Pads morphology in the Viverridae [Carnivora]

A survey of the morphology of pads within the Viverridae has been related to locomotion, ecology, ethology and to other morphological features. Species with digiti­grade hind foot are lacking metatarsal pads, have an elongated pes, a short tail, and non retractile claws. They are terrestrial and their fur is spotted. Species with planti­grade hind foot, have broad and long metatarsal pads, which form a bare sole. They have retractile claws, a long tail, and fur with few markings or are one-coloured. They are arboreal and most of them are omnivorous or fruit-eaters. The genets and Poiana are intermediate forms because they have digitigrade feet, but possess long metatarsal pads, retractile claws, a long tail and spotted coat. However, some of them are close to the plantigrade state and have a plantigrade manus. The form of the pes of the genets is an adaptation for jumping. Prionodon is arboreal but have no metatarsal pads and is digitigrade. The ancestral condition is assumed to be plantigrady and arboreality and the presence of all the pads, which could be approach by some genets or Poiana, while the morphology of the foot of the Paradoxurinae, Nandinia and Cryptoprocta seems to be a secondary condition.