Quercylurus: Difference between revisions
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removed Category:Prehistoric carnivoran genera; added Category:Monotypic prehistoric carnivoran genera using HotCat |
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{{Short description|Extinct genus of carnivores}} |
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{{Speciesbox |
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{{Unreferenced|date=September 2008}} |
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| fossil_range = Early [[Oligocene]] |
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{{Taxobox |
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| name = ''Quercylurus'' |
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|fossil_range= |
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| status = Fossil |
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| image_width = 250px |
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| display_parents = 2 |
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| regnum = [[Animal]]ia |
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| genus = Quercylurus |
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| species = major |
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| authority = Ginsburg 1979 |
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| ordo = [[Carnivora]] |
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| familia = †[[Nimravidae]] |
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| subfamilia = †[[Nimravinae]] |
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| genus = '''''Quercylurus''''' |
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| species = ''Q. major'' |
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| binomial = Quercylurus major |
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'''''Quercylurus''''' is a genus of a[[nimravidae]] family "false sabre-tooths" belonging to subfamily Nimravinae which lived during Late Oligocene in Europe. It was probably the largest nimravid ever known. Quercylurus was the same size as a today's brown bear.it was very muscular, walked on plantigrade (flat-footed). There is only one known specimen of this genus - Quercylurus major. |
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'''''Quercylurus major''''' is an extinct, cat-like [[Nimravidae|nimravid]] [[carnivora]] (or "false sabre-toothed cat") from the early [[Oligocene]] of [[France]]. Its fossils were found in Early Oligocene [[strata]] in [[Quercy]]. ''Q. major'' was possibly the largest nimravid ever known, as its fossils suggest it was similar in size to the modern-day [[lion]].<ref name="Peigne">{{cite journal |last1=Peigne |first1=Stephane |title=Systematic review of European Nimravinae (Mammalia, Carnivora, Nimravidae) and the phylogenetic relationships of Palaeogene Nimravidae |journal=Zoologica Scripta |date=May 2003 |volume=32 |issue=3 |pages=199–229 |doi=10.1046/j.1463-6409.2003.00116.x |s2cid=86827900 |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1463-6409.2003.00116.x}}</ref> |
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Currently there is only one described species within this genus, the type species, ''Q. major''. ''Q. major'' lived in the moist and humid forests of Oligocene [[Europe]], alongside the much smaller, fellow nimravid ''[[Eofelis]]''. |
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==Description== |
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''Quercylurus'' is often considered one of the largest definitive [[Nimravidae|nimravids]] known, with remains indicating individuals roughly comparable to modern [[lion]]s with mass estimates around 140 kilograms (309 lbs). Only the larger members of [[Barbourofelidae]], which more recent studies have considered [[Nimravidae|nimravids]], grew larger.<ref name=Barrett21>{{Cite journal|last=Barrett|first=Paul Zachary|date=2021-10-26|title=The largest hoplophonine and a complex new hypothesis of nimravid evolution|journal=Scientific Reports|language=en|volume=11|issue=1|pages=21078|doi=10.1038/s41598-021-00521-1|issn=2045-2322|pmid=34702935|pmc=8548586|bibcode=2021NatSR..1121078B }}</ref> ''Quercylurus'' somewhat resembled actual felines, with an elongated back and shortened snout, whilst having feet more resembling basal [[Feliformia]] members like civets, with partially retractable claws. It might have been [[scansorial]], using trees as both vantage spots, retreats, and points of ambush for hunting prey.<ref>Jordi Agusti and Mauricio Anton: ''Mammoths, Sabertooths, and Hominids 65 million years of Mammalian Evolution in Europe'', Columbia University Press, 2002, pp.81-83</ref> |
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As one of the largest predators in Europe during its existence, ''Quercylurus'' was almost certainly an [[apex predator]] in its ecosystem. The canine fangs were large and scimitar shaped, if less elongated and flattened as derived [[Machairodontini]] sabretoothed cats and [[Barbourofelidae]]. Because of its large build and dentition, ''Quercylurus'' likely preyed upon large herbivores, such as [[ungulate]] mammals, by use of ambush tactics instead of cursorial, prolonged chases. |
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==Taxonomy== |
