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Encyclopedia > Mammal classification

Mammalia is a class of animal within the Phylum Chordata. Mammal classification has been through several iterations since Carolus Linnaeus initially defined the class. Many earlier ideas have been completely abandoned by modern taxonomists, among these are the idea that bats are related to birds or that humans represent a completely distinct group. Competing ideas about the relationships of mammal orders do persist and are currently in development. Most significantly in recent years, cladistic thinking has led to an effort to ensure that all taxonomic designations represent monophyletic groups. The field has also seen a recent surge in interest and modification due to the results of molecular phylogenetics. Orders Subclass Monotremata Monotremata Subclass Marsupialia Didelphimorphia Paucituberculata Microbiotheria Dasyuromorphia Peramelemorphia Notoryctemorphia Diprotodontia Subclass Placentalia Xenarthra Dermoptera Desmostylia Scandentia Primates Rodentia Lagomorpha Insectivora Chiroptera Pholidota Carnivora Perissodactyla Artiodactyla Cetacea Afrosoricida Macroscelidea Tubulidentata Hyracoidea Proboscidea Sirenia The mammals are the class of vertebrate animals primarily characterized by the presence of mammary... Typical Classes Subphylum Urochordata - Tunicates Ascidiacea Thaliacea Larvacea Subphylum Cephalochordata - Lancelets Subphylum Myxini - Hagfishes Subphylum Vertebrata - Vertebrates Petromyzontida - Lampreys Placodermi (extinct) Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes Acanthodii (extinct) Actinopterygii - Ray-finned fishes Actinistia - Coelacanths Dipnoi - Lungfishes Amphibia - Amphibians Reptilia - Reptiles Aves - Birds Mammalia - Mammals Chordates (phylum Chordata) include the vertebrates, together with... Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as  , (May 23, 1707 – January 10, 1778), was a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist[1] who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of nomenclature. ... Suborders Megachiroptera Microchiroptera See text for families. ... Aves redirects here. ... Trinomial name Homo sapiens sapiens Linnaeus, 1758 Humans, or human beings, are bipedal apes belonging to the mammalian species Homo sapiens (Latin for wise man or knowing man) under the family Hominidae (known as the great apes). ... This cladogram shows the relationship among various insect groups. ... In phylogenetics, a group is monophyletic (Greek: of one stem) if all organisms in that group are known to have developed from a common ancestral form, and all descendants of that form are included in the group. ... Molecular phylogeny is the use of the structure of molecules to gain information on an organisms evolutionary relationships. ...


George Gaylord Simpson's classic "Principles of Classification and a Classification of Mammals" (Simpson, 1945) was the original source for the taxonomy listed here. Simpson laid out a systematics of mammal origins and relationships that was universally taught until the end of the 20th century. George Gaylord Simpson (June 16, 1902 - October 6, 1984) was an American paleontologist. ... Look up taxonomy in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... In biology, systematics is the study of the diversity of organism characteristics, and especially how they relate evolutionarily. ... Subclasses Allotheria* Order Multituberculata (extinct) Order Volaticotheria (extinct) Order Palaeoryctoides (extinct) Order Triconodonta (extinct) Prototheria Order Monotremata Theria Infraclass Marsupialia Infraclass Eutheria The mammals are the class of vertebrate animals characterized by the production of milk in females for the nourishment of young, from mammary glands present on most species... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999...


Since Simpson's 1945 classification, the paleontological record has been recalibrated, and the intervening years have seen much debate and progress concerning the theoretical underpinnings of systematization itself, partly through the new concept of cladistics. Though field work gradually made Simpson's classification outdated, it remained the closest thing to an official classification of mammals. For other uses, see Scientific classification (disambiguation). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Fossil. ... This cladogram shows the relationship among various insect groups. ...

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Molecular classification of mammals

Molecular studies by molecular systematists, based on DNA analysis, have revealed new relationships among mammal families over the last few years. The most recent classification systems based on molecular studies reveal four groups or lineages of placental mammals which diverged from early common ancestors in the Cretaceous. The structure of part of a DNA double helix. ... Orders Afrosoricida Macroscelidea Tubulidentata Hyracoidea Proboscidea Sirenia Xenarthra Dermoptera: Scandentia Primates Rodentia Lagomorpha Insectivora Chiroptera Pholidota Carnivora Perissodactyla Artiodactyla Cetacea Placentalia and Eutheria are terms used to describe major groupings within the animal class of Mammalia. ... The Cretaceous Period is one of the major divisions of the geologic timescale, reaching from the end of the Jurassic Period (i. ...


The first divergence was that of the Afrotheria 110–100 million years ago (mya). The Afrotheria proceeded to evolve and diversify in the isolation of the African-Arabian continent. The Xenarthra, isolated in South America, diverged from the Boreoeutheria approximately 100–95 mya. The Boreoeutheria split into the Laurasiatheria and Euarchontoglires between 95 and 85 mya; both of these groups evolved on the northern continent of Laurasia. Afrotheria are a clade of mammals with the rank of cohort, that has been proposed based on DNA analysis. ... Mega-annum, usually abbreviated as Ma, is a unit of time equal to one million years. ... Orders and suborders Order Pilosa Suborder Vermilingua Suborder Folivora Order Cingulata See text for more details The superorder Xenarthra is a group of placental mammals (infraclass Eutheria), extant today only in the Americas. ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... Boreoeutheria (synonymous with Boreotheria) is a clade that is composed of the sister taxa Laurasiatheria and Euarchontoglires (Supraprimates). ... Laurasiatheria is a proposed clade with the rank of cohort or super-order, of the Epitheria infraclass of the Placentalia (living) or Eutheria (Placentals and their extinct ancestors) subclass of Mammals, based on molecular and DNA research It is a sister group to Euarchontoglires. ... Orders Glires Rodentia Lagomorpha Euarchonta Dermoptera Scandentia Primates The Euarchontoglires are a mammalian superorder based on molecular genetic research, combining the Glires clade, which consists of the Rodentia and the Lagomorpha, with that of the Euarchonta, a clade consisting of the Scandentia, the Primates and the Dermoptera. ... Laurasia was a supercontinent that most recently existed as a part of the split of the Pangaean supercontinent in the late Mesozoic era. ...


