The newly-identified species — the earliest and most primitive member of the saber-toothed cat genus Amphimachairodus — had craniodental adaptations to social behavior and open environment.
Amphimachairodus hezhengensis lived in what is now northern China during the Turolian age of the Miocene epoch, between 10 and 9 million years ago.
The ancient predator is the earliest member of the genus Amphimachairodus.
“Amphimachairodus is the most widely distributed and successful genus among Late Miocene forms of saber-toothed cats,” said first author Dr. Qigao Jiangzuo, a researcher with the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Peking University and the American Museum of Natural History, and his colleagues.
“Members of this genus are known in Europe, Asia and North America.”
“Amphimachairodus is mainly documented in the Turolian or deposits of equivalent age, with very abundant remains from the Linxia Basin (Yangjiashan Fauna and Qinpushan Fauna; 8-6 million years ago) and Baode in China (7.25-5.3 million years ago), and in the Quiburis Formation and Coffee Ranch in southwestern North America.”
“Many cranial traits of Amphimachairodus (e.g. the long snout and enlarged mastoid) are already Homotherium-like, suggesting potentially similar adaptations.”
“However, where Amphimachairodus originated and the function of these traits are still unclear.”
The nearly complete skull of Amphimachairodus hezhengensis was found at the Houshan locality, belonging to the Dashngou Fauna of the Linxia Basin, located on the northeastern border of the Tibetan Plateau.
“The new skull shows typical Amphimachairodus traits, representing the earliest member of the genus and providing a basis for investigating its peculiar morphology and adaptions,” the paleontologists said.
Amphimachairodus hezhengensis was about 2 m (6.6 feet) long, and had a wide forehead, a long rostrum, and small incisors.
“The…
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