The smallest is the mouse deer, which weighs less than 2 pounds (1 kilogram) and stands up to 14 inches (35 centimeters) to the shoulder. American Museum Novitates 3344: 1-53. The majority live in relatively open habitats, such as plains and savannahs, but others dwell in … A Guide to the characteristics of Order Artiodactyla The artiodactyls are a large and remarkably diverse group of mammals, containing around 220 living species placed in 10 families. They are huge aquatic animals live in seas and oceans , the fore limbs are modified into paddle-like structures for swimming and the hind limbs are disappeared . What does artiodactyla mean? and hog-like ungulates (Hippopotamidœ, Suidœ, etc. The species in this order are herbivores and have an even number of toes. Artiodactyla is an order of even-toed mammals that walk on their toenails (unguis). Gentry, A. W. and J. J. Hooker. The phylogeny of the Artiodactyla. Because there are as many as 227 species of artiodactyls (ar-tee-oh-DACK-tuhlz), they vary greatly in physical characteristics. This and the other order of hoofed mammals, the Perissodactyla, are collectively called ungulates. Most of the species in this order live in open habitats like grasslands and plains, but some live in forested areas. Distinguishing characteristics • Paraxonic limb structure. Distinguishing characteristics • Two main types of foot structure: a cloven hoof (2 toes) and a spreading foot with 4 toes. EVEN-TOED UNGULATES: Artiodactyla PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS. Order : Cetacea. It also contains some of the larger and slower-moving mammals, such as hippos and pigs. The word “Artiodactyla” (“ARtee-o-dak’-ti-la”) comes from the Greek words “artios”, meaning even, and “dactylos”,referring to the toe. artiodactyla An order or a suborder of ungulate or hoofed mammals which are cloven-footed or even-toed and have hoofs in pairs (either two or four), as all ruminants (Bovidœ, Cervidœ, etc.) This order includes some extremely fast mammals, such as the antelopes and pronghorns. Hystricognath rodents (Hystricomorpha): There are about 300 species of hystricognath rodents alive today. There are about 220 species in this order in 10 families. ... Each ToL branch page provides a synopsis of the characteristics of a group of organisms representing a branch of the Tree of Life. Distribution. The order contains 10 families and about 220 species. Order : Artiodactyla. Order Artiodactyla: Even-toed Ungulates. 1988. The Artiodactyla. They are native to all of the continents except for Australia and Antarctica. A taxonomic order within the superorder Laurasiatheria — the even-toed ungulates. Members of this group include gundis, Old World porcupines, dassie rats, cane rats, New World porcupines, agoutis, acouchis, pacas, tuco-tucos, spiny rats, chinchilla rats, nutrias, cavies, capybaras, guinea pigs, and many others. ): opposed to odd-toed ungulates or Perissodactyla, as the horse, rhinoceros, tapir, etc. Distinguishing characteristics • In all cases, the 3rd and 4and 4th digits are well digits are well Most of the artiodactyla have four-chamber stomachs. New morphological evidence for the phylogeny of Artiodactyla, Cetacea, and Mesonychidae. These animals are herbivores , They are even-toed , Each toe is coated with a horny hoof , Such as sheep , Goats , Giraffe , Deer and Camels .