Carnivimorpha

Carnivimorpha is a proposed clade within Mammalia that groups together the crown group Carnivora and a number of extinct carnivoriform mammals, such as early Miacoidea. The name, from Latin carnivorus and morpha, is used in some phylogenetic schemes to emphasize the evolutionary transition from early predatory mammals to modern carnivores. Its exact composition and boundaries vary among researchers; in many accounts it is treated as a stem grouping within Laurasiatheria that includes early carnivoran-like taxa and the crown Carnivora.

Shared features commonly invoked for Carnivimorpha include dentition adapted for slicing and shearing rather than grinding, such as the development of carnassial blades in the postcanine teeth; a relatively strong, forward-facing canine; and certain skull and jaw joint adaptations that aid rapid biting and prey capture. However, the preservation of Miacoidea shows variability, and not all members possess the same dental repertoire.

Fossils attributed to Carnivimorpha range from the late Paleocene to the middle Eocene, with crown Carnivora arising within the group. Extinct lineages known from this clade are widely distributed in North America, Europe, and Asia, suggesting a broad predatory or scavenging niche during the early Cenozoic.

Ecologically, Carnivimorpha taxa occupied carnivorous and omnivorous niches, including small to medium-sized terrestrial predators, scavengers, and opportunistic omnivores. Morphological diversity reflects different locomotor habits, from scansorial to cursorial.

Due to ongoing revisions in mammalian phylogeny and inconsistent use of the name Carnivimorpha, the clade is not universally recognized. In some systems it is treated as a synonym or as a subset of Carnivoramorpha; others use it as a stem group to Carnivora.

See also: Carnivora, Miacoidea, Carnivoramorpha, Laurasiatheria.