Procyonidae

Encyclopedia : P : PR : PRO : Procyonidae

Procyonidae is a family of Carnivora which includes the raccoons, coatis and others.

There is considerable uncertainty over the correct classification of several members. The Red Panda was previously classified in this family, but some experts, including Don E. Wilson and DeeAnn M. Reeder, classify it as a member of the bear family (Ursidae) or in its own family the Ailuridae. The status of the various olingos is disputed: they may all be better regarded as subspecies of Bassaricyon gabbi.

Because of their general build, the Procyonidae are often viewed as smaller cousins of the bear family. This is apparent in their German names: a raccoon is called a Waschbär (washing bear, as he "washes" his food before eating), a coati is a Nasenbär (nose-bear) while a Kinkajou is a Honigbär (honey-bear). Dutch follows suit, calling the animals wasbeer, neusbeer and rolstaartbeer respectively.

FAMILY PROCYONIDAE
Subfamily Procyoninae (9 species in 4 genera)
* Raccoons, Procyon
** Crab-eating Raccoon, Procyon cancrivorus
** Tres Marias Raccoon, Procyon insularis
** Common Raccoon, Procyon lotor
* Coatis, Nasua
** Coatimundi or Ringtailed Coati, Nasua nasua
** White-nosed Coati, Nasua narica
** Cozumel Island Coati, Nasua nelsoni
* Mountain Coatis, Nasuella
** Mountain Coati, Nasuella olivacea
* Ringtails and Cacomistles, Bassariscus
** Ringtail, Bassariscus astutus
** Cacomistle, Bassariscus sumichrasti
Subfamily Potosinae (6 species in 2 genera)
* Kinkajous, Potos
** Kinkajou, Potos flavus
* Olingos, Bassaricyon
** Olingo, Bushy-tailed Olingo or Gabbi's Olingo, Bassaricyon gabbii
** Allen's Olingo, Bassaricyon alleni
** Beddard's Olingo, Bassaricyon beddardi
** Harris's Olingo, Bassaricyon lasius
** Chiriqui Olingo, Bassaricyon pauli

From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Original article here. Support Wikipedia by contributing or donating.
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License See Wikipedia Copyrights for details.