Phylogeny and evolution of cats (Felidae)

This authoritative review chapter synthesizes the evolutionary history and phylogeny of the cat family, integrating fossil evidence with molecular data to present a comprehensive picture of how cats diversified. It traces the origins of Felidae from early forms such as Proailurus and the Pseudaelurus grade, the deep split between the conical-toothed Felinae and the sabertoothed Machairodontinae, and the subsequent radiations that produced living lineages and extinct giants alike. The chapter reviews the major fossil taxa, the relationships among modern cats established by genetic studies, and the biogeographic patterns of felid dispersal across continents. Frequently cited as a standard reference, it consolidates the state of knowledge on cat evolution and provides the broad systematic framework within which studies of individual fossil felids, from sabertooths to pantherines, are interpreted.