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'''''Acinonyx''''' is a [[genus]] within the [[Felidae]] [[family (biology)|family]].<ref name=msw3>{{MSW3 Wozencraft |pages=532–533 |id=14000005 |heading=Genus ''Acinonyx''}}</ref> The only living [[species]] of the genus, the [[cheetah]] (''A. jubatus''), lives in open [[grassland]]s of Africa and Asia.<ref name=Krausman2005>{{cite journal |last1=Krausman |first1=P. R. |last2=Morales |first2=S. M. |name-list-style=amp |year=2005 |title=''Acinonyx jubatus'' |journal=Mammalian Species |issue=771 |pages=1–6 | doi=10.1644/1545-1410(2005)771[0001:aj]2.0.co;2 |s2cid=198969000 |url=http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/biology/VHAYSSEN/msi/pdf/i1545-1410-771-1-1.pdf |access-date=2 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703024054/http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/biology/VHAYSSEN/msi/pdf/i1545-1410-771-1-1.pdf |archive-date=3 July 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
'''''Acinonyx''''' is a [[genus]] that is within the [[Felidae]] [[Family (biology)|family]],<ref name="msw32">{{MSW3 Wozencraft|pages=532–533|id=14000005|heading=Genus ''Acinonyx''}}</ref> also known as the cat family. The only living [[species]] of the genus and most commonly known, the [[cheetah]] (''A. jubatus'') inhabits the open [[grassland]]s of Africa and Asia along with parts of Iran.<ref name="Krausman20052">{{cite journal |last1=Krausman |first1=P. R. |last2=Morales |first2=S. M. |name-list-style=amp |year=2005 |title=''Acinonyx jubatus'' |url=http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/biology/VHAYSSEN/msi/pdf/i1545-1410-771-1-1.pdf |url-status=dead |journal=Mammalian Species |issue=771 |pages=1–6 |doi=10.1644/1545-1410(2005)771[0001:aj]2.0.co;2 |s2cid=198969000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703024054/http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/biology/VHAYSSEN/msi/pdf/i1545-1410-771-1-1.pdf |archive-date=3 July 2015 |access-date=2 July 2015}}</ref> This genus represents a highly adapted [[Lineage Cell Therapeutics|lineage]] within the felids, which specialize in speed and [[Open terrain|open-terrain]] hunting. Evidence suggest the Acinonyx genus evolved from other feline [[ancestor]]s early on, to become specialized in stealth and running.<ref name=":2">{{Citation |last=Marker |first=Laurie |title=Cheetahs Race for Survival: Ecology and Conservation |date=2019-11-20 |work=Wildlife Population Monitoring |url=https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.82255 |access-date=2025-10-14 |publisher=IntechOpen |doi=10.5772/intechopen.82255 |isbn=978-1-78984-169-5}}</ref>


Several [[fossil]] remains of cheetah-like cats were [[Excavation (archaeology)|excavated]] that date to the late [[Pliocene]] and [[Middle Pleistocene]].<ref name=Hemmer2008>{{cite journal |author=Hemmer, H. |author2=Kahlke, R.-D. |author3=Keller, T. |year=2008 |title=Cheetahs in the Middle Pleistocene of Europe: ''Acinonyx pardinensis'' (sensu lato) ''intermedius'' (Thenius, 1954) from the Mosbach Sands (Wiesbaden, Hessen, Germany) |journal=Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie, Abhandlungen |volume=249 |issue=3 |pages=345–356 |doi=10.1127/0077-7749/2008/0249-0345}}</ref> These cats occurred in Africa, parts of Europe and Asia about 10,000 years ago. Several similar species classified in the genus ''[[Miracinonyx]]'' lived in North America at the same time; these may have been more closely related to the genus ''[[Puma (genus)|Puma]]''.<ref name=Krausman2005/>
The main reasons for all but one species going extinct revolve around [[climate change]]s, humans driving these species out of their habitats, and their [[Predation|prey]] populations shrinking. Climate drastically changed starting in the [[Pleistocene]] period, making it difficult to survive in open [[terrain]] and [[grassland]]s upon which these cats depend.<ref name=":02">{{Cite journal |last1=Jiangzuo |first1=Qigao |last2=Wang |first2=Yaming |last3=Madurell-Malapeira |first3=Joan |last4=Bartolini Lucenti |first4=Saverio |last5=Li |first5=Shijie |last6=Wang |first6=Shiqi |last7=Li |first7=Zhaoyu |last8=Yang |first8=Rong |last9=Jia |first9=Yi |last10=Zhang |first10=Lu |last11=Chen |first11=Shanqin |last12=Jin |first12=Changzhu |last13=Wang |first13=Yuan |last14=Liu |first14=Jinyi |date=2024-05-15 |title=Massive early Middle Pleistocene cheetah from eastern Asia shed light onto the evolution of Acinonyx in Eurasia |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277379124001628 |journal=Quaternary Science Reviews |volume=332 |article-number=108661 |doi=10.1016/j.quascirev.2024.108661 |bibcode=2024QSRv..33208661J |issn=0277-3791|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Human [[civilization]] also began to change and expand resulting in lots of these species to lose their home or hunting grounds. This also forced some species to be isolated making reproducing more difficult.<ref name=":2" /> Another factor of humans expanding was the lack of prey for these cats; their prey were eating being hunted by humans or being forced from their habitats. These problems played a huge role in the [[extinction]] of the species in the genus Acinonyx other than the [[cheetah]] (A. jubatus).<ref name="msw32" />
 
