Editing Directional selection (section)

=== Large Felids ===
This study examines the role of lineage-specific directional selection on body size evolution in felids, revealing that several species, including those in the ''[[Panthera]]'' genus (lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, snow leopards), the cheetah, and the puma, exhibit evidence of directional selection favoring larger body mass. These larger body sizes are likely linked to hunting large prey and solitary hunting strategies, which favor physical strength and size. Conversely, the clouded leopard did not show evidence of directional selection for body size, suggesting different ecological pressures, and the jaguarundi showed no clear selection for smaller size despite being smaller than its relatives. These findings highlight that body size evolution in felids is not uniform and is strongly influenced by ecological factors such as prey size and hunting behavior. The study concludes that directional selection for increased body size is likely associated with the need for larger predators to capture large prey, and solitary hunting may accelerate this selection, although the evolutionary paths for different felid lineages can vary considerably.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Harano |first=Tomohiro |last2=Kutsukake |first2=Nobuyuki |date=2023-03-01 |title=Way to big cats: Directional selection in body size evolution in living felids |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10914-022-09639-z |journal=Journal of Mammalian Evolution |language=en |volume=30 |issue=1 |pages=97–108 |doi=10.1007/s10914-022-09639-z |issn=1573-7055|url-access=subscription }}</ref>