After tens of millions of years of relative isolation, Africa-Arabia collided with Eurasia, and the formation of the Isthmus of Panama linked South America and North America, facilitating the distribution of mammals seen today. With the exception of bats and murine rodents, no placental land mammals reached Australasia until the first human settlers arrived approximately 50,000 years ago. The Isthmus of Panama. ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... World map showing North America A satellite composite image of North America. ... Genera See text. ... Australasia Australasia is a term variably used to describe a region of Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, and neighbouring islands in the Pacific Ocean. ...


It should however be noted that these molecular results are still controversial mainly because they are not reflected by morphological data and thus not accepted by many systematists. It is also important to note that fossil taxa are not and, in most cases cannot, be included. Although there are instances of DNA being recovered from prehistoric mammals such as the ground sloth Mylodon and Neanderthal humans, Homo neanderthalensis, fossils can generally only be incorporated in morphological analyses. Comparative anatomy is the study of similarities and differences in organisms. ... Families Rathymotheriidae Scelidotheriidae Mylodontidae Orophodontidae Megalonychidae Megatheriidae Ground sloths are extinct edentate (Order Xenarthra) mammals that are believed to be relatives of tree sloths and three-toed sloths. ... The Mylodon was a smaller breed of ground sloth, approximately ox-sized, related to the Megatherium and modern three-toed sloths and two-toed sloths. ... Binomial name †Homo neanderthalensis King, 1864 Synonyms Palaeoanthropus neanderthalensis The Neanderthal (IPA pronunciation: ), (Homo neanderthalensis) or Neandertal was a species of the Homo genus that inhabited Europe and parts of western Asia. ...


The following taxonomy only includes living placentals (infraclass Eutheria): Eutheria is a taxon (specifically, an infraclass) nearly synonymous with Placentalia, containing the placental mammals and the nearest ancestors of placental mammals (which are known only from the fossil record). ...


Group I: Afrotheria

Afrotheria are a clade of mammals with the rank of cohort, that has been proposed based on DNA analysis. ... Genera  Rhynchocyon  Petrodromus  Macroscelides  Elephantulus The small insectivorous mammals endemic to Africa known as elephant shrews are neither elephants nor shrews and, more formally, are the members of the biological order Macroscelidea. ... Genera  Rhynchocyon  Petrodromus  Macroscelides  Elephantulus The small insectivorous mammals endemic to Africa known as elephant shrews are neither elephants nor shrews and, more formally, are the members of the biological order Macroscelidea. ... Families  Chrysochloridae  Tenrecidae The order Afrosoricida (also known as Tenrecomorpha) contains two families of small mammals that are possibly a part of the traditional order Insectivora. ... Subfamilies  Geogalinae  Potamogalinae  Oryzorictinae  Tenrecinae Tenrecidae (common name tenrecs) is a family of mammals found on Madagascar and parts of western Africa. ... Genera  Eremitalpa  Chrysospalax  Chrysochloris  Cryptochloris  Carpitalpa  Chlorotalpa  Calcochloris  Amblysomus  Neamblysomus Golden moles are small, insectivorous burrowing mammals native to southern Africa. ... This article is about the mammal. ... This article is about the mammal. ... Paenungulata is a superorder that groups some remarkable mammals constituting three orders: Proboscidea (Elephants) Sirenia (Sea cows and manatees) Hyracoidea (Hyraxes, such as the African Rock Hyrax, Procavia habessinica) All three still exist but the Paenungulata once had at least two additional orders, namely: Embrithopoda Desmostylia Both of these were... Groups Jozaria (extinct) Anthracobunidae (extinct) Moeritheriidae (extinct) Euproboscidea Numidotheriidae (extinct) Barytheriidae (extinct) Deinotheriidae (extinct) Elephantiformes Phiomiidae (extinct) Palaeomastodontidae (extinct) Hemimastodontidae (extinct) Euelephantoidea Choerolophodontidae (extinct) Amebelodontidae (extinct) Gnathabelodontidae (extinct) Gomphotheriidae (extinct) Elephantidae Mammutidae (extinct) Proboscidea is an order containing only one family of living animals, Elephantidae, the elephants, with three species... Genera and Species Loxodonta Loxodonta cyclotis Loxodonta africana Elephas Elephas maximus Proboscidea is an order including only one extant family, Elephantidae or the elephants, with three species: the Savannah Elephant and Forest Elephant (which were collectively known as the African Elephant), and the Asian Elephant (formerly known as the Indian... Genera  Procavia  Heterohyrax  Dendrohyrax A hyrax is any of about 11 species of fairly small, thickset, herbivorous mammals in the order Hyracoidea. ... Genera  Procavia  Heterohyrax  Dendrohyrax A hyrax is any of about 11 species of fairly small, thickset, herbivorous mammals in the order Hyracoidea. ... Families Dugongidae Trichechidae Hydrochichus (extinct) For information about the Gothic metal band, see Sirenia (band) The Sirenia are fully aquatic, herbivorous mammals that inhabit rivers, estuaries and coastal marine waters. ... Binomial name Dugong dugon (Müller, 1776) Dugongs (Dugong dugon) are the smallest members of the order Sirenia (which also includes the manatees ). Adults are generally less than 3 meters long. ... Species Trichechus inunguis Trichechus manatus Trichechus senegalensis Manatees (family Trichechidae, genus Trichechus) are large aquatic mammals sometimes known as sea cows. ...