[[Fossil]] remains related to cheetah-like cats were [[Excavation (archaeology)|excavated]] that date back to the late [[Pliocene]] and [[Middle Pleistocene]],<ref name="Hemmer20082">{{cite journal |author=Hemmer, H. |author2=Kahlke, R.-D. |author3=Keller, T. |year=2008 |title=Cheetahs in the Middle Pleistocene of Europe: ''Acinonyx pardinensis'' (sensu lato) ''intermedius'' (Thenius, 1954) from the Mosbach Sands (Wiesbaden, Hessen, Germany) |journal=Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie, Abhandlungen |volume=249 |issue=3 |pages=345–356 |doi=10.1127/0077-7749/2008/0249-0345 |bibcode=2008NJGPA.249..345H }}</ref> indicating a wide time range. These cats occurred across much of the old world 10,000 years ago, some extinct species such as [[Acinonyx pardinensis|A. pardinenesis]] and [[Acinonyx intermedius|A. intermedius]] were found in parts of [[Europe]] and [[Asia]].<ref name=":02"/> Several similar species classified in the genus ''[[Miracinonyx]]'' lived in North America at the same time; these may have been more closely related to the genus ''[[Puma (genus)|Puma]]''.<ref name="Krausman20052" />
 
A primary characteristic of this genus are bodies [[Adaptation|adapted]] for speed and swiftness; however the species at the time were much different in [[Morphology (biology)|morphology]]. Species found 10,000 years ago show a  large and vigorous build for these cats compared to the modern day [[Cheetah]] which has accommodated to fast prey, with a much slimmer build used for a quick pursuit.<ref name=":02"/> Species within the Acinonyx [[genus]] are also unable to retract their [[claw]]s fully, this can be a disadvantage in some cases. However claws give extra traction while running.<ref name=":13">{{Citation |last1=Fraenkel |first1=Amy |title=The convention on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals (CMS) |date=2025 |work=Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-443-14082-2.00143-5 |access-date=2025-10-13 |publisher=Elsevier |isbn=978-0-12-409548-9 |last2=Zikova |first2=Dagmar |last3=Bahramlouian |first3=Aydin |doi=10.1016/b978-0-443-14082-2.00143-5 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>


== Taxonomy ==
== Taxonomy ==
''Acinonyx'' was proposed by [[Joshua Brookes]] in 1828.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Brookes |first1=J. |year=1828 |title=A catalogue of the Anatomical and Zoological Museum of Joshua Brookes |location=London |publisher=Richard Taylor |pages=16 |chapter=Section Carnivora |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/b22475886/page/16}}</ref>
''Acinonyx'' was proposed by [[Joshua Brookes]] in 1828.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Brookes |first1=J. |year=1828 |title=A catalogue of the Anatomical and Zoological Museum of Joshua Brookes |location=London |publisher=Richard Taylor |pages=16 |chapter=Section Carnivora |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/b22475886/page/16}}</ref>


Between the late 18th century and the early 20th century, the following ''Acinonyx'' species and [[subspecies]] were described:<ref name=msw3/>
The word Acinonyx is [[Greek language|greek]], the first portion of "akinetos" translates to "unmoved" or "motionless" and the second portion "onyx" translates to "nail" or "claw".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Definition of ACINONYX |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Acinonyx |access-date=2025-10-13 |website=www.merriam-webster.com |language=en}}</ref> Which represents one the main traits used to recognize this genus, not being able to retract their claws fully.<ref name=":13"/>
 
