Craniodental indicators of prey size preference in the Felidae

摘要: In the present study, we used linear morphometrics of crania, mandible and dentition to explore association between craniodental shape prey size among 35 species living felids. To accomplish this, felids were divided into three prey-size groups: (1) large specialists; (2) small (3) mixed feeders. From these measurements, specialist can be distinguished from feeders by their relatively robust canines incisors wide muzzles. These cranial characters are advantageous when dispatching prey, due stranglehold that cats employ during this activity. Robust resist bending torsional forces applied struggling a wider muzzle helps stabilize grip distribute bite more evenly killing bite. Small specialists had smaller canines, narrower muzzles slightly longer jaws for speed advantage catching small, quick prey. Mixed intermediate specialists, indicating they adapted both sizes Given success ecomorphological analysis specialize on different sizes, look forward applying same approach extinct species. © 2009 The Linnean Society London, Biological Journal Society, 2009, 96, 784–799.