Pygmy Lion

The Pygmy Lion

Classification and where it was discovered

Panthera pumilus

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Felidae

Subfamily: Pantherinae

Genus: Panthera

Species: pumilus

Movement

It was discovered deep in the jungles of the Congo in central Africa

The pygmy lion, like its larger cousin, is a fearsome hunter. The animal possesses strong muscles and bones

The skeletal and muscular system of the pygmy lion is what allows it to be an fearsome hunter

The skeletal system

Muscular system

The animal has strong bones and possesses a unique advantage that other predators of its size don`t have.The bones in their forepaws are twisted in such a manner to give them the lion greater range of motion while running

The lion has four very muscular limbs. Overall, their body is very muscular and lean and with amounts of low body fat. Their tail is made of muscle, and is used for balance

Homeostasis

Physical characteristics and body systems

Many of the lion`s body systems work together to maintain homeostasis. For example when the pygmy lion is hunting the circulatory and respiratory systems will work harder to supply the muscular system with sufficient oxygen

The pygmy lion has the head and several characteristics of a lion but it is about the size of a dog

Its smaller size allows it to retain its fearsome predatory habits without being blocked by the trees and vines in its jungle habitat

The Nervous system

Circulatory and Respiratory System

Genetics

Like other animals, the pygmy lion, has a central and peripheral nervous system consisting of neurons

The pygmy lion has a closed circulatory system similar to other mammals. It has a four chambered heart that does not allow oxygen-poor blood to mix with oxygen-rich blood

Digestive System

The central nervous system consists of a brain and a spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system consists of the rest of the body`s nerves.

The pygmy lion also has a respiratory system similar to other mammals consisting of lungs where carbon dioxide and oxygen are exchanged at little air sacs called alveoli

The pygmy lion has a very simple digestive system that is similar to ours. First food goes to the stomach, then it goes to the small intestine, then it goes to the large intestine, and finally any leftover material is carried out of the body.

The pygmy lion has 38 chromosomes much like its larger relative, the African lion. Like all organisms, the pygmy lion has a double helix-shaped DNA containing the bases A,C,G,T.

These two system work together to supply the body with oxygen

The pygmy lion is genetically very close to the lion and other big cats such as the tiger. As with other animals it passes on its genes via sexual reproduction.

The genetic adaptations have allowed the pygmy lion to be a more efficient than its larger relatives

Evolutionary Story

The pygmy lion`s closest related relative is the african lion. It is safe to assume that the pygmy lion and the african lion share a relatively recent common ancestor.

The pygmy lion most likely evolved separately than the rest of the lion population in Africa due to the Congo jungle separating the populations. Here the pygmy lion ancestor mated with dogs that the early humans had and grew smaller to make it easier to navigate in the thick jungle

Works cited

By Daniel Domingues

African Lion. (2012, April 2). Retrieved May 18, 2015, from http://africanlion2.blogspot.com/

African Lions, African Lion Pictures, African Lion Facts, African Cats - National Geographic. (n.d.). Retrieved May 18, 2015, from http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/african-lion/

Wyatt, C. (n.d.). Lions 101. Retrieved May 18, 2015, from http://allaboutlions101.weebly.com/

African Lion. (2008, February 7). Retrieved May 18, 2015, from http://placentation.ucsd.edu/lionfs.htm