Between the late 18th century and the early 20th century, the following ''Acinonyx'' species and [[subspecies]] were described:<ref name="msw32"/>
* [[Cheetah|''Felis jubatus'']] by [[Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber]] in 1777 was based on earlier descriptions by [[Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon|Comte de Buffon]] and [[Thomas Pennant]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Schreber, J. C. D. |year=1777 |chapter=Der Gepard |title=Die Säugthiere in Abbildungen nach der Natur mit Beschreibungen (Dritter Theil) |publisher=Wolfgang Walther |location=Erlangen |pages=392–393  |chapter-url=https://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/schreber1875textbd3/0112/image}}</ref>
* [[Cheetah|''Felis jubatus'']] by [[Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber]] in 1777 was based on earlier descriptions by [[Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon|Comte de Buffon]] and [[Thomas Pennant]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Schreber, J. C. D. |year=1777 |chapter=Der Gepard |title=Die Säugthiere in Abbildungen nach der Natur mit Beschreibungen (Dritter Theil) |publisher=Wolfgang Walther |location=Erlangen |pages=392–393  |chapter-url=https://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/schreber1875textbd3/0112/image}}</ref>
** [[Acinonyx jubatus venaticus|''Felis venatica'']] by [[Edward Griffith (zoologist)|Griffith]] in 1821 was based on a sketch of a cheetah from India.<ref>{{cite book |author=Griffith, E. |year=1821 |title=General and particular descriptions of the vertebrated animals, arranged conformably to the modern discoveries and improvements in zoology. Order Carnivora |location=London |publisher=Baldwin, Cradock and Joy |chapter=''Felis venatica'' |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/generalparticula00grif/page/n149}}</ref>
** [[Acinonyx jubatus venaticus|''Felis venatica'']] by [[Edward Griffith (zoologist)|Griffith]] in 1821 was based on a sketch of a cheetah from India.<ref>{{cite book |author=Griffith, E. |year=1821 |title=General and particular descriptions of the vertebrated animals, arranged conformably to the modern discoveries and improvements in zoology. Order Carnivora |location=London |publisher=Baldwin, Cradock and Joy |chapter=''Felis venatica'' |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/generalparticula00grif/page/n149}}</ref>
** [[Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii|''Cynailurus soemmeringi'']] by [[Leopold Fitzinger|Fitzinger]] in 1855 was a live male cheetah brought by [[Theodor von Heuglin]] to [[Tiergarten Schönbrunn]] from [[Kordofan]] in southern Sudan.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Fitzinger |first1=L. |year=1855 |title=Bericht an die kaiserliche Akademie der Wissenchaften über die von dem Herrn Consultatsverweser Dr. Theodor v. Heuglin für die kaiserliche Menagerie zu Schönbrunn mitgebrachten lebenden Thiere |journal=Sitzungsberichte der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften. Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Classe |volume=17 |pages=242–253 |url=https://archive.org/details/sitzungsbericht171855kais/page/244}}</ref>
** [[Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii|''Cynailurus soemmeringi'']] by [[Leopold Fitzinger|Fitzinger]] in 1855 was a live male cheetah brought by [[Theodor von Heuglin]] to [[Tiergarten Schönbrunn]] from [[Kordofan]] in southern Sudan.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Fitzinger |first1=L. |year=1855 |title=Bericht an die kaiserliche Akademie der Wissenchaften über die von dem Herrn Consultatsverweser Dr. Theodor v. Heuglin für die kaiserliche Menagerie zu Schönbrunn mitgebrachten lebenden Thiere |journal=Sitzungsberichte der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften. Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Classe |volume=17 |pages=242–253 |url=https://archive.org/details/sitzungsbericht171855kais/page/244}}</ref>
** [[Acinonyx jubatus hecki|''Acinonyx hecki'']] by [[:de: Max Hilzheimer|Hilzheimer]] in 1913 was a captive cheetah from Senegal in the [[Berlin Zoological Garden]], named in honour of the zoo's director.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hilzheimer |first1=M. |year=1913 |title=Über neue Gepparden nebst Bemerkungen über die Nomenklatur dieser Tiere |journal=Sitzungsberichte der Gesellschaft Naturforschender Freunde zu Berlin |issue=5 |pages=283–292 |url=https://archive.org/details/sitzungsberichte1913gese/page/n311}}</ref>
** [[Acinonyx jubatus hecki|''Acinonyx hecki'']] by [[:de: Max Hilzheimer|Hilzheimer]] in 1913 was a captive cheetah from Senegal in the [[Berlin Zoological Garden]], named in honour of the zoo's director.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hilzheimer |first1=M. |year=1913 |title=Über neue Gepparden nebst Bemerkungen über die Nomenklatur dieser Tiere |journal=Sitzungsberichte der Gesellschaft Naturforschender Freunde zu Berlin |issue=5 |pages=283–292 |url=https://archive.org/details/sitzungsberichte1913gese/page/n311}}</ref>
In 1993, ''Acinonyx'' was placed in the [[Monophyly|monophyletic]] subfamily Acinonychinae. [[Molecular phylogenetics|Molecular phylogenetic analysis]] has shown that it is the [[sister group]] of the genus [[Puma (genus)|''Puma'']], and it is now placed within the subfamily [[Felinae]].<ref name=msw3/>
In 1993, ''Acinonyx'' was placed in the [[Monophyly|monophyletic]] subfamily Acinonychinae. [[Molecular phylogenetics|Molecular phylogenetic analysis]] has shown that it is the [[sister group]] of the genus [[Puma (genus)|''Puma'']], and it is now placed within the subfamily [[Felinae]].<ref name="msw32"/>


