Family SUIDAE
Compiler and date details
December 2010 - Updated by Stephen M. Jackson, c/- Queensland Museum, Brisbane, following Van Dyck & Strahan (2008)
J.A. Mahoney & D.W. Walton (1988); updated by Barry J. Richardson (1999), Centre for Biostructural and Biomolecular Research, University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury
Introduction
The family Suidae, order Artiodactyla, contains the swine. The group is not native to Australia though one species has been introduced, Sus scrofa.
The dental formula is 1-3/3, 1/1, 2-4/2-4, 3/3 = 34-44. The upper canines grow continuously, curving outwards to form tusks. A postorbital bar is not present as the processes of the frontals and jugals do not meet. The metapodials are unfused and four digits are found on each foot. Horns are not present on animals of either sex.
Most species are omnivorous and a two-chambered stomach is present. The group was found originally in the Palaearctic, Oriental and Ethiopian faunal Regions, though the domestic pig has been distributed widely throughout the warmer parts of the world. Most species prefer forest or thick brush habitats.
General References
Groves, C.P. & Giles, J. 1989. Suidae. pp. 1044-1049 in Walton, D.W. & Richardson, B.J. (eds). Fauna of Australia. Mammalia. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 1B 827 pp.
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16-Dec-2010 | 16-Dec-2010 | MODIFIED | ||
| 12-Feb-2010 | (import) |