Domestic Cat Bone Research Paper
Fossil record and genetic record of relationship between the species The oldest fossil evidence found was approximately 3.8 million years old. Although these were said to be the “oldest” there have been more modern research done that shows DNA comparisons of ancient fossils and more recent bones. This evidence is known as the clue to the ancestor of all cats including the domestic cat, margay, and marbled cat. In China, Archaeologists have found the first clear evidence of domestic and/or “small cats” . The evidence was recorded at 3,500 years old.
Domestic cat skull
Compare and contrast between the niche of the species. Domestic Cat: The domestic cat could easily live without humans. It is likely that they would thrive
more without us. This is because many cats die early as a result of obesity due to humans feeding them freely and badly. The cats not only do not have to hunt for their food but they are fed less nutritiously. Some feral and outside cats are apart of an ecosystem with predators such as coyotes and some dogs. Their “job” would be mainly to kill rodents or even snakes. Many ranch owners get cats to scare off any snakes. They as well serve as a companion to many humans. Margay Cat: Margay cats are found in more tropical areas including places in Mexico,central America, and Brazil. These cats live an arboreal life meaning they live in trees. This is a way of life it developed to hide from predators. It can climb at the speed and rate of squirrel. It can climb down a tree with all four of its legs and claws. It is the only species that can rotate its hind legs. The margays “job” is to reduce the population of overly populated rodents that can damage ecosystems when too large. Marbled Cat: The marbled cat is as well a arboreal cat but more commonly found in South Asia. They live in rain forests that provide them with trees (their habitat)The “job” of the marbled cat is to prey on over populated birds that can highly affect the ecosystem negatively.
Approximate time of speciation and theorized cause of speciation. It is approximated that the domestic cat evolved about the same time humans did, about 40,000 years ago. The Egyptians have were the first to domesticate them, 3,600 years ago, being that they worshiped them. The Margay has evolved more recently from the ocelot about 2,000 years ago due to their arboreal lifestyle. The marbled cat evolved from the lynx getting smaller and a longer tail genetic but their is no clue as to when.
Domestic cat skull
Compare and contrast between the niche of the species. Domestic Cat: The domestic cat could easily live without humans. It is likely that they would thrive
more without us. This is because many cats die early as a result of obesity due to humans feeding them freely and badly. The cats not only do not have to hunt for their food but they are fed less nutritiously. Some feral and outside cats are apart of an ecosystem with predators such as coyotes and some dogs. Their “job” would be mainly to kill rodents or even snakes. Many ranch owners get cats to scare off any snakes. They as well serve as a companion to many humans. Margay Cat: Margay cats are found in more tropical areas including places in Mexico,central America, and Brazil. These cats live an arboreal life meaning they live in trees. This is a way of life it developed to hide from predators. It can climb at the speed and rate of squirrel. It can climb down a tree with all four of its legs and claws. It is the only species that can rotate its hind legs. The margays “job” is to reduce the population of overly populated rodents that can damage ecosystems when too large. Marbled Cat: The marbled cat is as well a arboreal cat but more commonly found in South Asia. They live in rain forests that provide them with trees (their habitat)The “job” of the marbled cat is to prey on over populated birds that can highly affect the ecosystem negatively.
Approximate time of speciation and theorized cause of speciation. It is approximated that the domestic cat evolved about the same time humans did, about 40,000 years ago. The Egyptians have were the first to domesticate them, 3,600 years ago, being that they worshiped them. The Margay has evolved more recently from the ocelot about 2,000 years ago due to their arboreal lifestyle. The marbled cat evolved from the lynx getting smaller and a longer tail genetic but their is no clue as to when.