Cladosictis (meaning "branch weasel") is an extinct genus of South American metatherian from Patagonia, Argentina (Chichinales, Cerro Bandera, Sarmiento and Santa Cruz Formations) and Chile (Río Frias Formation).[1]
Cladosictis | |
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A lower jaw fragment of Cladosictis lustratus | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | †Sparassodonta |
Family: | †Hathliacynidae |
Genus: | †Cladosictis Ameghino 1887 |
Species | |
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Synonyms | |
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Description
editCladosictis was a fox-like creature that was around 80 centimetres (2.6 ft) long. Cladosictis probably hunted for eggs and small animals in the low undergrowth, using its low posture for cover. With sharp canines and slicing carnassials, Cladosictis's teeth were similar to those of carnivorans, although the groups were unrelated.[2]
References
edit- ^ Cladosictis at Fossilworks.org
- ^ Palmer, D., ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. pp. 202–203. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.
External links
edit- Media related to Cladosictis at Wikimedia Commons