There are about 220 species in this order in 10 families. This and the other order of hoofed mammals, the Perissodactyla, are collectively called ungulates. The phylogeny of the Artiodactyla. They are native to all of the continents except for Australia and Antarctica. Order : Artiodactyla. The Artiodactyla. 1988. EVEN-TOED UNGULATES: Artiodactyla PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS. Distribution. The majority live in relatively open habitats, such as plains and savannahs, but others dwell in … ): opposed to odd-toed ungulates or Perissodactyla, as the horse, rhinoceros, tapir, etc. New morphological evidence for the phylogeny of Artiodactyla, Cetacea, and Mesonychidae. It also contains some of the larger and slower-moving mammals, such as hippos and pigs. ... Each ToL branch page provides a synopsis of the characteristics of a group of organisms representing a branch of the Tree of Life. This order includes some extremely fast mammals, such as the antelopes and pronghorns. and hog-like ungulates (Hippopotamidœ, Suidœ, etc. Distinguishing characteristics • In all cases, the 3rd and 4and 4th digits are well digits are well Members of this group include gundis, Old World porcupines, dassie rats, cane rats, New World porcupines, agoutis, acouchis, pacas, tuco-tucos, spiny rats, chinchilla rats, nutrias, cavies, capybaras, guinea pigs, and many others. The order contains 10 families and about 220 species. Order : Cetacea. A Guide to the characteristics of Order Artiodactyla The artiodactyls are a large and remarkably diverse group of mammals, containing around 220 living species placed in 10 families. Most of the artiodactyla have four-chamber stomachs. artiodactyla An order or a suborder of ungulate or hoofed mammals which are cloven-footed or even-toed and have hoofs in pairs (either two or four), as all ruminants (Bovidœ, Cervidœ, etc.) The word “Artiodactyla” (“ARtee-o-dak’-ti-la”) comes from the Greek words “artios”, meaning even, and “dactylos”,referring to the toe. American Museum Novitates 3344: 1-53. Order Artiodactyla: Even-toed Ungulates. What does artiodactyla mean? Hystricognath rodents (Hystricomorpha): There are about 300 species of hystricognath rodents alive today. They are huge aquatic animals live in seas and oceans , the fore limbs are modified into paddle-like structures for swimming and the hind limbs are disappeared . A taxonomic order within the superorder Laurasiatheria — the even-toed ungulates. Distinguishing characteristics • Two main types of foot structure: a cloven hoof (2 toes) and a spreading foot with 4 toes. Distinguishing characteristics • Paraxonic limb structure. Because there are as many as 227 species of artiodactyls (ar-tee-oh-DACK-tuhlz), they vary greatly in physical characteristics. These animals are herbivores , They are even-toed , Each toe is coated with a horny hoof , Such as sheep , Goats , Giraffe , Deer and Camels . The species in this order are herbivores and have an even number of toes. Artiodactyla is an order of even-toed mammals that walk on their toenails (unguis). The smallest is the mouse deer, which weighs less than 2 pounds (1 kilogram) and stands up to 14 inches (35 centimeters) to the shoulder. Most of the species in this order live in open habitats like grasslands and plains, but some live in forested areas. Gentry, A. W. and J. J. Hooker.