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、下颌骨与牙列的线性形态测量学方法，探究35种现生猫科动物（Felidae）的颅齿形态与猎物体型之间的关联。为达成该研究目标，我们将现生猫科动物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）混合猎物捕食者。基于上述线性测量数据，大型猎物专食型猫科动物可通过其相对粗壮的犬齿与门齿、更宽阔的吻部，与小型和混合猎物捕食者区分开来。由于猫科动物在捕杀大型猎物时会采取扼颈动作，上述颅部特征在制服大型猎物时具备优势：粗壮的犬齿可抵御猎物挣扎时产生的弯曲与扭转作用力，而更宽阔的吻部则有助于在致命咬击时稳固咬合，并更均匀地分配咬合力。小型猎物专食者则拥有更小的犬齿、更狭窄的吻部与稍长的颌骨，以便在捕捉敏捷的小型猎物时获得速度优势。混合猎物捕食者的特征介于大型与小型猎物专食者之间，表明其适应捕杀两种体型的猎物。鉴于本项针对不同猎物体型特化的现生猫科动物的生态形态学分析已取得成功，我们期待将该方法应用于已灭绝的猫科物种研究中。