Genetta plesictoides, also known as the Cypriot genet, is an extinct species of genet that was endemic to Cyprus during the Late Pleistocene. It was first described by Dorothy Bate in 1903.[1] The Cypriot genet was similar in size to the common genet. In comparison to its close living relative, its dental morphology showed adaptations towards a more carnivorous diet.[2] It likely became extinct around 12,000-10,800 years Before Present, following the arrival of humans to Cyprus and the introduction of invasive species.[3]
| Genetta plesictoides Temporal range: Late Pleistocene
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|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Suborder: | Feliformia |
| Family: | Viverridae |
| Genus: | Genetta |
| Species: | †G. plesictoides
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| Binomial name | |
| †Genetta plesictoides (Bate, 1903)
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References
edit- ^ Bate, Dorothy M.A. (1903). "On an extinct species of genet (Genetta plesictoides, sp. n.) from the Pleistocene of Cyprus". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 1903 (2): 121–124.
- ^ Theodorou, G.E.; Roussiakis, S.I.; Athanassiou, A.; Giaourtsakis, I.; Panayides, I. (2007). "A Late Pleistocene endemic genet (Carnivora, Viverridae) from Aghia Napa, Cyprus". Bulletin of the Geological Society of Greece. 40: 201–208. doi:10.12681/bgsg.16514.
- ^ Vigne, Jean-Denis; Cucchi, Thomas; Rousou, Maria; Bailon, Salvador; Carrère, Isabelle; Devillers, Benoît; Douché, Carolyne; Gourichon, Lionel; Hadjikoumis, Angelos; Mylona, Pantelitsa; Papayianni, Katerina; Parès, Andréa; Tengberg, Margareta; Zazzo, Antoine; Guilaine, Jean (August 2023). "Historical dynamics of the human-environment interactions in Cyprus during the 12th-10th millennia cal. BP: The last 30 years contributions of the Amathous area (Limassol district)". Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. 50: 104049. Bibcode:2023JArSR..50j4049V. doi:10.1016/j.jasrep.2023.104049. S2CID 259419298.