In addition, the following [[fossil]] ''Acinonyx'' species were described:
In addition, the following [[fossil]] ''Acinonyx'' species were described:
Line 42: Line 48:
* ''[[Acinonyx intermedius]]'' by Thenius in 1954<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Thenius |first1=E. |year=1954 |title=Gepardreste aus dem Altquartär von Hundsheim in Niederösterreich |journal=Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie, Monatshefte |pages=225–238}}</ref>
* ''[[Acinonyx intermedius]]'' by Thenius in 1954<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Thenius |first1=E. |year=1954 |title=Gepardreste aus dem Altquartär von Hundsheim in Niederösterreich |journal=Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie, Monatshefte |pages=225–238}}</ref>
* ''[[Acinonyx aicha]]''  by Geraads in 1997<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Geraads |first1=D. |year=1997 |title=Carnivores du Pliocène terminalde Ahl al Oughlam (Casablanca, Maroc) |journal=Geobios |volume=30 |issue=1 |pages=127–164 |doi=10.1016/s0016-6995(97)80263-x |bibcode=1997Geobi..30..127G |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280858487}}</ref>
* ''[[Acinonyx aicha]]''  by Geraads in 1997<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Geraads |first1=D. |year=1997 |title=Carnivores du Pliocène terminalde Ahl al Oughlam (Casablanca, Maroc) |journal=Geobios |volume=30 |issue=1 |pages=127–164 |doi=10.1016/s0016-6995(97)80263-x |bibcode=1997Geobi..30..127G |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280858487}}</ref>
* ''[[Acinonyx pleistocaenicus]]'' by Zdansky in 1925<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Jiangzuo |first1=Q. |last2=Wang |first2=Y. |last3=Madurell-Malapeira |first3=J. |last4=Bartolini Lucenti |first4=S. |last5=Li |first5=S. |last6=Wang |first6=S. |last7=Li |first7=Z. |last8=Yang |first8=R. |last9=Jia |first9=Y. |last10=Zhang |first10=L. |last11=Chen |first11=S. |last12=Jin |first12=C. |last13=Wang |first13=Y. |last14=Liu |first14=J. |year=2024 |title=Massive early Middle Pleistocene cheetah from eastern Asia shed light onto the evolution of ''Acinonyx'' in Eurasia |journal=Quaternary Science Reviews |volume=332 |at=108661 |doi=10.1016/j.quascirev.2024.108661|bibcode=2024QSRv..33208661J }}</ref>
* ''[[Acinonyx pleistocaenicus]]'' by Zdansky in 1925<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Jiangzuo |first1=Q. |last2=Wang |first2=Y. |last3=Madurell-Malapeira |first3=J. |last4=Bartolini Lucenti |first4=S. |last5=Li |first5=S. |last6=Wang |first6=S. |last7=Li |first7=Z. |last8=Yang |first8=R. |last9=Jia |first9=Y. |last10=Zhang |first10=L. |last11=Chen |first11=S. |last12=Jin |first12=C. |last13=Wang |first13=Y. |last14=Liu |first14=J. |year=2024 |title=Massive early Middle Pleistocene cheetah from eastern Asia shed light onto the evolution of ''Acinonyx'' in Eurasia |journal=Quaternary Science Reviews |volume=332 |article-number=108661 |doi=10.1016/j.quascirev.2024.108661|bibcode=2024QSRv..33208661J }}</ref>
The [[Asiatic cheetah]] ("''Acinonyx jubatus venaticus"'') is part of the last surviving lineages that are outside of [[Africa]]. Recent genetic studies have shown that this [[subspecies]] separated from African populations roughly 32,000 to 67,000 years ago, suggesting a prolonged adaptation to dry landscapes.<ref name=":13"/>