Group II: Xenarthra

Orders and suborders Order Pilosa Suborder Vermilingua Suborder Folivora Order Cingulata See text for more details The superorder Xenarthra is a group of placental mammals (infraclass Eutheria), extant today only in the Americas. ... Orders and suborders Order Pilosa Suborder Vermilingua Suborder Folivora Order Cingulata See text for more details The superorder Xenarthra is a group of placental mammals (infraclass Eutheria), extant today only in the Americas. ... Genera Chlamyphorus Cabassous Chaetophractus Dasypus Euphractus Priodontes Tolypeutes Zaedyus Armadillos are any of several small mammals of the family Dasypodidae, mostly known for having a bony armor shell. ... Genera Myrmecophaga Tamandua Cyclopes Anteaters are mammals of the order Xenarthra and the family Myrmecophagidae, commonly known for eating ants and termites. ... Families Megalonychidae Bradypodidae Sloths are medium-sized South American mammals belonging to the families Megalonychidae and Bradypodidae, part of the order Xenarthra. ... Families Megalonychidae Bradypodidae Sloths are medium-sized South American mammals belonging to the families Megalonychidae and Bradypodidae, part of the order Xenarthra. ...

Clade Boreoeutheria

Boreoeutheria (synonymous with Boreotheria) is a clade that is composed of the sister taxa Laurasiatheria and Euarchontoglires (Supraprimates). ...

