Felinae

The Felinae is a subfamily of the Felidae family. It includes small cats and a few medium-large cats, especially the cougar (Puma concolor) and the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus).

Felinae
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Carnivora
Suborder:	Feliformia
Family:	Felidae
Subfamily:	Felinae

Genetic classification

There is now a precise classification for the living members of the subfamily based on genetic research.^[1][2][3] These genetic lineages have been identified:^[4]

• Lineage 1A: Pardofelis (marbled cat) and Catopuma (Bornean bay cat, and Asian golden cat)
• Lineage 1B: Leptailurus (serval), Caracal, Profelis (African golden cat)
• Lineage 2: Leopardus: small spotted cats of Central and South America. Best known is the ocelot; also the guigna, margay, and Andean mountain cat
• Lineage 3: Lynx
• Lineage 4: Puma, Acinonyx (the cheetah)
• Lineage 5: Prionailurus (spotted Asian wildcats), Otocolobus (Pallas's cat), leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata), rusty-spotted cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus),^[5] fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps)
• Lineage 6: Felis: the domestic cat and its nearest relatives. Widespread in Africa, Asia and Europe, notably the jungle cat, sand cat, and the wildcat. African wildcat (Felis silvestris lybica), black-footed cat (Felis negripes), Chinese mountain cat (Felis bieti)