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Oxyaenid
Oxyaenidae ("sharp hyenas") is a family of extinct carnivorous placental mammals. Traditionally classified in order Creodonta, this group is now classified in its own order Oxyaenodonta ("sharp tooth hyenas") within clade Pan-Carnivora in mirorder Ferae. The group contains four subfamilies comprising fourteen genera. Oxyaenids were the first to appear during the late Paleocene in North America, while smaller radiations of oxyaenids in Europe and Asia occurred during the Eocene. Etymology The name of order Oxyaenodonta comes , name of hyena genus ''Hyaena'' and . The name of family Oxyaenidae comes , name of hyena genus ''Hyaena'' and taxonomic suffix " -idae". Description They were superficially cat-like mammals that walked on flat feet, in contrast to modern cats, which walk and run on their toes. Anatomically, characteristic features include a short, broad skull, deep jaws, and teeth designed for crushing rather than shearing, as in the hyaenodonts or modern cats. Oxyaenids ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Creodonta
Creodonta ("meat teeth") is a former order of extinct carnivorous placental mammals that lived from the early Paleocene to the late Miocene epochs in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Originally thought to be a single group of animals ancestral to the modern Carnivora, this order is now usually considered a polyphyletic assemblage of two different groups, the oxyaenids and the hyaenodonts, not a natural group. Oxyaenids are first known from the Palaeocene of North America, while hyaenodonts hail from the Palaeocene of Africa. Creodonts were the dominant carnivorous mammals from , peaking in diversity and prevalence during the Eocene. The first large, obviously carnivorous mammals appeared with the radiation of the oxyaenids in the late Paleocene. During the Paleogene, "creodont" species were the most abundant terrestrial carnivores in the Old World. In Oligocene Africa, hyaenodonts were the dominant group of large flesh-eaters, persisting until the middle of the Miocene. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hyaenodonta
Hyaenodonta (" hyena teeth") is an extinct order of hypercarnivorous placental mammals of clade Pan-Carnivora from mirorder Ferae. Hyaenodonts were important mammalian predators that arose during the early Paleocene in Europe and persisted well into the late Miocene. Characteristics Hyaenodonts are characterized by long, often disproportionately large skulls, slender jaws, and slim bodies. They generally ranged in size from 30 to 140 cm at the shoulder. While '' Simbakubwa kutokaafrika'' may have been up to (surpassing the modern polar bear in size), this estimate is suspect due to being based on skull-body size ratios derived from felids, which have much smaller skulls for their body size. Other large hyaenodonts include two close and later-surviving relatives of ''Simbakubwa'', '' Hyainailouros'' and '' Megistotherium'' (the latter likely being the largest in the group), and the much earlier-living '' Hyaenodon gigas'' (the largest species from genus '' Hyaenodo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tytthaena
''Tytthaena'' ("little hyena") is an extinct genus of placental mammals from extinct subfamily Tytthaeninae within extinct family Oxyaenidae, that lived in North America from the late Paleocene to early Eocene The Eocene ( ) is a geological epoch (geology), epoch that lasted from about 56 to 33.9 million years ago (Ma). It is the second epoch of the Paleogene Period (geology), Period in the modern Cenozoic Era (geology), Era. The name ''Eocene'' comes .... Description ''Tytthaena'' is the smallest oxyaenid known. Morphologically, it resembles '' Oxyaena''. It can be distinguished from other oxyaenids by its size and dentition. Its molars were narrow, with elongate talonids.P. D. Gingerich. (1980.) "''Tytthaena parrisi'', Oldest Known Oxyaenid (Mammalia, Creodonta) from the Late Paleocene of Western North America." Journal of Paleontology 54(3):570-576K. D. Rose. (1981.) "The Clarkforkian Land-Mammal Age and Mammalian Faunal Composition Across the Paleocene-Eocene Boundary." U ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Patriofelis
