Review of Fossa:
Fossa
are amazingly unique creatures! Since I just did my presentation I thought it
would be great to do a small review!
In
terms of taxonomy the Fossa are descended from/ most closely related to the mongoose.
In terms of convergent evolution the fossa have feline and canine features, and
have tails much like a monkey, which are analogous structures. In terms of
divergent evolution, fossa have homologous structures that are similar to the mongoose,
which can be seen when looking at their skeletons.
All of
the Malagasy carnivores are thought to have evolved from a single ancestor that
colonized Madagascar from mainland Africa, 18-24 million years ago. Fossil reveal that there used to be a larger
type of fossa that existed that was estimated to be 17 kg and 6 m long.
The
classification is Animalia, Chordata, Mammalia, Carnivora, Eupleridae, Cryptoprocta, cryptoprocta ferox. The
Fossa do have a relationship with humans however is it slightly negative.
Because the fossa have been losing their living spaces, they have been forced
to start inhabiting areas where humans live. Here, the fossa are hunted by
farmers who want to protect their livestock from the fossa. Humans have also
introduced dogs into Madagascar, which have brought unfamiliar diseases like
rabies. People are working to raise the awareness of how important the fossa
are, and that they should be protected.
Fossa
are carnivores and eat mainly lemurs, tenrecs, and small rodents. They sometime
shunt in pairs (2 fossa form the same litter). Hunting in parties is a
developed sociality, yet fossa that are born alone in their litter still hunt
alone. They are active both during the day and the night.
They
mate during September and October, with a very unique mating ritual where they
have the males fight at the bottom of the tree, with the females at the top for
about a week.
These animals are amazing and very
special to Madagascar! (Both the movie and the country!).
-
Joanna Langner
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