Canis
genus of mammals, including domestic dogs
Canis is a genus with seven to ten living species.[1] It incudes the domestic dog, wolves, coyotes, and jackals, and various extinct species. 'Canis' means "dog" in Latin.
Canis Temporal range: Miocene–present (6 million years ago)
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Gray wolf (top), coyote and African golden wolf (top middle), Ethiopian wolf and golden jackal (bottom middle), black-backed jackal and side-striped jackal (bottom) | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Carnivora |
Family: | Canidae |
Subfamily: | Caninae |
Tribe: | Canini |
Genus: | Canis Linnaeus, 1758 |
Type species | |
Canis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758
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Extant species | |
Their canine teeth are adapted for killing, and their molar teeth can crunch bone. They are able to chase prey over long distances, far more so than felines.
References
change- ↑ Wilson D.E. & Reeder D.M. eds 2005. Genus Canis. Mammal species of the world. 3rd ed, Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0