Systematics of the Dog family (Canidae, Mammalia)

Porodica: Psi (Canidae) pripada sisavcima iz reda Carnivora (Zvijeri). Evolucija ove porodice započela je prije oko 40 mil. god. u kasnom eocenu, u Sjevernoj Americi. Raznolikost porodice obuhvaća dvije izumrle (Hesperocyoninae i Borophaginae) i jednu recentnu potporodicu (Caninae) sa 13 rodova i 37 vrsta. Psi su vjerojatno prve udomaćene životinje koje čovjeku vjerno služe sve do danas. U radu su prikazani sistematski položaj, filogenija i klasifikacija porodice pasa te opisane odabrane vrste lisica (Vulpes vulpes, Vulpes lagopus, Vulpes zerda); vukova (Canis lupus, Canis lupus arabs) i čagljeva (Canis adustus, Canis aureus, Canis mesomelas).The Dog Family (Canidae) belongs into the mammalian order Carnivora. Evolution of this family began in the late Eocene Epoch, about 40 million years ago in North America. The diversity of the family comprises two extinct (Hesperocyoninae and Borophaginae), and one extant subfamily (Caninae) with 13 genera and 37 species. Dogs are probably the first domesticated animals which are faitful to human up to present. Thesis presents systematic position, phylogeny and classification of the Dog Family with description of the selected species of foxes (Vulpes vulpes, Vulpes lagopus, Vulpes zerda); wolfs (Canis lupus, Canis lupus arabs) and jackals (Canis adustus, Canis aureus, Canis mesomelas)