A253 Ungulates
Ungulates are hoofed animals. Most use the tips of their toes to sustain their
entire body weight while moving. Under the Linnaeus classification system,
all were originally classified into one order, Ungulata. It was later split into two
orders: (1) the Perissodactyla, or odd-toed ungulates, which includes horses,
tapirs, and rhinoceri totaling 15 living species; and (2) the Artiodactyla, or eventoed
ungulates. It contains about 220 species that includes pigs, camels, hippopotamuses,
chevrotains, deer, giraffes, sheep, goats, cattle, and America’s
unique pronghorn antelope, the sole species in its family.
There is controversy regarding classification. Some scientists maintain that
ungulates are a cladistic (evolution-based) group. Others argue that they are a
phenetic group or folk taxon (similar, but not necessarily related) because not
all ungulates appear as closely related as once believed. Whatever the outcome
of this dispute, it is fairly certain that regardless of whatever classification
system eventually prevails, it will almost surely contain the same species.
This poster is divided into two sections, one for each of the two orders. Within
them, all of the families are explored.
|
|
