Family Ailuridae consists today of a single species, the red panda, which was once thought to be included in the Procyonidae or Ursidae lineages, but is now placed in its own family along with a number of extinct species.
12.
The most recent molecular-trichotomy within the broad superfamily Musteloidea ( Flynn et al ., 2001 ) that also includes the Procyonidae ( raccoons ) and a group that further subdivides into the Mephitidae ( skunks ) and Mustelidae ( weasels ); but it is not a bear ( Ursidae ).
13.
Biol . 54 ( 2 ) pp . 317 337 ( see figure 3 therein if you have full access ), Red Panda's closest living relatives are Mephitidae ( skunks ) and Procyonidae ( raccoons, coatis, kinkajous, and the like ) of Musteloidea ( weasel ) superfamily; while the Giant Panda is closely related to bears and hence is placed in Ursidae ( bear ) family, superfamily Ursoidea.
14.
The superfamily Canoidea ( or suborder Caniformia ) Canidae ( wolves, dogs and foxes ), Mephitidae ( skunks and stink badgers ), Mustelidae ( weasels, badgers, and otters ), Procyonidae ( raccoons ), Ursidae ( bears ), Ailuridae ( red panda ), Otariidae ( eared seals ), Odobenidae ( walrus ), and Phocidae ( earless seals ) ( the last three families formerly classified in the superfamily Pinnipedia ) and the extinct family Amphicyonidae ( bear-dogs ) are characterized by having nonchambered or partially chambered auditory bullae, nonretractable claws, and a well-developed baculum.
