Taylor M E
J Morphol. 1976 Feb;148(2):227-54. doi: 10.1002/jmor.1051480208.
The functional anatomy of the hindlimb of 12 species of viverrids was studied with relation to locomotion. The animals were allocated to primary locomotor categories on the basis of their anatomy and locomotion. The climbing, arboreal walking category (Nandinia binotata) is characterized by a small sacroiliac articulation, the iliopsoas inserts onto a medially located lesser trochanter and the femoral condyles are not posteriorly placed. The hindfoot is plantigrade and its structure permits considerable movement. The pads are soft and the claws retractile. Representatives of the arboreal and terrestrial walking and jumping category (Genetta genetta, G. servalina, G. tigrina) have a plantigrade forefoot and digitigrade hindfoot. The lesser trochanter is more posteriorly placed than in the climbing category. A previously undescribed muscle, the caudofemoralis profundus extends from several anterior caudal vertebrae to the femur. The tibio-astragular joint restricts supination of the foot. There is little mediolateral movement in the digitidgrade foot. The claws are retractile. In the general terrestrial walking and scrambling group (Helogale parvula, Mungos mungo, Atilax paludinosus, Bdeogale crassicauda, Herpestes ichneumon, H. sanguineus) the animals have essentially similar hindlimbs except for size differences and modifications to the feet. Helogale and Mungos have large medial epicondyles on the humerus and large terminal phalanges. Bdeogale has a vestigial first metatarsal, while Atilax can splay its digits. In all species the distal phalanges are non-retractile. The trotting category (Civettictis civetta, Ichneumia albicauda) is characterized by longer epipodials and metapodials and a more proximal position of muscle bellies. Most of the adaptations minimize rotation, adduction and abduction of the leg and supination of the foot. The metatarsals are closely adjoined and the distal phalanx is stout and non-retractile. There appear to be two levels of locomotory adaptation. Major adaptations affect the whole appendicular skeleton and are used to assign animals to primary locomotor categories. Minor adaptations occur mainly in the foot and indicate the more specific habits of the animal.
对12种灵猫科动物后肢的功能解剖进行了研究，以探讨其与运动方式的关系。根据动物的解剖结构和运动方式，将它们分为主要的运动类别。攀爬、树栖行走类（非洲林狸）的特征是骶髂关节较小，髂腰肌附着于内侧位置的小转子，股骨髁不在后方。后足为跖行式，其结构允许相当大的活动。脚垫柔软，爪子可伸缩。树栖和地面行走及跳跃类（普通灵猫、小斑灵猫、豹猫）的代表动物前足为跖行式，后足为趾行式。小转子比攀爬类动物的位置更靠后。一种以前未描述过的肌肉，即股后深肌，从几个前尾椎延伸至股骨。胫距关节限制了足部的旋后。趾行式足部的内外侧活动较少。爪子可伸缩。在一般地面行走和爬行类（侏獴、白尾獴、水獭灵猫、粗尾鼬狐猴、埃及獴、红颊獴）中，除了体型差异和足部的变化外，动物的后肢基本相似。侏獴和白尾獴肱骨上有大的内侧髁和大的末节趾骨。粗尾鼬狐猴第一跖骨退化，而水獭灵猫可以展开其趾。在所有物种中，末节趾骨不可伸缩。小跑类（麝猫、白尾獴）的特征是上肢骨和掌骨较长，肌腹位置更靠上。大多数适应性变化使腿部的旋转、内收和外展以及足部的旋后最小化。跖骨紧密相连，末节趾骨粗壮且不可伸缩。似乎存在两个层次的运动适应性变化。主要的适应性变化影响整个附肢骨骼，用于将动物归入主要的运动类别。次要的适应性变化主要发生在足部，表明动物更具体的习性。