Group III Euarchontoglires

Orders Glires Rodentia Lagomorpha Euarchonta Dermoptera Scandentia Primates The Euarchontoglires are a mammalian superorder based on molecular genetic research, combining the Glires clade, which consists of the Rodentia and the Lagomorpha, with that of the Euarchonta, a clade consisting of the Scandentia, the Primates and the Dermoptera. ... Orders  Dermoptera  Scandentia  Primates The term Euarchonta first appeared in the general scientific literature in 1999, when molecular evidence suggested that the morphology-based Archonta be trimmed down to exclude Chiroptera. ... Genera Tupaia Anathana Urogale Dendrogale Lyonogale Ptilocercus The tree shrews are small, squirrel-like mammals native to the tropical forests of South-east Asia. ... Species  Cynocephalus varigatus  Cynocephalus volans Colugos are arboreal gliding mammals found in South-east Asia. ... Species  Cynocephalus varigatus  Cynocephalus volans Colugos are arboreal gliding mammals found in South-east Asia. ... For the ecclesiastical use of this term, see primate (religion) Families 13, See classification A primate is any member of the biological order Primates, the group that contains all lemurs, monkeys, and apes, including humans. ... A cosmopolitan distribution is a term applied to a biological category of living things meaning that this category can be found anywhere around the world. ... Genera Cheirogaleus Microcebus Mirza Allocebus Phaner Cheirogaleidae is the family strepsirrhine primates that contains the various dwarf lemurs and mouse-lemurs. ... Genera Lemur Eulemur Hapalemur Prolemur Varecia Lemuridae is one of the four families of lemurs and are part of a class of primates known as prosimians. ... Species Lepilemur mustelinus Lepilemur microdon Lepilemur leucopus Lepilemur ruficaudatus Lepilemur edwardsi Lepilemur dorsalis Lepilemur septentrionalis Lepilemur seali Lepilemur mitsinjonensis The sportive lemurs are the medium sized primates that make up the Lepilemuridae family. ... Genera The Indriidae (also spelled Indridae) are a family of strepsirrhine primates. ... Binomial name Daubentonia madagascariensis Gmelin, 1788 The Aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) is a primate native to Madagascar that combines rodent-like teeth with a long, thin middle finger to fill the ecological niche of a woodpecker. ... Genera Arctocebus Perodicticus Pseudopotto Loris Nycticebus Lorisidae (or sometimes Loridae) is a family of strepsirrhine primates. ... Genera  Otolemur  Euoticus  Galago Galagos, also known as bushbabies or bush babies, are small, nocturnal primates native to continental Africa, and make up the family Galagonidae. ... Species Tarsius syrichta Tarsius bancanus Tarsius spectrum Tarsius dianae Tarsius pelengensis Tarsius sangirensis Tarsius pumilus Tarsiers (family Tarsiidae, genus Tarsius) are a genus of prosimian primates, previously classified as strepsirhines, but now classified as haplorhines, though still not considered to be monkeys. ... Genera Callithrix Leontopithecus Saguinus Callimico The Hapalinae are a subfamily within the family Cebidae, one of the four families of New World monkeys. ... Genera Callithrix Leontopithecus Saguinus Callimico Cebus Saimiri The Cebidae form one of the four families of New World monkeys now recognised. ... Subfamilies Cercopithecinae - 11 genera Colobinae - 9 genera The Old World monkeys or Cercopithecidae are a group of primates, falling in the superfamily Cercopithecoidea in the clade Catarrhini. ... Species 14 species, see text Gibbons are small apes that are traditionally grouped in the genus Hylobates. ... Genera The hominids are the members of the biological family Hominidae (the great apes), which includes humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans. ... Orders Rodentia Lagomorpha Glires is a proposed clade consisting of rodents and lagomorphs (rabbits, hares, and pikas). ... Families The Lagomorphs, order Lagomorpha, are an order of mammals of which there are two families, Leporidae (hares and rabbits), and Ochotonidae (pikas). ... Families Many, see text The order Rodentia is the most numerous of all the branches on the mammal family tree. ... Binomial name Aplodontia rufa (Richardson, 1829) The mountain beaver (Aplodontia rufa) is a rodent unrelated to beavers and that is not usually found in mountainous areas. ... Genera Many: see text. ... Dormice are a type of rodent indigenous to the eastern hemisphere comprising the family Gliridae. ... Genera †Eocastoroides †Steneofiber †Neatocastor †Asiacastor †Youngofiber †Trogontherium †Eucastor †Schreuderia †Dipoides †Boreofiber †Romanocastor †Zamolxifiber †Procastoroides †Castoroides †Paradipoides †Agnotocastor †Capacikala †Pseudopalaeocastor †Fossorcastor †Euhapsis †Propalaeocastor †Palaeomys †Palaeocastor †Hystricops Castor The family Castoridae contains the two living species of beaver and their fossil relatives. ... Genera see text The pocket gophers are burrowing rodents of the family Geomyidae. ... SubFamilies Dipodomyinae Heteromyinae Perognathinae Most Heteromyidae live in complex burrows within the deserts and grasslands of western North America, though species within the Heteromys and Liomys genera are also found in forests and extend down as far as northern South America. ... Genera 10 genera in 5 subfamilies A jerboa is a small jumping desert rodent of Asia and northern Africa that resembles a mouse with a long tufted tail and very long hind legs. ... Genera see text Platacanthomyinae is the only subfamily in the family Platacanthomyidae. ... Subfamilies see text Spalacidae is a family of rodents in the large and complex superfamily Muroidea. ... Species see text Mouse-like hamsters are a group of small rodents found in Syria, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan. ... Subfamilies see text Nesomyidae is a family of rodents in the large and complex superfamily Muroidea. ... Subfamilies see text Cricetidae is a family of rodents in the large and complex superfamily Muroidea. ... Subfamilies Deomyinae Gerbillinae Lophiomyinae Murinae Muridae is the largest family of mammals. ... Genera Anomalurus, Idiurus, Zenkerella The Anomaluridae or scaly-tailed flying squirrels are a family of rodents found in central Africa. ... ... Genera Ctenodactylus Felovia Massoutiera Pectinator Gundis (family Ctenodactylidae) are a group of small, stocky rodents found in Africa. ... Genera  Atherurus  Hystrix  Thecurus  Trichys The Old World porcupines are large representatives of the terrestrial rodent mammals, distinguished by their spiny covering from which they take their name. ... Genera Georychus Cryptomys Heliophobius Bathyergus Heterocephalus The blesmols, also known as mole rats, or African mole-rats, are burrowing rodents of the family Bathyergidae. ... Binomial name Petromus typicus , The Dassie Rat, Petromus typicus, is an African rodent found among rocky outcroppings. ... Species Thryonomys gregorianus (Lesser Cane Rat) Thryonomys swinderianus (Greater Cane Rat) The genus Thryonomys, also know as cane rats, is a genus of rodent found in Africa south of the Sahara. ... Genera  Coendou  Sphiggurus  Erethizon  Echinoprocta The New World porcupines are large terrestrial rodents, distinguished by their spiny covering from which they take their name. ... Genera  Chinchilla  Lagidium  Lagostomus Chinchillas and their relatives viscachas are small, nocturnal mammals native to the Andes mountains in South America and belonging to the family Chinchillidae. ... The pacarana (Dinomys branickii) is a rare and slow-moving South American rodent found only in tropical forests of the western Amazon River basin and adjacent foothills of the Andes Mountains from northwestern Venezuela and Colombia to western Bolivia. ... Subfamilies  Caviinae  Dolichotinae The Cavy (family Caviidae) is divided in two subfamilies: Subfamily Caviinae: cavies and guinea pigs Genus Cavia, this genus is especially called cavy. ... Genera Dasyprocta Myoprocta Agouti The Dasyproctidae are a family of South American rodents, comprising three genera. ... Genera Dasyprocta Myoprocta Agouti The Dasyproctidae are a family of South American rodents, comprising three genera. ... The tuco-tucos are members of a group of rodents that belong to the family Ctenomyidae. ... Genera  Octodon  Octodontomys  Octomys  Spalacopus  Aconaemys  Pipanacoctomys  Salinoctomys  Tympanoctomys The Octodontidae are a family of South American rodents. ... Species Abrocoma bennettii Abrocoma boliviensis Abrocoma cinerea Chinchilla Rats are members of the Abrocoma genus that resemble Chinchillas (to which they are closely related) in appearance but have a body-structure more like a rat. ... Genera †Cercomys †Maruchito †Paulacoutomys †Willidewu †Adelphomys †Deseadomys †Paradelphomys †Stichomys †Xylechimys Dactylomys Kannabateomys Olallamys †Boromys †Brotomys †Heteropsomys †Puertoricomys †Acarechimys †Chasichimys †Eumysops Lonchothrix Mesomys †Palaeoechimys †Pampamys †Pattersomys †Protacaremys †Protadelphomys †Sallamys Proechimys Thrichomys Trinomys Carterodon Clyomys Euryzygomatomys Callistomys Diplomys Echimys Isothrix Makalata Pattonomys Phyllomys Santamartamys The spiny rats are a group of hystricognath... Hutias The Bahamas Hutia - Geocapromys ingrahami, is a herbivorouss rodent until recently only found on remote East Plana Cay. ... Binomial name Myocastor coypus (Molina, 1782) The Coypu (Myocastor coypus) or Nutria is a large, crepuscular, semiaquatic rodent native to South America, but now also present in Europe, Asia, and North America. ...

