Felidae, Fischer de Waldheim, 1817
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.5377883 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03F987ED-B156-335D-FC8F-FAB7FBC77415 |
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treatment provided by |
Marcus |
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scientific name |
Felidae |
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Felidae View in CoL indet.
MATERIAL. — Right distal humerus and proximal ulna (AK5-670), ulna (AK5-unnumbered), proximal (AK5- 668) and distal (AK5-669) of a right radius, left astragalus (AK5-377).
DESCRIPTION ( FIGS 11 View FIG ; 12 View FIG )
Some limb bones belong to a species of a large felid. A distal humerus and associated ulna (AK5- 670) are larger than those of Panthera pardus (Linnaeus, 1758) and smaller than a lion or a tiger ( Figs 11 View FIG ; 12 View FIG ). On the humerus, the capitulum is partially broken; the deltoid crest may have been shorter and less pronounced than in extant large felids; the distal maximal breadth is about 60.5 mm; the trochlea is well developed and relatively larger than in a lion; the epitrochlea (medial epicondyle) is relatively as large as that of a lion but the epitrochlear arcade is more robust; the epicondyle (lateral epicondyle) and the epicondyliar crest are relatively weaker than in a lion; on the caudal face, the olecranon fossa is as large as in a lion but it is expanded more proximodistally than laterally and the lateral epicondylar crest is weaker. On the ulna, part of the anconeal process and part of the lateral margin of the radius articular surface are missing. The articular surface for the humeral trochlea is less medially oriented than in a lion ulna. The preserved part of the shaft is straight, narrowing from proximal to distal; well marked grooves on the lateral and medial surface indicate strong abductor pollicii and pronator quadratus muscles respectively. Another piece of ulna (AK5-unnumbered) reaches the same size but the olecranon is smaller. It could indicate a variation between two individuals of the same species or perhaps another species. I favour the first hypothesis. Two pieces, proximal (AK5-668) and distal (AK5-669) of a
A B
right radius, certainly belong to the same individual that the humerus and ulna (AK5-670).
A left astragalus (AK5-377) with a deep trochlea, especially in the lateral part ( Fig. 13 View FIG ), has a head whose great axis is almost dorso-plantally orient- ed. The lateral part of the facet for the coracoid process of the calcaneum is laterally extended as a process. This specimen may also belong to the same individual.
In the late Miocene localities of Asia and Europe, there are few carnivores whose size is intermediate between a panther and a small lion. Machairodus Kaup, 1833 is too big and Paramachairodus Pilgrim, 1913 seems too small. These bones could belong to Metailurus major Zdansky, 1924 or to a species of Dinofelis Zdansky, 1924 , but it is difficult to be certain.
Family MUSTELIDAE Fischer de Waldheim, 1817 View in CoL Subfamily MEPHITINAE Bonaparte, 1845 View in CoL Genus Promephitis Gaudry, 1861
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