''Patriofelis'' ("father of cats") is an extinct genus of carnivorous placental mammals from the extinct subfamily Oxyaeninae within the extinct family Oxyaenidae. It was a large cat-like predator which lived in North America during the Bridgerian NALMA (part of the early-middle Eocene, 50.3-46.2 Ma). Fossils have been found in Wyoming, Colorado, and Oregon. ''Patriofelis'' could reach around long, not including the tail. The type species ''Patriofelis ulta'' is most common in the lower Bridger Formation in the Bridger Basin of southwestern Wyoming. It has also been found in the Huerfano Formation of Colorado. ''Patriofelis ulta'' was a smaller species, weighing about . A second species, ''Patriofelis ferox'', was originally known as ''Limnofelis''. It was much larger than ''Patriofelis ulta'', up to , close to the size of a large jaguar. It is most common in the Bridger Basin as well, both the lower Bridger and lower Washakie formations. Fossils of this species also occur in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ferae
Ferae ( , , "wild beasts") is a mirorder of Placentalia, placental mammals in grandorder Ferungulata, that groups together clades Pan-Carnivora (that includes carnivorans and their fossil relatives) and Pholidotamorpha (pangolins and their fossil relatives), and extinct order Pantolesta. General characteristics In mirorder Ferae The common feature for members of this mirorder is ossified tentorium cerebelli and the fusion of the scaphoid and lunate bone, lunate bones in the wrist.Floréal Solé & Thierry Smith (2013."Dispersals of placental carnivorous mammals (Carnivoramorpha, Oxyaenodonta & Hyaenodontida) near the Paleocene-Eocene boundary: a climatic and almost worldwide story"Geologica Belgica 16/4: 254–261 In clade Pan-Carnivora The common features for members of clade Pan-Carnivora are: * heterodont teeth that are sharp and for cutting meat, * canine teeth that are usually large, conical, pointed, thick and stress resistant, * and presence of the Carnassial, carn ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pan-Carnivora
Ferae ( , , "wild beasts") is a mirorder of placental mammals in grandorder Ferungulata, that groups together clades Pan-Carnivora (that includes carnivorans and their fossil relatives) and Pholidotamorpha (pangolins and their fossil relatives), and extinct order Pantolesta. General characteristics In mirorder Ferae The common feature for members of this mirorder is ossified tentorium cerebelli and the fusion of the scaphoid and lunate bones in the wrist.Floréal Solé & Thierry Smith (2013."Dispersals of placental carnivorous mammals (Carnivoramorpha, Oxyaenodonta & Hyaenodontida) near the Paleocene-Eocene boundary: a climatic and almost worldwide story"Geologica Belgica 16/4: 254–261 In clade Pan-Carnivora The common features for members of clade Pan-Carnivora are: * heterodont teeth that are sharp and for cutting meat, * canine teeth that are usually large, conical, pointed, thick and stress resistant, * and presence of the carnassial teeth. Carnassials are feat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Oxyaeninae
Oxyaeninae ("sharp hyenas") is an extinct subfamily of placental mammals from extinct family Oxyaenidae, that lived in Asia, North America and Europe from the late Paleocene to middle Eocene.Malcolm C. McKenna, Susan K. Bell: ''Classification of Mammals: Above the Species Level'' in Columbia University Press, New York (1997), 631 Seiten. Etymology The name of the subfamily translates as "sharp hyaenas" (, name of hyena genus ''Hyaena'' and taxonomic suffix " -inae"). Classification and phylogeny Taxonomy * Subfamily: †Oxyaeninae Cope, 1877 ** Genus: †'' Argillotherium'' Davies, 1884 *** †''Argillotherium toliapicum'' Davies, 1884 ** Genus: †'' Dipsalidictis''(paraphyletic Paraphyly is a taxonomic term describing a grouping that consists of the grouping's last common ancestor and some but not all of its descendant lineages. The grouping is said to be paraphyletic ''with respect to'' the excluded subgroups. In co ... genus) Matthew & Granger, 1915 *** †''Dips ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Paleocene
The Paleocene ( ), or Palaeocene, is a geological epoch (geology), epoch that lasted from about 66 to 56 mya (unit), million years ago (mya). It is the first epoch of the Paleogene Period (geology), Period in the modern Cenozoic Era (geology), Era. The name is a combination of the Ancient Greek ''palaiós'' meaning "old" and the Eocene Epoch (which succeeds the Paleocene), translating to "the old part of the Eocene". The epoch is bracketed by two major events in Earth's history. The K–Pg extinction event, brought on by an asteroid impact (Chicxulub impact) and possibly volcanism (Deccan Traps), marked the beginning of the Paleocene and killed off 75% of species, most famously the non-avian dinosaurs. The end of the epoch was marked by the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), which was a major climatic event wherein about 2,500–4,500 gigatons of carbon were released into the atmosphere and ocean systems, causing a spike in global temperatures and ocean acidification. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cats