Group IV: Laurasiatheria

Laurasiatheria is a proposed clade with the rank of cohort or super-order, of the Epitheria infraclass of the Placentalia (living) or Eutheria (Placentals and their extinct ancestors) subclass of Mammals, based on molecular and DNA research It is a sister group to Euarchontoglires. ... Families Erinaceidae Soricidae Talpidae Solenodontidae The biological order Insectivora in the past was used as a scrapbasket for a variety of small to very small, relatively unspecialized, insectivorous mammals. ... Genera Atopogale Solenodon Species Atopogale cubana Solenodon paradoxus Solenodon marcanoi (extinct) The family Solenodontidae are nocturnal, burrowing, insectivorous mammals. ... Subfamily Erinaceinae Hylomyinae Erinaceidae is a family in the order of the Insectivora. ... This article is about the animal; see also The Taming of the Shrew for the use of this term to describe a person. ... Genera Uropsilus Desmana Galemys Talpa Mogera Parascaptor Scaptochirus Scaptonyx Scapanulus Urotrichus Neurotrichus Scalopus Parascalops Scapanus Condylura For other meanings, see Mole (disambiguation). ... This article is about mammals. ... Large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) Megabats constitute the suborder Megachiroptera within the order Chiroptera ( bats). ... Horseshoe bats (family Rhinolophidae) are a large family of bats including approximately 130 species grouped in 10 genera. ... Genera Balantiopteryx Centronycteris Coleura Cormura Cyttarops Diclidurus Emballonura Mosia Peropteryx Rhynchonycteris Saccolaimus Saccopteryx Taphozous The sac-winged or sheath-tailed bats constitute a family, Emballonuridae, of 47 species of bats. ... The Bumblebee Bat or perhaps more correctly Kittis Hog-nosed Bat, (Craseonycteris thonglongyai) is the worlds smallest species of bat at 29-33 mm in length and a weight of 2 grams (about as much as a dime). ... Species Mouse-tailed bats are a group of insectivorous bats of the family Rhinopomatidae with only three species contained in the since genus Rhinopoma. ... Nycteridae is the family of slit-faced or hollow-faced bats. ... Reference in Borneo Hall LS, Gordon G. Grigg, Craig Moritz, Besar Ketol, Isa Sait, Wahab Marni and M.T. Abdullah. ... The Leaf-nosed bats, family Phyllostomidae are by far the most varied and diverse within the whole order Chiroptera and count within their number true predatory species that take vertebrate prey including small Dove -sized birds in the case of the False Vampire, Vampyrum spectrum, the largest bat in the... Mustached bats are a small group of bats of the family Mormoopidae. ... The Noctilionidae family of bats, commonly known as Bulldog bats, are represented by two species, the Greater Bulldog Bat and the Lesser Bulldog Bat. ... Species (believed extinct) The New Zealand short-tailed bats are the Mystacinidae family of bats. ... The Free-tailed bats in the family Molossidae are generally quite robust and consist of many strong flying forms with relatively long and narrow wings. ... Disc-winged bats are a small group of bats of the family Thyropteridae. ... Furipteridae, also known as Smoky Bats or Thumbless Bats, is a small group of bats from Central and South America, closely related to Natalidae and Thyropteridae bat families. ... Natalidae, or Funnel Eared Bats, is a small group of bats from Central and South America. ... Evening bats or perhaps more correctly Vesper bats (family Vespertilionidae) are the largest and best-known family of bats. ... Ferungulata is a clade within laurasiatheria that includes the carnivora, perissodactyla, and artiodactyla. ... This article belongs in one or more categories. ... Orders Order Cetacea Order Artiodactyla Humpback Whale breaching. ... Families Suidae Hippopotamidae Tayassuidae Camelidae Tragulidae Moschidae Cervidae Giraffidae Antilocapridae Bovidae The even-toed ungulates form the mammal order Artiodactyla. ... Suborders Mysticeti Odontoceti Archaeoceti (extinct) (see text for families) The order Cetacea includes whales, dolphins and porpoises. ... Species  Lama glama  Lama pacos  Lama guanicoe  Vicugna vicugna  Camelus dromedarius  Camelus bactrianus The four llamas and two camels are camelids: members of the biological family Camelidae, the only family in the suborder Tylopoda. ... Genera Babirusas, Babyrousa Giant forest hogs, Hylochoerus Warthogs, Phacochoerus Bush pigs, Potamochoerus Pigs, Sus Suidae is the biological family to which pigs and their relatives belong. ... Species Dicotyles tajacu Tyassu pecari Catagonus wagneri A peccary (also known by its Spanish name, Javelina) is a medium-sized mammal of the family Tayassuidae. ... Genera Hippopotamus Hexaprotodon Hippopotamuses are the members of the family Hippopotamidae. ... Genera Balaenoptera Megaptera Rorquals are the largest group of baleen whales, with nine species in two genera. ... Species  Balaena mysticetus  Eubalaena australis  Eubalaena glacialis  Eubalaena japonica Northern Right Whale range Southern Right Whale range The right whales are marine mammals belonging to the family Balaenidae. ... Genera Kogia Physeter The sperm whale family or simply the sperm whales is the collective name given to three species of whale, the Sperm Whale, the Pygmy Sperm Whale and the Dwarf Sperm Whale. ... Genera Berardius Hyperoodon Indopacetus Mesoplodon Tasmacetus Ziphius A beaked whale is any of at least 20 species of small whale in the family Ziphiidae. ... Binomial name Platanista gangetica Subspecies Platanista gangetica gangetica Platanista gangetica minor Ranges of the Ganges River Dolphin and of the Indus River Dolphin The Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica) and