Comparing Cats: A Discussion of Similarities & Differences

[Charger01]

I was able to ask a few questions to a very knowledgeable researcher about modern and extinct felids. This is what he told me - 

I've taken the time to take a look at my database provided by multiple zoological collections and this is what I found: 

1. Scapula

In case of the scapula, also known as the shoulder bone, my database leans towards african lions to have larger scapula's than other Panthera cats but the difference is very limited and can (will) come down to the individuals in question. 


2. Forelimb bones and musculature

The ranking as per the forelimb bones: 
1. Panthera onca 
2. Panthera spelaea 
3. Neofelis 
4. Panthera tigris 
5. Panthera leo 

The difference between Panthera onca and the cave lion was limited, and the former showed slightly more developed muscle attachment. The difference in between Panthera tigris and Panthera leo was very little, but the former had muscle attachments that exceeded the latter by a sizeable amount. 


3. Ribcage width

Panthera onca had the widest ribcage followed by Panthera spelaea. Among the other three, tigers had the widest ribcages in-flesh but the difference was very small when comparing the skeletons themselves. 


4. Hindlimb bones and musculature

The difference between hindlimb robusticity was barely noticeable between the 5 species. 


Bengal tigers showed slightly bulkier builds than siberian tigers but they did not have more robust bones.

About the sample sizes, I am not allowed to share the exact numbers but I can tell you that all of them combined into one would normally result into over 60 specimens. Reply