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1. Descent with modification is shown in the family Mustelidae by parents passing down traits to their offspring such as behavior characteristics, physical, or DNA.
2. Stabilizing natural selection is shown because those with extreme phenotypes tend to struggle more than those with moderate.

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Type of speciation- Gradulal equalimbrium
Type of evolution- Divergent

Evolutionary mechanisms

Isolation and random and non random mating plays a role in the evolution of the family

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- All mustelids use delayed implantation
- The embryo stays in mommy until after hibernation
- This shows evolution because all the species in the family mustelidae undergo this

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All Mustelids have scent glands which can produce repellent smells and help distinguish the different species

They all have similar body types, being long, small, and short legs

This shows the common the anatomy shared by all the species in the Mustelidae family, showing evolution.

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Species in the family Mustelidae have very similar DNA, such as the Wesel and Ferret. This shows evolution within in family.

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Some species in the family Mustelidae have the same number of chromosomes while others have different a chromosome number, which shows all the similarities between the species, while also showing the differences, which demonstrates all of the evolved species within the family.

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Weasel, Otter, Marten, Badger, Sea mink, Tayra, American mink, Striped polecat, Feret badger, Chamitataxus

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Family Mustelidae (Weasels and relatives) | Lynx Edicions

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Plate 36 of Volume 1 Family Mustelidae (Weasels and relatives)

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They all have a loss of the second up molar.

They all have a loss of a carnassial on their fourth upper premolar.

They all have 5 fingers and non- retractile nails.

Thick fur

Round ears

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Most are nocturnal or diurnal

The narrow body species move very agile and fast while the rounder body species move more heavy and slowly

Some are skillful swimmers while others are skillful climbers

Communication:

Through visual, chemical, acoustic, tactile, and marks of scent

Obtaining food:

Mainly Carnivores

Mainly obtain food due to the availability

Main source of food: small rodents found in the species burrow and aquatic prey

Their biggest predators are snakes, owls, and large carnivores

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1. Common name: Badger
2. Location and  habitat

Found in the west coast, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana

Also can be found in Southern Canada

They live in open and flat lands such as Plains, Farmlands, and prairies

3. Physical characteristics

They have a flat body and short legs

They have a triangular face with a pointy nose and small ears

The American Badger has long dark fur with stripes

They have pointy sharp claws that help the badger hunt

4.  Behavioral characteristics

Young badgers are very playful and will be seen playing games such as leap frog with eachother

Badgers use scent marks

Badgers collect and dig their setts (their den) during spring and summer

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BBC Nature - Badger videos, news and facts

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Badgers are nocturnal and elusive, but remain one of the UK's favourite mammals.

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1. Common name: Sea Otter

2. Location and Habitat

Can be found living in lakes, wetlands, marine coasts, streams, etc.

Live in the Northern American Coast

The only specific requirement is good water quality and food supply for the Otter

3. Physical characteristics (internal & external)

Otter's anatomy allows Otters to be able to live both on kand and in the water

They have slim and long bodies made up of short limbs with webbed paws which allow the otter to move easily and keep balance

They have very long tails which allow them to move and steer through the water

They have very strong senses of smell, eyesight, and hearing, with additional whiskers that further help their senses

4. Behavior Characteristic

Spend majority of time in the water and gathering food

They are commonly seen carrying rocks because they use to rocks to break apart food which is very unique to the Sea Otter because they are one of the only species besides primates that use tools.

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1:  Common name : Weasel

2.  Location and habitat

Mostly found in Central and Western Europe

Also found in Eastern Med

Found living in grasslands, sand dunes, farms, forests, and towns

Only specific habitat requirement is available food

3. Physical characteristics

Weasels are usually 20-25 centimeters long

Their body is long and slender with very short legs

Weasels have brown fur on their back and white fur all underneath them

They have very good ear sight and hearing which helps them hunt

4. Behavioral characteristics

They are very good climbers

They often raid bird nests and other small creatures homes and eat the young

Each weasel has their own territory which are marked with scent marks

Females always remain in their territory while males travel to mate

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Meaning of the dream in which you saw - weasel

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1. Name of fossil: Repenomamus

Age of fossil: Paelo
http://www.fossilmuseum.net/paleo/paleoposts/Paleobiology/Repenomamus.htm

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2. Name of fossil: Castorocauda lutrasimilis

Age of fossil: Paelo

http://www.fossilmuseum.net/paleo/paleoposts/Paleobiology/Castorocauda.htm

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3. Name of fossil: Mustela vison

Age of fossil: Holocene to Pleistocene

http://www.fossilmuseum.net/Fossil_Galleries/Mammalia/mustela-vison/mustela.htm

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4. Name of fossil: Ernanodon

Age of fossil: 65 million years old, from  Palaeocene Epoch

http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/badger-fossil-may-hold-key-to-the-secrets-of-evolution-1-2491991

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5. Name of fossil: Mustela nigripes (black-footed ferret)
Age of fossil: 750,000–850,000 years old

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The fossils show that all the species in the family descend from a common ancestor due to their similarities in ancient fossils.