Indus River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica minor) are two sub-species of freshwater or river dolphins found in the Indian... Genera See text Oceanic dolphins are the members of the Delphinidae family of cetaceans. ... Binomial name Pontoporia blainvillei La Plata Dolphin range The La Plata Dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei) is found in coastal Atlantic waters of southeastern South America. ... Binomial name Lipotes vexillifer Miller, 1918 The Chinese River Dolphin (Lipotes vexillifer) is a freshwater dolphin found only in the Yangtze River in China. ... Binomial name Inia geoffrensis Boto range The Boto, or Amazon River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) is a freshwater or river dolphin. ... Genera Delphinapterus Monodon The cetacean family Monodontidae comprises two unusual whale species, the Narwhal, in which the male has a long tusk, and the white Beluga. ... Genera Neophocaena Phocoena - Harbor porpoises Phocoenoides - Dalls porpoises The porpoises are small cetaceans of the family Phocoenidae; they are related to whales and dolphins. ... The four species of chevrotain, also known as mouse deer, make up the family Tragulidae. ... Binomial name Antilocapra americana Ord, 1815 The pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) is the only surviving member of the family Antilocapridae, and the fastest land animal in North America running at speeds up to 54 mph (90 km/h). ... Species  Okapia johnstoni  Giraffa camelopardalis The biological family Giraffidae contains just two members, the Giraffe and the Okapi. ... Genera About 15 in 4 subfamilies. ... The four species of musk deer make up the family Moschidae. ... Subfamilies Bovinae Cephalophinae Hippotraginae Antilopinae Caprinae A bovid is any of almost 140 species of cloven-hoofed mammals belonging to the family Bovidae. ... Zooamata is a proposed clade of mammals consisting of Ferae (carnivores and pangolins) and Perissodactyla (odd-toed ungulates). ... Families Equidae Tapiridae Rhinocerotidae The odd-toed ungulates or Perissodactyla are large to very large browsing and grazing mammals with relatively simple stomachs and a large middle toe. ... Species - Donkey - African Wild Ass - Domestic Horse - Wild Horse - Grevys Zebra - Onager - Kiang - Plains Zebra - Cape Mountain Zebra - Hartmanns Mountain Zebra Equidae is the family of horse-like animals, order Perissodactyla. ... Species Tapirus bairdii - Bairds Tapir Tapirus indicus - Malayan Tapir Tapirus pinchaque - Mountain Tapir Tapirus terrestris - Brazilian Tapir A tapir is a large, browsing animal, roughly the shape of an over-sized pig but with a short, prehensile trunk. ... Species Ceratotherium simum Dicerorhinus sumatrensis Diceros bicornis Rhinoceros unicornis A rhinoceros is any of five surviving species of odd-toed ungulate in the family Rhinocerotidae. ... A clade consisting of the orders Pholidota and Carnivora. ... Species Manis gigantea Manis temmincki Manis tricuspis Manis tetradactyla Manis crassicaudata Manis pentadactyla Manis javanica Pangolins are mammals with large scales on their skins which can be found in parts of Africa and Asia. ... Species Manis gigantea Manis temmincki Manis tricuspis Manis tetradactyla Manis crassicaudata Manis pentadactyla Manis javanica Pangolins are mammals with large scales on their skins which can be found in parts of Africa and Asia. ... Families 17, See classification The diverse order Carnivora IPA: (from Latin carō (stem carn-) flesh, + vorāre to devour) includes over 260 placental mammals. ... Subfamilies Felinae Pantherinae Acinonychinae Machairodontinae (extinct) The Felidae family includes lions, tigers, domestic cats, and other felines as its members. ... Subfamilies Cryptoproctinae Euplerinae Hemigalinae Paradoxurinae Viverrinae The 35 species of civet, genet and linsang make up the family Viverridae. ... Genera 17 genera, see text The mongoose is any member of the Herpestidae family of small, cat-like carnivores. ... Genera Crocuta Hyaena Parahyaena Proteles Hyenas (or Hyaenas) are moderately large terrestrial carnivores native to Africa and Asia, and members of the family Hyaenidae. ... Genera Alopex Atelocynus Canis Cerdocyon Chrysocyon Cuon Dusicyon Fennecus Lycalopex Lycaon Nyctereutes Otocyon Pseudalopex Speothos Urocyon Vulpes Canidae is the family of carnivorous and omnivorous mammals commonly known as canines. ... For other meanings, see Bear (disambiguation). ... Binomial name Odobenus rosmarus (Linnaeus, 1758) Subspecies Walruses are large semi-aquatic mammals that live in the cold Arctic seas of the Northern Hemisphere. ... Genera Monachus (Monk Seals) Mirounga (Elephant Seal) Lobodon (Crabeater Seals) Leptonychotes Hydrurga (Leopard Seals) Ommatophoca Erignathus (Bearded Seals) Phoca Halichoerus (Gray Seals) Cystophora (Hooded Seals) The true seals or earless seals are one of the three main groups of mammals within the seal suborder, Pinnipedia. ... Binomial name Ailurus fulgens Cuvier, 1825 The Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens Latin fire colored cat) Chinese: 小熊貓; (pinyin: xiǎo xióng māo) or lesser panda, is a mostly vegetarian cat-sized (60 cm long) mammal. ... Genera Mephitis Spilogale Conepatus The skunks or Mephitidae are a family of medium-sized mammals, typically black-and-white-furred, belonging to the order Carnivora. ... Subfamilies Lutrinae Melinae Mellivorinae Taxidiinae Mustelinae Mustelidae is a family of carnivorous mammals. ... Genera Bassaricyon Bassariscus Nasua Nasuella Potos Procyon Procyonidae is a family of Carnivora which includes the raccoons, coatis and others. ...

