Dinaelurus: Difference between revisions
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'''''Dinaelurus''''' is an extinct [[genus]] of the [[family (biology)|family]] ''[[Nimravidae]]'', endemic to [[North America]] during the [[Eocene]]-[[Oligocene]] epochs (30.8—20.6 [[Annum|mya]]), existing for approximately {{Mya|30.8-20.6|million years}}.<ref>[http://paleodb.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?action=checkTaxonInfo&taxon_no=41039&is_real_user=1 PaleoBiology Database: ''Dinaelurus'', basic info]</ref> |
'''''Dinaelurus''''' is an extinct [[genus]] of the [[family (biology)|family]] ''[[Nimravidae]]'', endemic to [[North America]] during the [[Eocene]]-[[Oligocene]] epochs (30.8—20.6 [[Annum|mya]]), existing for approximately {{Mya|30.8-20.6|million years}}.<ref>[http://paleodb.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?action=checkTaxonInfo&taxon_no=41039&is_real_user=1 PaleoBiology Database: ''Dinaelurus'', basic info]</ref> |
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| ⚫ | It is believed that ''Dinaelurus'' was a cursorial predator, meaning it ran down its prey. This is suggested by the nimravid's short face<ref |
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==Taxonomy== |
==Taxonomy== |
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''Dinaelurus'' was named by George Francis Eaton (1922). Its type is ''Dinaelurus crassus''. It was assigned to ''Nimravinae'' by Flynn and Galiano (1982) and Bryant (1991); and to ''Nimravidae'' by Eaton (1922) and Martin (1998).<ref>Flynn, John J. and Henry Galiano. 1982. Phylogeny of early Tertiary Carnivora, with a description of a new species of Protictis from the middle Eocene of northwestern Wyoming. ''American Museum Novitates''.</ref><ref>Martin, Larry D. 1998. "Nimravidae." In Christine M. Janis, Kathleen M. Scott, Louis L. Jacobs (eds.), ''Evolution of Tertiary Mammals of North America''. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. 2 volumes (1998-2008).</ref> |
''Dinaelurus'' was named by George Francis Eaton (1922). Its type is ''Dinaelurus crassus''. It was assigned to ''Nimravinae'' by Flynn and Galiano (1982) and Bryant (1991); and to ''Nimravidae'' by Eaton (1922) and Martin (1998).<ref>Flynn, John J. and Henry Galiano. 1982. Phylogeny of early Tertiary Carnivora, with a description of a new species of Protictis from the middle Eocene of northwestern Wyoming. ''American Museum Novitates''.</ref><ref>Martin, Larry D. 1998. "Nimravidae." In Christine M. Janis, Kathleen M. Scott, Louis L. Jacobs (eds.), ''Evolution of Tertiary Mammals of North America''. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. 2 volumes (1998-2008).</ref> |
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==Fossil distribution== |
==Fossil distribution== |
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One specimen found in the [[John_Day_Fossil_Beds_National_Monument#John_Day_Formation|John Day Formation]] in Oregon and was described by Eaton in 1922. |
One specimen found in the [[John_Day_Fossil_Beds_National_Monument#John_Day_Formation|John Day Formation]] in Oregon and was described by Eaton in 1922. |
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==Description== |
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''Dinaelurus'' had conical teeth; it could exhibit little or no development of sabertooth features and had more rounded cheek teeth with no serrated ridges. It had a relatively gracile skeleton.<ref name= "HB" /> |
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==Behavior== |
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==Sources == |
==Sources == |
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Revision as of 11:16, 2 January 2013
| Dinaelurus Temporal range:
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| Genus: | Dinaelurus
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| Species: | D. crassus
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| Dinaelurus crassus | |
Dinaelurus is an extinct genus of the family Nimravidae, endemic to North America during the Eocene-Oligocene epochs (30.8—20.6 mya), existing for approximately 10.2 million years.[1] As paleontologist Harold N. Bryant phrased it, "The Eocene to Oligocene Nimravinae was the first radiation of cat-like carnivorans. This radiation was centered in North America."[2]
Taxonomy
Dinaelurus was named by George Francis Eaton (1922). Its type is Dinaelurus crassus. It was assigned to Nimravinae by Flynn and Galiano (1982) and Bryant (1991); and to Nimravidae by Eaton (1922) and Martin (1998).[3][4]
Fossil distribution
One specimen found in the John Day Formation in Oregon and was described by Eaton in 1922.
Description
Dinaelurus had conical teeth; it could exhibit little or no development of sabertooth features and had more rounded cheek teeth with no serrated ridges. It had a relatively gracile skeleton.[2]
Behavior
It is believed that Dinaelurus was a cursorial predator, meaning it ran down its prey. This is suggested by the nimravid's short face[2] and large nostrils, similar to those of a cheetah, which is also a cursorial predator.
In popular culture
Dinaelurus crassus is the ancestor of the fictional species, Dinaelurus illumina sapiens, in the Ratha or "Named" series by author Clare Bell.
Sources
- ^ PaleoBiology Database: Dinaelurus, basic info
- ^ a b c Bryant, Harold N. (1996). "Nimravidae". In Donald R. Prothero and Robert J. Emry (ed.). The Terrestrial Eocene-Oligocene Transition in North America. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. p. 468. ISBN 0521433878.
- ^ Flynn, John J. and Henry Galiano. 1982. Phylogeny of early Tertiary Carnivora, with a description of a new species of Protictis from the middle Eocene of northwestern Wyoming. American Museum Novitates.
- ^ Martin, Larry D. 1998. "Nimravidae." In Christine M. Janis, Kathleen M. Scott, Louis L. Jacobs (eds.), Evolution of Tertiary Mammals of North America. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. 2 volumes (1998-2008).
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