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A new species of Leptarctus (Carnivora, Mustelidae) from the Late Miocene of Texas

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 May 2016

Jong-Deock Lim ,
Larry D. Martin  and
Robert W. Wilson
Jong-Deock Lim
Affiliation:
1School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea, 151-742
Larry D. Martin
Affiliation:
2Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center 3Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045,
Robert W. Wilson
Affiliation:
2Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center
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Extract

Leptarctus is a poorly known fossil carnivore that ranges through the Miocene of North America and Inner Mongolia, China (Lim, 1996; Zhai, 1964). Though it has been one of the least studied carnivores, more than 20 localities in North America have produced Leptarctus (Lim, 1999). The characters diagnosing Leptarctus as a mustelid include absence of M2, absence of a notch between the blades of the upper carnassial, and a reduced dentition with loss of PI and pi. Though Leptarctus is a mustelid, the teeth bear many similarities to those of procyonids, Procyon lotor and Nasua nasua and stand as a remarkable example of dental convergence (Leidy, 1856; Lim, 1999). Unlike other mustelids, Leptarctus has prominent double sagittal crests, heavy zygomatic arches, a prominent occipital crest, a well-developed hypocone on P4, labially curved upper canines, grooved lower canines, raccoon-like mandibles, elongated metatarsals, and unique bony projections on the tympanic bullae (Lim, 1999).

Type
Paleontological Notes
Information
Journal of Paleontology , Volume 75 , Issue 5 , September 2001 , pp. 1043 - 1046
Copyright
Copyright © The Paleontological Society

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