Standardized textbook classification

A somewhat standardized classification system has been adopted by most current mammalogy classroom textbooks. The following taxonomy of extant and recently extinct mammals is taken from Vaughan et al. (2000). This approach emphasizes an initial split between egg-laying prototherians and live-bearing therians. The therians are further divided into the marsupial Metatheria and the "placental" eutheria. No attempt is made here to further distinguish among the orders within these subclasses and infraclasses. This system also makes no note of the position of entirely fossil groups. In biology, mammalogy is the study of mammals, a class of vertebrates with characteristics such as homeothermic metabolism, fur, four-chambered hearts, and complex nervous systems. ...


In this and later taxonomies listed here, families are merely listed under the order to which they belong. Please see the pages associated with specific orders to see more detailed relationships among families in that order.


Subclass Prototheria

Prototheria (próto-thiŕ ee-a) (Gr. ... Families Kollikodontidae (extinct) Ornithorhynchidae - Platypus Tachyglossidae - Echidnas Steropodontidae (extinct) Monotremes are mammals that are best known for laying eggs, instead of giving birth to live young like marsupials and placental mammals (Eutheria). ... For other uses, see Echidna (disambiguation). ... Genera Obdurodon (extinct) Ornithorhynchus Ornithorhyncidae is one of two families in the order Monotremata, and contains all species of platypus. ...

