Caracal (genus)
Caracal is a genus of the subfamily Felinae in the family Felidae. Previously, it was considered to be a monotypic genus, consisting of only the type species: Caracal caracal, commonly called caracal.
| Caracal | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Caracal caracal | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Suborder: | Feliformia |
| Family: | Felidae |
| Subfamily: | Felinae |
| Genus: | Caracal Gray, 1843 |
| Species | |
|
Caracal aurata | |
Genetic analysis has shown that caracal, African golden cat and serval are genetically closely related and diverged from a common ancestor about 5.4 million years ago. Therefore, it has been suggested to subordinate all of them to the genus Caracal.[1] This taxonomic classification is used in the IUCN Red List for the African golden cat.[2] It is used as a synonym for the serval.[3]
References
- Johnson, W. E.; Eizirik, E.; Pecon-Slattery, J.; Murphy, W.J.; Antunes, A.; Teeling, E.; O'Brien, S.J. (2006). "The Late Miocene Radiation of Modern Felidae: A Genetic Assessment" (PDF). Science. 311 (5757): 73–7. doi:10.1126/science.1122277. PMID 16400146.
- Bahaa-el-din, L.; Mills, D.; Hunter, L. & Henschel, P. (2015). "Caracal aurata". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T18306A50663128. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T18306A50663128.en.
- Thiel, C. (2015). "Leptailurus serval". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2015: e.T11638A50654625. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T11638A50654625.en. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
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