Felinae facts for kids

The Felinae is a subfamily of the Felidae. It includes small cats and a few medium-large cats, especially the cougar (Puma concolor) and the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus).

Genetic classification

There is now a precise classification for the living members of the subfamily based on genetic research. These genetic lineages have been identified:

Lineage 1A: Pardofelis (marbled cat) and Catopuma (Bornean bay cat, and Asian golden cat)
Lineage 1B: Leptailurus (serval), Caracal, Profelis (African golden cat)
Lineage 2: Leopardus: small spotted cats of Central and South America. Best known is the ocelot; also the guigna, margay, and Andean mountain cat
Lineage 3: Lynx
Lineage 4: Puma, Acinonyx (the cheetah)
Lineage 5: Prionailurus (spotted Asian wildcats), Otocolobus (Pallas's cat), leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata), rusty-spotted cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus), fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps)
Lineage 6: Felis: the domestic cat and its nearest relatives. Widespread in Africa, Asia and Europe, notably the jungle cat, sand cat, and the wildcat. African wildcat (Felis silvestris lybica), black-footed cat (Felis negripes), Chinese mountain cat (Felis bieti)