family Viverrinae
Proper noun A taxonomic family within the order Carnivora. This family comprises small to medium-sized carnivorous mammals, including civets, genets, and mongooses. Members of this family are characterized by their long bodies, short legs, and often distinctive scent glands.
"Family Viverrinae" is a scientific term used primarily in biological and zoological contexts. It refers to a specific, formal classification group. In modern taxonomy, this group is often considered a subfamily (Viverrinae) within the family Viverridae. The term is always capitalized.
- The family Viverrinae includes species found in Africa, southern Europe, and Asia.
- Zoologists study the evolutionary relationships within the family Viverrinae.
- The common genet is a member of the family Viverrinae.
- Phylogenetic context: In contemporary cladistics, "Viverrinae" is frequently used to denote a subfamily, making "family Viverridae" the more encompassing term. Therefore, one might say, "Civets belong to the subfamily Viverrinae of the family Viverridae."
- Viverridae (n): The broader family name that often includes the Viverrinae as a subfamily, along with other subfamilies like Paradoxurinae (palm civets) and Hemigalinae.
- Viverrine (adj): Of or relating to the Viverridae family or the Viverrinae subfamily. (e.g., ).
- Civet (n): A common name for many species within the Viverrinae/Viverridae, known for their scent glands.
- Genet (n): A type of small, cat-like carnivore within this group.
- Mongoose (n): While some mongooses were historically placed here, most are now classified in the separate family Herpestidae.
- Civet family (common, informal name)
- Viverrids (informal term for members of the family Viverridae, which includes this group)
The scope and definition of "Family Viverrinae" have changed with advances in genetic analysis. Historically, it was a broader category. Its current, more precise usage reflects evolutionary relationships rather than just morphological similarities.
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genets; civets; mongooses
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