What animal are hyenas related to
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Hyenas' Evolutionary Relatives
Introduction to Hyenas' Family: Hyaenidae
Hyenas belong to the family Hyaenidae, which is one of the smallest families among mammalian carnivores, containing only four living species: the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), the striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), the brown hyena (Parahyaena brunnea), and the aardwolf (Proteles cristata). Despite their limited number, hyenas exhibit remarkable ecological and social diversity, surpassing that of much larger families such as canids (dogs) and felids (cats).
Evolutionary History and Diversity
The family Hyaenidae was once much more diverse. During the Late Miocene epoch (12–6 million years ago), there were at least 24 different hyena species that roamed Eurasia and Africa. These ancient hyenas included not only the robust, bone-cracking forms we are familiar with today but also many species that were dog-like in their appearance and feeding ecology. Over time, the diversity and geographic range of hyenas have significantly declined, and they are now primarily found in Africa and the Middle East.
Hyenas' Closest Relatives
Hyenas are more closely related to felines (cats) than to canines (dogs). This might come as a surprise given their dog-like appearance and some behavioral traits. The evolutionary lineage of hyenas diverged from that of felines around 30 million years ago. This places them in the suborder Feliformia, which also includes other carnivorous mammals like mongooses and civets.
Social Structure and Behavior
The social structures of hyenas are complex and vary significantly among the different species. Spotted hyenas, for example, live in large, hierarchical groups called clans, which can resemble the social structures of certain primates like baboons and macaques. These clans are characterized by intense social interactions and competition for resources, which has led to the evolution of unique social traits in spotted hyenas. Other hyena species, such as the striped hyena and the brown hyena, tend to have more solitary or monogamous social structures.
Conclusion
In summary, hyenas are fascinating creatures with a rich evolutionary history and complex social behaviors. They are more closely related to cats than to dogs, despite their dog-like appearance. The family Hyaenidae, once diverse and widespread, now consists of only four species that exhibit a wide range of ecological and social adaptations. Understanding the evolutionary and social dynamics of hyenas provides valuable insights into their survival and adaptation strategies in various environments.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Hyenas and Humans in the Horn of Africa*
Hyena societies
Society, demography and genetic structure in the spotted hyena
Genome-Wide Analyses Provide Insights into the Scavenging Lifestyle of the Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena).
Extended and Continuous Decline in Effective Population Size Results in Low Genomic Diversity in the World’s Rarest Hyena Species, the Brown Hyena
Pleistocene Chinese cave hyenas and the recent Eurasian history of the spotted hyena, Crocuta crocuta
Behavioural structuring of relatedness in the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) suggests direct fitness benefits of clan‐level cooperation
Genetic relatedness and space use in two populations of striped hyenas (Hyaena hyaena)
Pollen analysis of present-day striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) scats from central Iran: Implications for dryland paleoecology and animal paleoethology
The giant short-faced hyena Pachycrocuta brevirostris (Mammalia, Carnivora, Hyaenidae) from Northeast Asia: A reinterpretation of subspecies differentiation and intercontinental dispersal
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