Alan H. Shoemaker

Riverbanks Zoological Park and Botanical Gardens, POB 1060, Columbia, SC 29202

Until recently, all species of felids, regardless of their size, were assigned to one of only a limited number of genera: Panthera, Acinonyx, Neofelis, Lynx, or Felis. The systematics of many species had been heavily impacted by "lumpers," as opposed to "splitters. " In most instances, large felids were included within the genera "Panthera" while small ones were called "Felis." Although in recent years this approach has been viewed within increasing intrepidation, recent taxonomic authorities continued to use this approach (Honacki et al., 1982; Corbet and Hill, 1991). Both sources acknowledged, however, that new or anticipated advances in taxonomy would very likely change the way specialists viewed the relationship of all members of the family Felidae; it was only a matter of time.

Legally, the protection afforded felids has grown as coverage by the expansion of both the U. S. Endangered Species Act and CITES expanded. Regulatory agencies and organizations both took a conservative taxonomic approach when preparing their lists of protected wildlife, defining most species of large cats as being members of the genus Panthera, and small cats as being members of the genus Felis.

In 1993, Wilson and Reeder published a major new taxonomic work entitled MAMMAL SPECIES OF THE WORLD: A TAXONOMIC AND GEOGRAPHIC REFERENCE. This work redefines the relationship of many species and genera of mammals, and in the process, greatly impacts felid taxonomy. Already their decisions have been accepted by officials at CITES officials and recent CITES publications of regulated wildlife place most small cats within new genera. These same taxonomic changes are expected to be adopted by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service in their next publication of Endangered and Threatened wildlife. Given the potential for impact that these changes have on all owners of felids, the following list provides both old and new nomenclature for all felids, as well as their present legal status under CITES regulations and U. S. law. It should be noted that under CITES regulations, all felids are protected under Appendix II regulations and only instances of Appendix I protection are listed below.

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Subfamily Acinonychinae

Subfamily Felinae

Subfamily Pantherinae

REFERENCES

Corbet, G. B.; Hill, J.E. A WORLD LIST OF MAMMAL SPECIES, THIRD EDITION. New York, Natural History Museum Publications, Oxford University Press, pp. 113-114, 1991.

Honacki, J. H.; Kinman, K. E.; J.W. Koeppl (eds.). MAMMAL SPECIES OF THE WORLD. Lawrence, KS, Allen Press, 1982.

Wilson. D. E.; D. M. Reeder. MAMMAL SPECIES OF THE WORLD: A TAXONOMIC GUIDE AND GEOGRAPHIC REFERENCE, SECOND EDITION. Washington, DC, Smithsonian Institution Press, 1993.