Chordate Zoology - Textbook - Y. V. Tsaryk - 2013

Chapter 5. SUPERCLASS TETRAPODS (LAND VERTEBRATES) TETRAPODA, seu QUADRIPEDA.

ANAMNIOTES (ANAMNIA) and AMNIOTES (AMNIOTA)

5.4. CLASS MAMMALS, or BEASTS, MAMMALIA, seu THERIA

5.4.2. Behavior and Lifestyle

5.4.2.2. Geographical Distribution

The Study of the distribution patterns of mammals, as well as other animal groups, has enabled the zoogeographical regionalization of the Earth. The Australian realm is characterized by the dominance of diverse marsupials; only here have the most primitive mammals, the monotremes, survived. Among placental mammals, bats are the most diverse. The few rodent species are grouped into the endemic family Hydromyidae. Humans introduced rats and the dingo dog here, and the rabbit, many ungulates, some carnivores, and others have been acclimated.

The Neotropical realm (Central and South America) has a rich and diverse mammalian fauna. About 30 species of marsupial opossums ecologically replace shrews, which are virtually absent. Only here are anteaters, sloths, and armadillos (order Xenarthra) found. There are many bats (including Blood-sucking forms - vampire bats). Diverse rodents are endemic (agoutis, cavies, chinchillas, coypus, New World porcupines, etc.), as well as New World monkeys (capuchins, marmosets, etc.). Among odd-toed ungulates, only tapirs are found. Even-toed ungulates are also few: peculiar peccaries, humpless camels (llamas), and the small-sized Pudu deer.

In the Ethiopian realm (Africa, excluding its northern regions), hyraxes and aardvarks are endemic. There are diverse insectivores (golden moles, otter shrews, elephant shrews, etc.) and rodents (scaly-tailed squirrels, ground squirrels, springhares, mole-rats, etc.). Even-toed ungulates are represented by A large number of diverse antelopes, buffaloes, giraffes, hippopotamuses, and pigs; odd-toed ungulates by rhinoceroses and zebras; and proboscideans by elephants. Carnivorans are diverse (especially viverrids), although some of them range beyond the realm (lion, leopard, cheetah, hyenas). There are many monkeys of the family Cercopithecidae; gorillas and chimpanzees (family of great apes) are endemic and very rare. Madagascar is distinguished as a separate realm, characterized by lower primates (lemurs) and the most primitive insectivores (tenrecs, or tailless tenrecs).

The fauna of the Oriental (Indo-Malayan) realm (Southeast Asia and the Malay Archipelago) is diverse, although it shares many common elements with neighboring realms. Only here are colugos, treeshrews, and tarsiers found, and among the apes — gibbons and orangutans. Among rodents, there are diverse squirrels, flying squirrels, and murids. There are many bats. The Indian elephant is characteristic. Even-toed ungulates are diverse (pigs, bovids, deer). Odd-toed ungulates are represented by tapirs and rhinoceroses. Among carnivorans, the most peculiar are felids (tiger and small cats) and pandas.

In the vast Holarctic realm, which includes North Africa, Europe, most of Asia, and North America, only the order of lagomorphs is endemic. Among insectivores, the most characteristic are moles, hedgehogs, and shrews. Bats are scarce. Primates are virtually absent. Among the diverse rodents, marmots, ground squirrels, beavers, and jerboas are characteristic. Even-toed ungulates are relatively few (moose, deer, wild goats, sheep). Among carnivorans, mustelids and canids (wolf, fox, Arctic fox) are the most widespread. Mammals of Eurasia (the Palearctic) and North America (the Nearctic) are often represented by the same or closely related species (bears, lynxes, wolves, beavers, hares, European bison and American bison, etc.). Only in the Palearctic are the desman, wild boar, camels,

Przewalski's horse, and other species found, while only in the Nearctic are opossums, raccoons, skunks, pocket gophers, pronghorn, etc. present. The relative poverty of the Holarctic fauna is determined by its northern Location.

In the seas of middle and high latitudes of both hemispheres, true seals are widespread. Cetaceans inhabit all seas and oceans; whales are more diverse in middle and high latitudes, while dolphins are more diverse in the tropical zone.