In Depth Not too much is known about Sarkastodon because so far as only the skull and jaw are known for certain. The size and construction of these skulls however strongly suggest that in life Sarkastodon would have been a very large, powerful animal and is often likened to being like a bear. Like many … Read more
In Depth Microleo is a genus of thylacoleonid marsupial that lived in Australia during the early Miocene. Microleo has already become well known as a relative of the fearsome Thylacoleo, however it seems that Microleo was much smaller. Because of the lack of overall fossil remains for the holotype, an exact size for Microleo is … Read more
In Depth The hyenas had their origin in ancient genera such as Ictitherium, but by the Miocene exceptionally large forms such as Percrocuta had already evolved into a more recognisably hyena form. Percrocuta possessed robust skull and jaws with attachment points that would have allowed for a powerful bite. The rear teeth of Percrocuta however … Read more
In Depth The name Maiacetus means ‘good mother whale’ and this is a reference to the fact that the holotype of Maiacetus was composed of a skull with post cranial skeletal remains, and inside of the post cranial skeleton there appears to be the remains of a fossilised foetus. If this interpretation is correct then … Read more
In Depth Palaeopropithecus is one of the large sloth lemurs of ancient Madagascar, so noted because while it was without doubt a lemur, it had considerably longer limbs and physical adaptations more suited to climbing and living like a sloth. With this in mind, Palaeopropithecus probably spent its time climbing branches to reach leaves, fruit … Read more
In Depth A little known nimravid, Pogonodon seems to have had a wide distribution from the USA to the Ukraine as well as existing for around twenty-three and half million years. This suggests that Pogonodon would have been one of the most successful genera of nimravid so far known. Further Reading Further reading- Scientific news. … Read more
In Depth Baguatherium was has been classed as a member of the Pyrotheriidae, meaning that the genus was related to mammals like Pyrotherium. Baguatherium would have been a heavy set quadrupedal herbivore that would feed upon low growing vegetation. The incisors in the mouth were enlarged and projected forwards out of the mouth, probably as … Read more
In Depth Out of all the creodonts Machaeroides is one of the most unique since it possess enlarged canine teeth similar to the sabre teeth that are commonly associated with the sabre-toothed cats of the Pliocene/Pleistocene eras. The presence of Machaeroides in North America is a clear indication that the creodonts were adapting to fulfil … Read more
In Depth Further Reading – Temporal variation in tooth fracture among Rancho La Brea dire wolves. – Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 22 (2): 423. – W. J. Binder, E. N. Thompson & B. Van Valkenburgh – 2002. – Sexual dimorphism, social behavior, and intrasexual competition in large Pleistocene carnivorans. – Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 22: … Read more
In Depth Tokarahia is a genus of whale that lived in the waters around New Zealand during the Oligocene. Further Reading - A new genus and species of eomysticetid (Cetacea: Mysticeti) and a reinterpretation of ‘Mauicetus’ lophocephalus Marples, 1956: Transitional baleen whales from the upper Oligocene of New Zealand. - Zoological Journal of the Linnean … Read more