan and foreign hunters in the Kuril Islands. Together with widespread hunting in California and British Columbia, the species was brought to the brink of extinction until an international moratorium came into effect in 1911.

Today, some mustelids are threatened for other reasons. Sea otters are vulnerable to oil spills and the indirect effects of overfishing; the black-footed ferret, a relative of the European polecat, suffers from the loss of American prairie; and wolverine populations are slowly declining because of habitat destruction and persecution. The rare European mink Mustela lutreola is one the most endangered mustelid species.[4]

One mustelid, the domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo), has been domesticated since ancient times, originally for hunting rabbits and pest control.

Systematics

[ Back to top ]

Genetic analysis suggests the Mustelidae should be divided into eight subfamilies:[5]

The genetic studies on which this scheme was based did not include the genus Lyncodon,[5] which is therefore unplaced, but probably allied with Mustela and Neovison.[6] Older reference works generally suggest the Mustelidae should be divided into just two extant subfamilies, denoted Lutrina e and Mustelinae,[7] although the latter now appears paraphyletic as originally described. Instead, the Mustelidae are now thought to be divided into four major clades and three, much smaller, lineages. The early mustelids appear to have undergone two rapid bursts of diversification in Eurasia, with the resulting species only spreading to other continents later.[5]

Examination of the mitochondrial DNA suggests the Taxidiinae diverged first, followed by the Melinae.[8] Lutrinae and Mustelinae are sister clades. The position of the Helictidinae is unclear because the mitochondrial evidence suggests they are related to Lutrinae-Mustelinae clade but the intron data suggest a relationship to Martinae.

Extant species

According to the older theory proposing two subfamilies, the 57 species of mustelid are classified as:

FAMILY MUSTELIDAE (57 species in 22 genera)

Fossil mustelids

Extinct genera of the Mustelidae family include:

Notes

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  1. ^ a b King, Carolyn (1984). Macdonald, D.. ed. The Encyclopedia of Mammals. New York: Facts on File. pp. 108?109. ISBN 0-87196-871-1. 
  2. ^ Kenyon, Karl W. (1969). The Sea Otter in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. 
  3. ^ Perrin, William F., Wursig, Bernd, and Thewissen, J.G.M. Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, 2nd ed. Academic Press; 2 edition (December 8, 2008). Page 529. [1]
  4. ^ Lod?, Thierry; Cornier, J. P.; Le Jacques, D. (2001). "Decline in endangered species as an indication of anthropic pressures: the case of European mink Mustela lutreola western population". Environmental management 28 (6): 727?735. doi:10.1007/s002670010257. 
  5. ^ a b c Koepfli, Klaus-Peter; Deere, K.A.; Slater, G.J.; Begg, C.; Begg, K.; Grassman, L.; Lucherini, M.; Veron, G. et al (February 2008). "Multigene phylogeny of the Mustelidae: Resolving relationships, tempo and biogeographic history of a mammalian adaptive radiation". BMC Biology 6: 10. doi:10.1186/1741-7007-6-10. PMC 2276185. PMID 18275614. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7007/6/10. 
  6. ^ Wilson, D.E. & Mittermeier, R.A., ed. (2009). Handbook of the Mammals of the World, vol. 1. Barcelona: Lynx Ediciones. p. 656. ISBN 978-84-96553-49-1. 
  7. ^ "Wilson & Reeder's Mammal Species of the World, Third Edition". http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/browse.asp?id=14001075. Retrieved 2008-07-31. 
  8. ^ Yu L, Peng D, Liu J, Luan P, Liang L, Lee H, Lee M, Ryder OA, Zhang Y (2011). "On the phylogeny of Mustelidae subfamilies: analysis of seventeen nuclear non-coding loci and mitochondrial complete genomes". BMC Evol Biol 11 (1): 92. doi:10.1186/1471-2148-11-92. 

Taxonomy

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The Family Mustelidae is further organized into finer groupings including:

Genera

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Acheronictis

[more]

Aelurocyon

[more]

Amblonyx

The oriental small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinerea), also known as Asian small-clawed otter, is the smallest otter species in the world, weighing less than 5 kg. It lives in mangrove swamps and freshwater wetlands of Bangladesh, Burma, India, southern China, Taiwan, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. This otter is distinctive for its forepaws, as the claws do not extend above the fleshy end pads of its toes and fingers. These attributes give it a high degree of manual dexterity in using its paws to feed on molluscs, crabs and other small aquatic animals. [more]

Amphicticeps

[more]

Aonyx

Aonyx is a genus of otters, containing two species, the African Clawless Otter and the Oriental Small-clawed Otter. The word 'Aonyx' means 'clawless', derived from the prefix 'a-' (not) and 'onyx' (claw/hoof). [more]

Arctomeles

[more]

