Felinae

Bengal ( Prionailurus bengalensis )

The small cats ( Felinae ) form a subfamily of cats ( Felidae ).

In older classifications, the cats were divided into three groups, in addition to the small cats, these were the big cats ( Pantherinae ) and the off -standing Cheetah ( Acinonychinae ).

Molecular genetic studies have however shown that the cheetah is most closely related to the genus cougars ( Puma and jaguarundi ) and therefore needs to be incorporated into the small cats. The position of the marble cat, which has traditionally been counted among the big cats is controversial. Whether representing the small cats in this expanded form a natural group ( monophyletic ), is controversial (see Modern classifications of cats).

The term " small " cats should not obscure the fact that even such a large species such as the Puma be included as well. A distinguishing feature is, among other things, that big cats in contrast to the small cats howling sounds can give of themselves. Can purr all cats big cats but only when you exhale, the small cats in both the A - like when you exhale.

Wilson & Reeder (2005) include the following genera and species of the small cats:

  • Genus Acinonyx Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus )
  • Caracal ( Caracal caracal )
  • Borneo Gold Cat ( Catopuma badia )
  • Asiatic golden cat ( Catopuma temmincki )
  • Gray cat ( Felis bieti )
  • Jungle cat (Felis chaus )
  • Manul (Felis manul )
  • Sand Cat ( Felis margarita )
  • Black-footed Cat (Felis nigripes )
  • Wildcat ( Felis silvestris ), including the domestic cat
  • Pampas cat ( Leopardus colocolo )
  • Leopardus braccatus
  • Leopardus Pajeros
  • Geoffroy's Cat ( Leopardus geoffroyi )
  • Chilean Forest Cat ( Leopardus guigna )
  • Andean cat ( Leopardus jacobitus )
  • Ocelot ( Leopardus pardalis)
  • Tiger cat ( Leopardus tigrinus )
  • Margay ( Leopardus wiedii )
  • Serval ( serval Leptailurus )
  • Canadian Lynx (Lynx canadensis)
  • Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx)
  • Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus )
  • Bobcat (Lynx rufus)
  • Bengal ( Prionailurus bengalensis )
  • Iriomote Cat ( Prionailurus iriomotensis )
  • Flat-headed cat ( Prionailurus planiceps )
  • Rusty-spotted cat ( Prionailurus rubiginosus )
  • Fishing cat ( Prionailurus viverrinus )
  • African Golden Cat ( Profelis aurata )
  • Puma ( Puma concolor)
  • Jaguarundi ( Puma yaguaroundi )
Laurasiatheria Puma (genus) Marbled cat Bay cat Asian golden cat Pantanal cat Geoffroy's cat Kodkod Canada lynx
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