The lower Miocene (Burdigalian) deposits of the Hiwegi Fm., Rusinga Island, Kenya, have yielded a single specimen of a small felid. This specimen, here identified as the holotype of a new genus and species, is of the size of the smallest living Felidae. It shows some features of primitive, �Pseudaelurusgrade� cats, but also features of both morphology and metrics that are intermediate between this grade and modern Felidae, suggesting a transitional taxon. This is in contrast with Diamantofelis and Namafelis from Namibia, which, though aberrant, are more clearly of �Pseudaelurus-grade�. The Rusinga specimen is the most derived felid specimen of the lower Miocene.
© 2001-2024 Fundación Dialnet · Todos los derechos reservados