Subclass Theria

Infraclasses Metatheria Eutheria This article is about the subclass of mammals. ... Metatheria is a grouping within the animal class Mammalia. ... Genera Several; see text Opossum fur is quite soft, and was once commonly used in the bathtub as a sponge. ... Genera Several; see text The order Didelphimorphia contains the common opossums of the western hemisphere. ... Genera  Caenolestes  Lestoros  Rhyncholestes The biological order Paucituberculata contains the five surviving species of shrew opossum: small, shrew-like marsupials which are confined to the Andes mountains of South America. ... Genera  Caenolestes  Lestoros  Rhyncholestes The biological order Paucituberculata contains the five surviving species of shrew opossum: small, shrew-like marsupials which are confined to the Andes mountains of South America. ... Binomial name Dromiciops australis Thomas, 1894 The Monito del Monte (little mountain monkey, Dromiciops australis) is a semi-arboreal South American marsupial which is thought to be more closely related to the marsupials of Australasia than to those of the Americas. ... Binomial name Dromiciops australis Thomas, 1894 The Monito del Monte (little mountain monkey, Dromiciops australis) is a semi-arboreal South American marsupial which is thought to be more closely related to the marsupials of Australasia than to those of the Americas. ... Families Thylacinidae Dasyuridae Myrmecobiidae Most carnivorous marsupials belong to the order Dasyuromorphia, including the quolls, dunnarts, Numbat, Tasmanian Devil, and the recently extinct Thylacine. ... Binomial name Thylacinus cynocephalus (Harris, 1808) The Tasmanian Tigers is the name of the Tasmanian state cricket team. ... Binomial name Myrmecobius fasciatus Waterhouse, 1836 The Numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) is an endangered small marsupial native to western and southern Australia with a number of unique features. ... Families Thylacinidae Dasyuridae Myrmecobiidae Most carnivorous marsupials belong to the order Dasyuromorphia, including the quolls, dunnarts, Numbat, Tasmanian Devil, and the recently extinct Thylacine. ... Families: Peroryctidae Peramelidae The order Peramelemorphia includes the bandicoots and bilbies: it equates approximately to the mainstream of marsupial omnivores. ... Genera  Perameles  Isoodon  Chaeropus A bandicoot is any of about 8 species of small to medium-sized, terrestrial marsupial omnivores in the subfamily Peramelinae (the true bandicoots) of the family Peramelidae; or in a broader sense, any of about 21 species of fairly similar animals in the order Peramelemorphia. ... Genera  Peroryctes  Microperoryctes  Echymipera The rainforest bandicoots (family Peroryctidae) are small to medium sized marsupial omnivores native to New Guinea and nearby areas, including far-northern Australia, Seram, and Kiriwina. ... Binomial names Notoryctes typhlops Notoryctes caurinus The marsupial moles are rare and poorly understood burrowing mammals of the deserts of western Australia. ... Binomial names Notoryctes typhlops Notoryctes caurinus The marsupial moles are rare and poorly understood burrowing mammals of the deserts of western Australia. ... Suborders Vombatiformes Phalangeriformes Macropodiformes Diprotodontia is a large taxon of about 120 marsupial mammals including the kangaroos, wallabies, possums, Koala, wombats, and many others. ... Binomial name Phascolarctos cinereus Goldfuss, 1817 The Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus; sometimes also spelled Phascolarctus cinereus) is a thickset arboreal marsupial herbivore endemic to Australia, and the only representative of its family, Phascolarctidae. ... Binomial name Vombatus ursinus Shaw, 1800 The wombat is an Australian marsupial in appearance rather like a small, very short-legged and muscular bear approximately 1 metre in length, and with a mere nubbin of a tail. ... Genera  Hypsiprymnodon  Aepyprymnus  Bettongia  Caloprymnus  Potorous The marsupial family Potoroidae includes the bettongs, potoroos and rat-kangaroos. ... Genera See text Macropods are marsupials belonging to the family Macropodidae, which includes kangaroos, wallabies, tree kangaroos, pademelons, and several others. ... A possum is any of about 25 small to medium-sized arboreal marsupials native to Australia. ... A possum is any of about 25 small to medium-sized arboreal marsupials native to Australia. ... Genera Dactylopsila Gymnobelideus Petaurus The family Petauridae includes 11 medium-sized possum species: four striped possums, the six species wrist-winged gliders in genus Petaurus, and Leadbeaters Possum which has only vestigal gliding membranes. ... Binomial name Dactylopsila trivirgata Gray, 1858[2] The Striped opossum, Dactylopsila trivirgata is a small member of the opossum family found in Australia and New Guinea, as well as several other small islands in the area. ... Binomial name Gymnobelideus leadbeateri McCoy, 1867 Leadbeaters Possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) is an endangered possum restricted to small pockets of remaining old growth Mountain Ash forests in the cool, misty highlands of Victoria, Australia. ... Binomial name Petaurus breviceps Waterhouse, 1839 Sugar Glider natural range: Red: Blue: Darkgreen: Yellow: Violet: Lightgreen: Black: The Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps), sometimes called the Flying Sugar, is a small gliding possum native to eastern and northern mainland Australia, New Guinea, and the Bismarck Archipelago, and introduced to Tasmania. ... Binomial name Petaurus norfolcensis (Kerr, 1792) The Squirrel Glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) is a gliding possum of the Marsupial family Petauridae. ... Binomial name Tarsipes rostratus Gervais & Verreaux, 1842 The Honey Possum (Tarsipes rostratus) or Noolbenger is a tiny Australian marsupial weighing just 5 to 10 grams—about half the size of a mouse. ... Genera Acrobates Distoechurus Acrobatidae is a small family of marsupials contains two genera, each with a single species, the Feathertail Glider (Acrobates pygmaeus) from Australia and Feathertail Possum (Distoechurus pennatus) from New Guinea. ... Binomial name Acrobates pygmaeus (Shaw, 1793) The Feathertail Glider (Acrobates pygmaeus) is the worlds smallest gliding mammal. ... Eutheria is a taxon (specifically, an infraclass) nearly synonymous with Placentalia, containing the placental mammals and the nearest ancestors of placental mammals (which are known only from the fossil record). ... Orders and suborders Order Pilosa Suborder Vermilingua Suborder Folivora Order Cingulata See text for more details The superorder Xenarthra is a group of placental mammals (infraclass Eutheria), extant today only in the Americas. ... Families Megalonychidae Bradypodidae Sloths are medium-sized South American mammals belonging to the families Megalonychidae and Bradypodidae, part of the order Xenarthra. ... Families Megalonychidae Bradypodidae Sloths are medium-sized South American mammals belonging to the families Megalonychidae and Bradypodidae, part of the order Xenarthra. ... Genera Chlamyphorus Cabassous Chaetophractus Dasypus Euphractus Priodontes Tolypeutes Zaedyus Armadillos are any of several small mammals of the family Dasypodidae, mostly known for having a bony armor shell. ... Genera Myrmecophaga Tamandua Cyclopes Anteaters are mammals of the order Xenarthra and the family Myrmecophagidae, commonly known for eating ants and termites. ... Families Erinaceidae Soricidae Talpidae Solenodontidae The biological order Insectivora in the past was used as a scrapbasket for a variety of small to very small, relatively unspecialized, insectivorous mammals. ... Genera Atopogale Solenodon Species Atopogale cubana Solenodon paradoxus Solenodon marcanoi (extinct) The family Solenodontidae are nocturnal, burrowing, insectivorous mammals. ... Species Nesophontes edithae Nesophontes hypomicrus Nesophontes longirostris Nesophontes major Nesophontes micrus Nesophontes paramicrus Nesophontes submicrus Nesophontes zamicrus The West Indies shrews were members of the extinct family of mammals Nesophontidae in the order Insectivora. ... Subfamilies  Geogalinae  Potamogalinae  Oryzorictinae  Tenrecinae Tenrecidae (common name tenrecs) is a family of mammals found on Madagascar and parts of western Africa. ... Genera  Eremitalpa  Chrysospalax  Chrysochloris  Cryptochloris  Carpitalpa  Chlorotalpa  Calcochloris  Amblysomus  Neamblysomus Golden moles are small, insectivorous burrowing mammals native to southern Africa. ... Subfamily Erinaceinae Hylomyinae Erinaceidae is a family in the order of the Insectivora. ... This article is about the animal; see also The Taming of the Shrew for the use of this term to describe a person. ... Genera Uropsilus Desmana Galemys Talpa Mogera Parascaptor Scaptochirus Scaptonyx Scapanulus Urotrichus Neurotrichus Scalopus Parascalops Scapanus Condylura For other meanings, see Mole (disambiguation). ... Genera Tupaia Anathana Urogale Dendrogale Lyonogale Ptilocercus