Arctonyx

The hog badger (Arctonyx collaris) is a terrestrial species of the mustelid family. It has medium-length brown hair, stocky body, white throat, two black stripes on an elongated white face and a pink, pig-like snout. The head-and-body length is 55?70 cm (22?28 in), the tail measures 12?17 cm (4.7?6.7 in) and the body weight is 7?14 kg (15?31 lb). It is monotypic within the genus Arctonyx. [more]

Baranogale

[more]

Beckia

[more]

Brachypsalis

[more]

Brachypsaloides

[more]

Canimartes

[more]

Cernictis

[more]

Chamitaxus

[more]

Circamustela

[more]

Dinogale

[more]

Eira

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[1] [more]

Enhydra

Enhydra is the genus of the sea otter (Enhydra lutris). [more]

Enhydrictis

[more]

Enhydriodon

[more]

Enhydritherium

[more]

Eomellivora

[more]

Ferinestrix

Galictis

The grison, also known as the South American glutton, is a neotropical mustelid of South America. Comprising the genus Galictis, it is divided into two species: the greater grison (Galictis vittata), which is found widely in South America, through Central America to southern Mexico; and the lesser grison (Galictis cuja), which is restricted to the southern half of South America. In Spanish it is referred to as a huroncito (literally "little ferret") or gris?n and in Portuguese as a fur?o.[] [more]

Gulo

The wolverine, pronounced , Gulo gulo (Gulo is Latin for "glutton"), also referred to as glutton, carcajou, skunk bear, or quickhatch, is the largest land-dwelling species of the family Mustelidae (weasels). It is a stocky and muscular carnivore, more closely resembling a small bear than other mustelids. The wolverine has a reputation for ferocity and strength out of proportion to its size, with the documented ability to kill prey many times its size. [more]

Helictis

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[2] [more]

Hoplictis

Hypsoparia

Ictonyx

Ictonyx is a genus in the family (weasels). It contains two species: [more]

Leptarctus

Lontra

Lontra is a genus of from the American continent. [more]

Lutra

Lutra is a genus of otters. [more]

Lutravus

Lutrogale

Lutrogale is a genus of , with only one extant species - the smooth-coated otter. [more]

Lyncodon

The Patagonian Weasel (Lyncodon patagonicus) is a small that is the only member of the genus Lyncodon. Its geographic range is the Pampas of western Argentina and sections of Chile. An early mention of the animal is in the Journal of Syms Covington, who sailed with Charles Darwin on his epic voyage aboard the HMS Beagle. [more]

Martes

The martens constitute the genus Martes within the subfamily Mustelinae, in family Mustelidae. [more]

Megalenhydris

[more]

Megalictis

Meles

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[3] [more]

Mellalictis

Mellivora

The honey badger (Mellivora capensis), also known as the ratel, is a species of mustelid native to Africa, Southwest Asia, and the Indian Subcontinent. Despite its name, the honey badger does not closely resemble other badger species, instead it bears more anatomical similarities to weasels. It is classed as Least Concern by the IUCN owing to its extensive range and general environmental adaptations. It is primarily a carnivorous species, and has few natural predators because of its thick skin and ferocious defensive abilities. [more]

Melogale

Ferret-badgers are the four species of of the genus Melogale. [more]

Miomustela

Mionictis

[more]

Mustela

Weasels () are mammals forming the genus Mustela of the Mustelidae family. They are small, active predators, long and slender with short legs. [more]

Neovison

Nesolutra

Oligobunis

Palaeogale

Pannonictis

[more]

Paralutra

[more]

Plesictis

Plesiogulo

Plionictis

Pliotaxidea

Poecilictis

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[4] [more]

Poecilogale

The African striped weasel (Poecilogale albinucha), the lone member of genus Poecilogale, is a small black and white weasel native to sub-Saharan Africa. It looks very much like a striped polecat, but it is much thinner and has shorter hair. It is a sleek, black color with a white tail and four white stripes running down its back. It is 50 centimetres (20 inches) in length on average, including its tail of 20 centimetres (7.9 inches). [more]

Potamotherium

Promartes

Proputorius

[more]

Protarctos

Pteronura

The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. It is the longest member of the Mustelidae, or weasel family, a globally successful group of predators. Unusual for a mustelid, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. The groups are centered on a dominant breeding pair and are extremely cohesive and cooperative. Although generally peaceful, the species is territorial, and aggression has been observed between groups. The giant otter is diurnal, being active exclusively during daylight hours. It is the noisiest otter species, and distinct vocalizations have been documented that indicate alarm, aggressiveness, and reassurance. The giant otter ranges across north-central South America; it lives mostly in and along the Amazon River and in the Pantanal. [more]

Putorius

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[5] [more]

Satherium

Semantor

[more]

Sivaonyx

Sminthosinis

Sthenictis

Stromeriella

Suillotaxus

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[6] [more]

