Are hyenas related to cats? - briefly
Hyenas are not closely related to cats; they belong to the family Hyaenidae, which is more closely related to mongooses and civets within the suborder Feliformia.
Are hyenas related to cats? - in detail
Hyenas are not closely related to cats, despite some superficial similarities in appearance and behavior. Both hyenas and cats belong to the order Carnivora, but they are classified into different families within this order. Hyenas are members of the family Hyaenidae, while cats belong to the family Felidae. The evolutionary paths of these two families diverged millions of years ago, leading to distinct anatomical, behavioral, and ecological differences.
Hyenas share a more recent common ancestor with mongooses and civets, which are part of the suborder Feliformia, the same suborder that includes cats. However, this does not imply a close relationship. The Hyaenidae family evolved into a unique lineage, with adaptations such as powerful jaws for crushing bones and complex social structures, particularly in species like the spotted hyena. Cats, on the other hand, evolved specialized traits for stealth and hunting, including retractable claws and a highly flexible body structure.
Genetically, hyenas and cats are distinct, with significant differences in their DNA sequences. Studies of mitochondrial DNA and nuclear genes confirm that hyenas are not closely related to cats, despite their shared membership in the broader Carnivora order. The similarities between hyenas and cats, such as their carnivorous diets and some behavioral traits, are the result of convergent evolution rather than a shared ancestry. Convergent evolution occurs when unrelated species develop similar features independently in response to similar environmental pressures.
In summary, hyenas and cats are not closely related. They belong to different families within the Carnivora order and have followed separate evolutionary trajectories. While they share some traits due to their roles as predators, their genetic and anatomical differences highlight their distinct evolutionary histories.