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''Quercylurus'' was named by Ginsburg (1979), and initially assigned to [[Felidae]] by Carroll in 1988.<ref>{{Cite book|author=R. L. Carroll |date=1988 |title=Vertebrate Paleontology and Evolution |publisher=W. H. Freeman and Company, New York |pages=1–698}}</ref> It would be placed as a member of Nimravidae, within the subfamily [[Nimravinae]]. ''Quercylurus'' was at one point classified as ''[[Nimravus|Nimravus intermedius]] major'', and then classed within the ''[[Dinailurictis]]'' genus. More recent research typically places ''Quercylurus'', ''Dinailurictis'', and ''[[Eofelis]]'' as closely related, but distinct genera representing a European clade of nimravids.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Barrett |first1=Paul Z. |title=Taxonomic and systematic revisions to the North American Nimravidae (Mammalia, Carnivora) |journal=PeerJ |date=9 February 2016 |volume=4 |pages=e1658 |doi=10.7717/peerj.1658 |pmid=26893959 |pmc=4756750 |issn=2167-8359 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name="Peigne" /> ''Quercylurus'' and ''Dinailurictis'' in particular share many similarities, with size being the chief distinguishing factor in some research.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=de Bonis |first1=Louis |last2=Gardin |first2=Axelle |last3=Blondel |first3=Cécile |title=Carnivora from the early Oligocene of the 'Phosphorites du Quercy' in southwestern France |journal=Geodiversitas |date=10 September 2019 |volume=41 |issue=15 |pages=601 |doi=10.5252/geodiversitas2019v41a15 |s2cid=202670809 |url=https://bioone.org/journals/geodiversitas/volume-41/issue-15/geodiversitas2019v41a15/Carnivora-from-the-early-Oligocene-of-the-Phosphorites-du-Quercy/10.5252/geodiversitas2019v41a15.short|doi-access=free }}</ref> |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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{{Nimravidae}} |
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{{Taxonbar|from1=Q16863893|from2=Q7271357}} |
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[[Category:Oligocene feliforms]] |
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[[Category:Oligocene mammals of Europe]] |
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[[Category:Fossils of France]] |
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[[Category:Quercy Phosphorites Formation| ]] |
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[[Category:Monotypic prehistoric carnivoran genera]] |
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Latest revision as of 01:19, 5 November 2024
| Quercylurus Temporal range: Early Oligocene
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Suborder: | Feliformia |
| Family: | †Nimravidae |
| Subfamily: | †Nimravinae |
| Genus: | †Quercylurus |
| Species: | †Q. major
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| Binomial name | |
| †Quercylurus major Ginsburg 1979
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Quercylurus major is an extinct, cat-like nimravid carnivora (or "false sabre-toothed cat") from the early Oligocene of France. Its fossils were found in Early Oligocene strata in Quercy. Q. major was possibly the largest nimravid ever known, as its fossils suggest it was similar in size to the modern-day lion.[1]
Currently there is only one described species within this genus, the type species, Q. major. Q. major lived in the moist and humid forests of Oligocene Europe, alongside the much smaller, fellow nimravid Eofelis.
Description
[edit]Quercylurus is often considered one of the largest definitive nimravids known, with remains indicating individuals roughly comparable to modern lions with mass estimates around 140 kilograms (309 lbs). Only the larger members of Barbourofelidae, which more recent studies have considered nimravids, grew larger.[2] Quercylurus somewhat resembled actual felines, with an elongated back and shortened snout, whilst having feet more resembling basal Feliformia members like civets, with partially retractable claws. It might have been scansorial, using trees as both vantage spots, retreats, and points of ambush for hunting prey.[3]
As one of the largest predators in Europe during its existence, Quercylurus was almost certainly an apex predator in its ecosystem. The canine fangs were large and scimitar shaped, if less elongated and flattened as derived Machairodontini sabretoothed cats and Barbourofelidae. Because of its large build and dentition, Quercylurus likely preyed upon large herbivores, such as ungulate mammals, by use of ambush tactics instead of cursorial, prolonged chases.
Taxonomy
[edit]Quercylurus was named by Ginsburg (1979), and initially assigned to Felidae by Carroll in 1988.[4] It would be placed as a member of Nimravidae, within the subfamily Nimravinae. Quercylurus was at one point classified as Nimravus intermedius major, and then classed within the Dinailurictis genus. More recent research typically places Quercylurus, Dinailurictis, and Eofelis as closely related, but distinct genera representing a European clade of nimravids.[5][1] Quercylurus and Dinailurictis in particular share many similarities, with size being the chief distinguishing factor in some research.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Peigne, Stephane (May 2003). "Systematic review of European Nimravinae (Mammalia, Carnivora, Nimravidae) and the phylogenetic relationships of Palaeogene Nimravidae". Zoologica Scripta. 32 (3): 199–229. doi:10.1046/j.1463-6409.2003.00116.x. S2CID 86827900.
- ^ Barrett, Paul Zachary (2021-10-26). "The largest hoplophonine and a complex new hypothesis of nimravid evolution". Scientific Reports. 11 (1): 21078. Bibcode:2021NatSR..1121078B. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-00521-1. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 8548586. PMID 34702935.
- ^ Jordi Agusti and Mauricio Anton: Mammoths, Sabertooths, and Hominids 65 million years of Mammalian Evolution in Europe, Columbia University Press, 2002, pp.81-83
- ^ R. L. Carroll (1988). Vertebrate Paleontology and Evolution. W. H. Freeman and Company, New York. pp. 1–698.
- ^ Barrett, Paul Z. (9 February 2016). "Taxonomic and systematic revisions to the North American Nimravidae (Mammalia, Carnivora)". PeerJ. 4: e1658. doi:10.7717/peerj.1658. ISSN 2167-8359. PMC 4756750. PMID 26893959.
- ^ de Bonis, Louis; Gardin, Axelle; Blondel, Cécile (10 September 2019). "Carnivora from the early Oligocene of the 'Phosphorites du Quercy' in southwestern France". Geodiversitas. 41 (15): 601. doi:10.5252/geodiversitas2019v41a15. S2CID 202670809.
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| Incertae sedis | .jpg) | |
| Nimravini | ||
| Hoplophoneini | ||
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