The "Linxia Cheetah" ([[Acinonyx kurteni|"''A. kurteni''"]]) was initially described by Christiansen and Mazák in 2009 on the basis of a skull from Pliocene strata in China, and touted as the most primitive member of the genus.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Christiansen |first1=P. |last2=Mazák |first2=J. H. |title=A primitive Late Pliocene cheetah, and evolution of the cheetah lineage |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |volume=106 |pages=512–515 |year=2009 |doi=10.1073/pnas.0810435106 |pmid=19114651 |issue=2 |pmc=2626734|bibcode=2009PNAS..106..512C |doi-access=free }} {{Retracted|doi=10.1073/pnas.1211510109|pmid=22908293|http://retractionwatch.com/2012/08/20/author-retracts-pnas-about-alleged-pliocine-cheetah-fossil-that-had-been-questioned/ ''Retraction Watch''|intentional=yes <!-- text of article explains that this is now invalid -->}}</ref> In 2012, "''A. kurteni''" was invalidated as a species when the [[holotype]] was determined to be a forgery composed of Miocene-aged fragments.<ref>{{Cite web |last = Knevitt | first = O. | title=Five Greatest Palaeontology Fakes Of All Time #5: The Linxia Cheetah | publisher = Science 2.0 |year=2011 |url=http://www.science20.com/between_death_and_data/5_greatest_palaeontology_fakes_all_time_5_linxia_cheetah  | access-date = 13 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | author = Mazák, J. H.| title = Retraction for Christiansen and Mazák. A primitive Late Pliocene cheetah, and evolution of the cheetah lineage |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |volume=109 |issue=37 |pages=15072 |year=2012 |pmid= 22908293 |doi=10.1073/pnas.1211510109 |pmc=3443189| bibcode = 2012PNAS..10915072. | doi-access = free }}</ref>
The "Linxia Cheetah" ([[Acinonyx kurteni|"''A. kurteni''"]]) was initially described by Christiansen and Mazák in 2009 on the basis of a skull from Pliocene strata in China, and touted as the most primitive member of the genus.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Christiansen |first1=P. |last2=Mazák |first2=J. H. |title=A primitive Late Pliocene cheetah, and evolution of the cheetah lineage |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |volume=106 |pages=512–515 |year=2009 |doi=10.1073/pnas.0810435106 |pmid=19114651 |issue=2 |pmc=2626734|bibcode=2009PNAS..106..512C |doi-access=free }} {{Retracted|doi=10.1073/pnas.1211510109|pmid=22908293|http://retractionwatch.com/2012/08/20/author-retracts-pnas-about-alleged-pliocine-cheetah-fossil-that-had-been-questioned/ ''Retraction Watch''|intentional=yes <!-- text of article explains that this is now invalid -->}}</ref> In 2012, "''A. kurteni''" was invalidated as a species when the [[holotype]] was determined to be a forgery composed of Miocene-aged fragments.<ref>{{Cite web |last = Knevitt | first = O. | title=Five Greatest Palaeontology Fakes Of All Time #5: The Linxia Cheetah | publisher = Science 2.0 |year=2011 |url=http://www.science20.com/between_death_and_data/5_greatest_palaeontology_fakes_all_time_5_linxia_cheetah  | access-date = 13 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | author = Mazák, J. H.| title = Retraction for Christiansen and Mazák. A primitive Late Pliocene cheetah, and evolution of the cheetah lineage |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |volume=109 |issue=37 |pages=15072 |year=2012 |pmid= 22908293 |doi=10.1073/pnas.1211510109 |pmc=3443189| bibcode = 2012PNAS..10915072. | doi-access = free }}</ref>
The extended duration and broad range of [[Fossil|fossil records]] suggests the long [[evolution]]ary presence across the old world into the present day. The fossils also suggest how the genus Acinonyx once ranged widely across [[Eurasia]], eventually population declining to climatic shifts and the habitat being broken into different locations due to human activities.<ref name=":02"/>


