Data from: Craniodental indicators of prey size preference in the Felidae

In the present study, we used linear morphometrics of the crania, mandible and dentition to explore the association between craniodental shape and prey size among 35 species of living felids. To accomplish this, felids were divided into three prey-size groups: (1) large prey specialists; (2) small prey specialists; and (3) mixed prey feeders. From these linear measurements, large prey specialist felids can be distinguished from small and mixed prey feeders by their relatively robust canines and incisors and relatively wide muzzles. These cranial characters are advantageous when dispatching large prey, due to the stranglehold that cats employ during this activity. Robust canines resist the bending and torsional forces applied by struggling prey and a wider muzzle helps to stabilize grip and distribute bite forces more evenly during the killing bite. Small prey specialists had smaller canines, narrower muzzles and slightly longer jaws for a speed advantage when catching small, quick prey. Mixed prey feeders were intermediate between large and small prey specialists, indicating they are adapted to killing both sizes of prey. Given the success of this ecomorphological analysis of living felids that specialize on different prey sizes, we look forward to applying this same approach to extinct species.本研究采用颅骨、下颌骨及牙列的线性形态测量法，探究35种现生猫科动物的颅齿形态与猎物体型间的关联。为此，我们将研究对象按猎物体型划分为三类：（1）大型猎物专食者；（2）小型猎物专食者；（3）混合型猎物捕食者。 通过上述线性测量数据，可通过相对粗壮的犬齿、门齿以及较宽的吻部，区分大型猎物专食型猫科动物与小型、混合型猎物捕食者。该类颅骨特征在制服大型猎物时具备优势：猫科动物在猎杀大型猎物时会采取锁喉动作，粗壮的犬齿可抵御猎物挣扎产生的弯曲与扭转力，较宽的吻部则有助于稳固咬合，并在致命咬击时更均匀地分配咬合力。 小型猎物专食者则拥有更细小的犬齿、更窄的吻部与稍长的下颌，以在捕捉敏捷的小型猎物时获得速度优势。混合型猎物捕食者的特征介于大型与小型猎物专食者之间，表明其适配猎杀两种体型的猎物。 鉴于本次针对不同猎物体型特化的现生猫科动物生态形态分析取得成功，我们期待将该方法应用于已灭绝猫科物种的研究中。