Phylogeny of <em>Panthera</em>, Including <em>P. atrox</em>, Based on Cranialmandibular Characters

<p>Over the past 20 years both morphological and molecular phylogenies have been proposed for extant and extinct members of the family Felidae. However, there remain several discrepancies, particularly within the genus <em>Panthera</em> and the position of <em>Panthera atrox</em>. Consequently, morphologic characters from the skull and dentary were analyzed within <em>Panthera</em> (including all extant and one extinct taxa) to gain a better understanding of pantherine phylogeny. Multiple specimens of each taxon were analyzed, including: <em>P. leo, P. tigris, P. onca, P. pardus , Uncia uncia</em>, and <em>Neofelis nebulosa</em>. Four outgroups were used; <em>Crocuta crocuta, Metailurus ssp., Proailurus lemanensis</em>, and <em>Pseudaelurus validus</em>. From each phylogeny created, despite the outgroup, apparent grouping between <em>Panthera leo, P. tigris</em>, and <em>P. atrox</em> was present. Therefore, <em>P. atrox</em> is likely more closely related to the African lion and the tiger than the jaguar, in contrast to what has been recently suggested.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MS (Master of Science)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - unrestricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Geosciences

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• King, Leigha M

• P. atrox
• phylogeny
• Keywords: auditory bullae
• dentary
• morphology
• Panthera
• cranial
• Comparative and Evolutionary Physiology
• Life Sciences
• Physiology

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright by the authors.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1444

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-2637