Taxidea

The American badger (Taxidea taxus) is a North American badger, somewhat similar in appearance to the European badger. It is found in the western and central United States, northern Mexico and central Canada, as well as in certain areas of southwestern British Columbia. [more]

Taxodon

Tayra

The tayra (Eira barbara), also known as the tolomuco or perico ligero in Central America, and san hol or viejo de monte in the Yucatan Peninsula is an omnivorous animal from the weasel family Mustelidae. It is the only species in the genus Eira. There are at least nine known subspecies. [more]

Trigonictis

Trocharion

Trochictis

[more]

Trochotherium

Vormela

The marbled polecat (V. peregusna) is a small mammal belonging to the monotypic genus Vormela within the Mustelinae subfamily. Vormela is from the German word W?rmlein,[1] which means "little Worm". The term peregusna comes from perehuznya, which is Ukrainian for polecat.[2] Marbled polecats are generally found in the dryer areas and grasslands of south-eastern Europe to western China. Like other members of Mustelinae, it can emit a strong smelling secretion from anal sacs under the tail when threatened. [more]

Zodiolestes

More info about the Genus Zodiolestes may be found here.

References

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  1. ^ "A Skunk By Any Other Name…". Dragoo Institute for the Betterment of Skunks and Skunk Reputations. http://www.dragoo.org/Mephitidae.html. Retrieved on 2007-02-26. 
  2. ^ a b King, Carolyn (1984). Macdonald, D.. ed. The Encyclopedia of Mammals. New York: Facts on File. pp. 108–109. ISBN 0-87196-871-1. 
  3. ^ Kenyon, Karl W. (1969). The Sea Otter in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. 
  4. ^ Dragoo and Honeycutt (1997). "Systematics of Mustelid-like Carnvores". Journal of Mammalology 78 (2): 426–443. doi:10.2307/1382896. 
  5. ^ Online Biology Glossary
  6. ^ Brown Mammal & Otter Information
  7. ^ "Mammal Species of the World, Third Edition". http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/browse.asp?id=14001075. Retrieved on 2008-07-31. 
  8. ^ Koepfli, Klaus-Peter (February 2008), "Multigene phy logeny of the Mustelidae: Resolving relationships, tempo and biogeographic history of a mammalian adaptive radiation", BMC Biology 6: 10, doi:10.1186/1741-7007-6-10, http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7007/6/10 

Footnotes

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  1. http://www.ubio.org/browser/details.php?namebankID=105634
  2. http://www.ubio.org/browser/details.php?namebankID=112831
  3. http://www.ubio.org/browser/details.php?namebankID=105607
  4. http://www.ubio.org/browser/details.php?namebankID=113339
  5. http://www.ubio.org/browser/details.php?namebankID=113401
  6. http://www.ubio.org/browser/details.php?namebankID=113514
  1. ^ a b King, Carolyn (1984). Macdonald, D.. ed. The Encyclopedia of Mammals. New York: Facts on File. pp. 108?109. ISBN 0-87196-871-1. 
  2. ^ Kenyon, Karl W. (1969). The Sea Otter in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. 
  3. ^ Perrin, William F., Wursig, Bernd, and Thewissen, J.G.M. Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, 2nd ed. Academic Press; 2 edition (December 8, 2008). Page 529. [1]
  4. ^ Lod?, Thierry; Cornier, J. P.; Le Jacques, D. (2001). "Decline in endangered species as an indication of anthropic pressures: the case of European mink Mustela lutreola western population". Environmental management 28 (6): 727?735. doi:10.1007/s002670010257. 
  5. ^ a b c Koepfli, Klaus-Peter; Deere, K.A.; Slater, G.J.; Begg, C.; Begg, K.; Grassman, L.; Lucherini, M.; Veron, G. et al (February 2008). "Multigene phylogeny of the Mustelidae: Resolving relationships, tempo and biogeographic history of a mammalian adaptive radiation". BMC Biology 6: 10. doi:10.1186/1741-7007-6-10. PMC 2276185. PMID 18275614. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7007/6/10. 
  6. ^ Wilson, D.E. & Mittermeier, R.A., ed. (2009). Handbook of the Mammals of the World, vol. 1. Barcelona: Lynx Ediciones. p. 656. ISBN 978-84-96553-49-1. 
  7. ^ "Wilson & Reeder's Mammal Species of the World, Third Edition". http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/browse.asp?id=14001075. Retrieved 2008-07-31. 
  8. ^ Yu L, Peng D, Liu J, Luan P, Liang L, Lee H, Lee M, Ryder OA, Zhang Y (2011). "On the phylogeny of Mustelidae subfamilies: analysis of seventeen n uclear non-coding loci and mitochondrial complete genomes". BMC Evol Biol 11 (1): 92. doi:10.1186/1471-2148-11-92. 

Further Reading

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Sources

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Last Revised: August 24, 2012
2012/08/24 13:36:40