In Depth One of the lesser known machairodonts, the placement of Adelphailurus within the machairodontinae has been questioned with speculation that it may be a false sabre-tooth. Adelphailurus also had a pair of second premolar teeth, a primitive feature that harks back to the early days of felid evolution. Although fossil remains of Adelphailurus are … Read more
In Depth Originally named as an extinct species of the extant genus Holochilus, Reigomys was a Pleistocene aged relative of modern day marsh rats that live in South America. Further Reading - A new species of Holochilus (Rodentia: Sigmodontinae) from the Middle Pleistocene of Bolivia and its phylogenetic significance (subscription required). - Journal of Vertebrate … Read more
In Depth Siamoadapis is a genus of small primate that lived in Thailand during the mid Miocene. Further Reading - First middle Miocene sivaladapid primate from Thailand. - Journal of Human Evolution 54 (3): 434–443. - Y. Chaimanee, C. Yamee, P. Tian, O. Chavasseau & J. -J. Jaeger - 2008.
In Depth Aetiocetus is an important transitional form as it displays the early origins of the baleen whales, while still retaining teeth that can be identified as incisors, canines and molars like many other mammals. Later descendants would go on to become exclusive filter feeders like many of the modern great whales that swim our … Read more
In Depth Cynodictis was an early member of the Amphicyonidae, a group of mammalian predators that are much better known as ‘bear dogs’. This is not all that surprising however when you consider that Cynodictis was also one of the earliest amphicyonids and usually the earlier members of a group are smaller than the later … Read more
In Depth Originally described as a species of Miacis, M. winkleri, the species was split from Miacis and re-established as a distinct genus called Gracilocyon in 2010. Another former Miacis species, M. rosei has also been attributed Gracilocyon. Gracilocyon would have still been similar to Miacis in form and size, and would have hunted other … Read more
In Depth Further Reading - Acinonyx pardinensis (Carnivora, Felidae) from the Early Pleistocene of Pantalla (Italy): predatory behavior and ecological role of the giant Plio-Pleistocene cheetah. - Quarternary Science Reviews 87 82-97 - Marco Cherin, Dawid Adam Iurino, Raffaele Sardella & Lorenzo Rool - 2014.
In Depth Palaeocastor is most famous for the elaborate spiral burrows (popularly known as devil’s corkscrews) that it actually dug out using its teeth instead of its claws. These burrows were discovered long before the first specimen of Palaeocastor was identified, and had previously been interpreted as being the fossilised remains of aquatic sponges or … Read more
In Depth Since the early days of palaeontology many genera of brontotheres have been named from North America, though now after over one hundred and fifty years of continuous study and discovery, many of these have now been perceived to be synonymous with the genus Megacerops. Some of these names include genera such as Brontops … Read more
In Depth Nimravus - Not a Cat! Nimravus is the type genus of the Nimravidae group of mammals that are better known as the ‘false sabre-toothed cats’. This is because while Nimravus and others like it looked like the big cats, they actually evolved from a different line of mammals than the true cats that … Read more