Feliformia

Feliformia is a suborder of the order Carnivora that includes cat-like carnivorans and several related families. It is one of the two principal suborders of Carnivora, the other being Caniformia. The two suborders are distinguished by a combination of skeletal, dental, and auditory features and by different evolutionary histories. Feliformia arose in the early Cenozoic, with living members representing a wide range of ecological roles from hunters to omnivores.

Living feliforms are grouped into several families: Felidae (cats), Hyaenidae (hyenas), Herpestidae (mongooses), Eupleridae (Malagasy carnivorans), Viverridae (civets and genets), and Prionodontidae (prionodontids). Extinct lineages such as Nimravidae and Barbourofelidae are also placed within Feliformia and help illustrate early diversification.

Geographic range and ecology: Feliforms occur in Africa, Asia, and parts of Europe, with the Malagasy islands hosting the unique Eupleridae. They occupy a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and deserts, and show diverse lifestyles from solitary ambush predators to more social species. Diets range from small vertebrates to larger prey, with some species exhibiting omnivory such as civets.

Evolution and relationships: Phylogenetically, Feliformia is the sister group to Caniformia within Carnivora. Within Feliformia, cats (Felidae) are closely related to the Prionodontidae, and the remaining families diverged at various times, with extinct groups such as Nimravidae representing early feliforms.

Conservation: Many feliform species face threats from habitat loss, hunting, and decline of prey. Some species are classified as endangered or critically endangered, reflecting ongoing conservation concerns.