== See also ==
== See also ==
*[[American cheetah]]s of the related genus ''Miracinonyx''
*[[Miracinonyx|American cheetahs]] of the related genus ''Miracinonyx''


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 13:58, 14 November 2025

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Automatic taxobox

Acinonyx is a genus that is within the Felidae family,[1] also known as the cat family. The only living species of the genus and most commonly known, the cheetah (A. jubatus) inhabits the open grasslands of Africa and Asia along with parts of Iran.[2] This genus represents a highly adapted lineage within the felids, which specialize in speed and open-terrain hunting. Evidence suggest the Acinonyx genus evolved from other feline ancestors early on, to become specialized in stealth and running.[3]

The main reasons for all but one species going extinct revolve around climate changes, humans driving these species out of their habitats, and their prey populations shrinking. Climate drastically changed starting in the Pleistocene period, making it difficult to survive in open terrain and grasslands upon which these cats depend.[4] Human civilization also began to change and expand resulting in lots of these species to lose their home or hunting grounds. This also forced some species to be isolated making reproducing more difficult.[3] Another factor of humans expanding was the lack of prey for these cats; their prey were eating being hunted by humans or being forced from their habitats. These problems played a huge role in the extinction of the species in the genus Acinonyx other than the cheetah (A. jubatus).[1]

Fossil remains related to cheetah-like cats were excavated that date back to the late Pliocene and Middle Pleistocene,[5] indicating a wide time range. These cats occurred across much of the old world 10,000 years ago, some extinct species such as A. pardinenesis and A. intermedius were found in parts of Europe and Asia.[4] Several similar species classified in the genus Miracinonyx lived in North America at the same time; these may have been more closely related to the genus Puma.[2]

A primary characteristic of this genus are bodies adapted for speed and swiftness; however the species at the time were much different in morphology. Species found 10,000 years ago show a large and vigorous build for these cats compared to the modern day Cheetah which has accommodated to fast prey, with a much slimmer build used for a quick pursuit.[4] Species within the Acinonyx genus are also unable to retract their claws fully, this can be a disadvantage in some cases. However claws give extra traction while running.[6]

Taxonomy

Acinonyx was proposed by Joshua Brookes in 1828.[7]

The word Acinonyx is greek, the first portion of "akinetos" translates to "unmoved" or "motionless" and the second portion "onyx" translates to "nail" or "claw".[8] Which represents one the main traits used to recognize this genus, not being able to retract their claws fully.[6]

Between the late 18th century and the early 20th century, the following Acinonyx species and subspecies were described:[1]

In 1993, Acinonyx was placed in the monophyletic subfamily Acinonychinae. Molecular phylogenetic analysis has shown that it is the sister group of the genus Puma, and it is now placed within the subfamily Felinae.[1]

In addition, the following fossil Acinonyx species were described:

The Asiatic cheetah ("Acinonyx jubatus venaticus") is part of the last surviving lineages that are outside of Africa. Recent genetic studies have shown that this subspecies separated from African populations roughly 32,000 to 67,000 years ago, suggesting a prolonged adaptation to dry landscapes.[6]

The "Linxia Cheetah" ("A. kurteni") was initially described by Christiansen and Mazák in 2009 on the basis of a skull from Pliocene strata in China, and touted as the most primitive member of the genus.[17] In 2012, "A. kurteni" was invalidated as a species when the holotype was determined to be a forgery composed of Miocene-aged fragments.[18][19]

The extended duration and broad range of fossil records suggests the long evolutionary presence across the old world into the present day. The fossils also suggest how the genus Acinonyx once ranged widely across Eurasia, eventually population declining to climatic shifts and the habitat being broken into different locations due to human activities.[4]

See also

References

Template:Reflist

Template:Carnivora Template:Feliformia Template:Taxonbar Template:Authority control

  1. ↑ a b c d Template:MSW3 Wozencraft
  2. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1". Template:Retracted
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
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