Protictitherium

Pro-tik-to-fee-ree-um.
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Cassidy Wood

Paleoentomologist

Cassidy Wood uncovers the tiny yet significant world of prehistoric insects. Her research on amber-preserved specimens has revealed intricate details about ancient ecosystems.

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Name

Protictitherium.

Phonetic

Pro-tik-to-fee-ree-um.

Named By

Kretzoi‭ ‬-‭ ‬1938.

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Mammalia,‭ ‬Carnivora,‭ ‬Hyaenidae.

Diet

Carnivore.

Species

P.‭ ‬aegaeum,‭ ‬P.‭ ‬cingulatum,‭ ‬P.‭ ‬crassum,‭ ‬P.‭ ‬gaillardia,‭ ‬P.‭ ‬intermedium,‭ ‬P.‭ ‬praecurrens,‭ ‬P.‭ ‬punicum

Size

Unavailable.

Known locations

China,‭ ‬France,‭ ‬Germany,‭ ‬Spain and Turkey.

Time Period

Langhian to the Tortonian of the Miocene.‭ ‬Possibly later.

Fossil representation

Remains of many individuals.

In Depth

       A very primitive genus of hyena,‭ Protictitherium has actually been more loosely interpreted as like a civet in terms of physical appearance.

Further Reading

-‭ ‬Late Miocene carnivores of the Greco-Iranian Province:‭ ‬Composition,‭ ‬guild structure and palaeoecology‭ ‬-‭ ‬Palaeogeography,‭ ‬Palaeoclimatology,‭ ‬Palaeoecology‭ ‬305:‭ ‬215‭ ‬-‭ ‬G.‭ ‬D.‭ ‬Koufos‭ & ‬G.‭ ‬E.‭ ‬Konidaris‭ ‬-‭ ‬2011.

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT