What shared morphological traits distinguish members of Family Mustelidae from other carnivores?
Answer
Elongated bodies and five toes per foot
Members of the family Mustelidae, which houses weasels, otters, badgers, and wolverines, share specific physical characteristics that help define their familial grouping. A defining feature is their typically elongated body structure combined with short legs, an arrangement highly effective for pursuing prey deep within burrows or dense cover. Furthermore, they possess a consistent trait of having five toes on each foot, often accompanied by non-retractile claws. This body plan is considered the characteristic mustelid morphology, distinguishing them from other families within Carnivora, even those they share ancestry with.
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