The cat (''Felis catus''), also referred to as the domestic cat or house cat, is a small domesticated carnivorous mammal. It is the only domesticated species of the family Felidae. Advances in archaeology and genetics have shown that the domestication of the cat occurred in the Near East around 7500 BC. It is commonly kept as a pet and working cat, but also ranges freely as a feral cat avoiding human contact. It is valued by humans for companionship and its ability to kill vermin. Its retractable claws are adapted to killing small prey species such as mice and rats. It has a strong, flexible body, quick reflexes, and sharp teeth, and its night vision and sense of smell are well developed. It is a social species, but a solitary hunter and a crepuscular predator. Cat intelligence is evident in their ability to adapt, learn through observation, and solve problems. Research has shown they possess strong memories, exhibit neuroplasticity, and display cognitive skill ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Digitigrade
In terrestrial vertebrates, digitigrade ( ) locomotion is walking or running on the toes (from the Latin ''digitus'', 'finger', and ''gradior'', 'walk'). A digitigrade animal is one that stands or walks with its toes (phalanges) on the ground, and the rest of its foot lifted. Digitigrades include birds (what many see as bird's knees are actually ankles), cats, dogs, and many other mammals, but not plantigrades (such as humans) or Ungulate, unguligrades (such as horses). Digitigrades generally move more quickly than other animals. There are structural differences between the Limb (anatomy), limb anatomy of plantigrades, unguligrades, and digitigrades. Digitigrade and unguligrade animals have relatively long carpals and tarsus (skeleton), tarsals, and the bones which correspond to the human ankle are thus set much higher in the limb than in a human. In a digitigrade animal, this effectively lengthens the foot, so much so that what are often thought of as a digitigrade animal's "hands ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Apataelurus
''Apataelurus'' ("false cat") is an extinct genus of saber-toothed placental mammals from the extinct family Oxyaenidae, that lived in North America and East Asia from the early to middle Eocene, 48-40 million years ago. This genus was defined by teeth that were well-adapted to a carnivorous diet. A distinct feature described was a long upper canine tooth that resembled a saber tooth. There are two species currently described: ''Apataelurus kayi'', the type species, and ''Apataelurus pishigouensis'', discovered in 1986. As a large, leopard-sized predator, ''Apataelurus'' dominated the Uinta Formation area. It was adapted to taking on large prey with more struggling motion tolerant muscles in its mouth, allowing it to attack large prey that would fight back. It was closely related to other Machaeroidinae, such as '' Diegoaelurus vanvalkenburghae''. ''Apataelurus'' and other species within the Uinta Basin emerged during a major transition between the reduction in tropical zones an ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Fossil
A fossil (from Classical Latin , ) is any preserved remains, impression, or trace of any once-living thing from a past geological age. Examples include bones, shells, exoskeletons, stone imprints of animals or microbes, objects preserved in amber, hair, petrified wood and DNA remnants. The totality of fossils is known as the ''fossil record''. Though the fossil record is incomplete, numerous studies have demonstrated that there is enough information available to give a good understanding of the pattern of diversification of life on Earth. In addition, the record can predict and fill gaps such as the discovery of '' Tiktaalik'' in the arctic of Canada. Paleontology includes the study of fossils: their age, method of formation, and evolutionary significance. Specimens are sometimes considered to be fossils if they are over 10,000 years old. The oldest fossils are around 3.48 billion years to 4.1 billion years old. Early edition, published online before prin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
