Trigonictis macrodon

Trigonictis macrodon
Temporal range: Pliocene–Pleistocene
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae
Genus: †Trigonictis
Species:
†T. macrodon
Binomial name
†Trigonictis macrodon
Cope, 1868

Trigonictis macrodon is an extinct species of mammal related to the living grison (genus Galictis). It lived in North America during the Pliocene to Pleistocene epochs, from ~4.1–1.6 Ma. (AEO),[1] existing for approximately 2.5 million years. Fossil specimens have been found across the United States, from Washington and Oregon in the northwest to California and Florida in the south.[2]

Morphology and diet

Trigonictis is most closely related to the modern neotropical galictines, Sminthosinis and possibly Canimartes.[3] According to Kurtén and Anderson, Trigonictis macrodon was about the size of the modern fisher, quickly moving and very capable of swimming. It was closely related to a group of galictine mustelids and reached the New World in the Middle Pliocene. Its diet was probably the rabbit Hypolagus, ground squirrels, and young beavers.[4]

References

  1. ^ Alroy, John, PaleoDB collection 20308, March 26, 1995, De Soto Shell Pit, Caloosahatchee Formation, DeSoto County, Florida
  2. ^ John Alroy, February 18, 1993. PaleoDB collection 19651.
  3. ^ Journal of the Idaho Academy of Science, Vol. 45, 2009.
  4. ^ Kurten, Bjorn and Anderson, Elaine; Pleistocene mammals of North America, Columbia University Press, 1980. ISBN 0-231-03733-3.
  • Y. Tomida. 1987. Small mammal fossils and correlation of continental deposits, Safford and Duncan basins, Arizona. National Science Museum 1-141.PaloDB