2022/05/01 by Wuyang Xiong · 2 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Environmental Science · #Evolution and Paleontology Studies #Bat Biology and Ecology Studies #Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
paper · doi:10.1080/08912963.2022.2067757
openalex publication_date 2022/05/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/22
Percrocuta xixiaensis sp. nov. from numerous localities in the Zhang’enbao Formation of Tongxin, Ningxia, China, is described here. Its fossils include the first complete cranium of Percrocuta and represent the best materials of this genus hitherto published. The bulla of P. xixiaensis suggests Percrocuta as true hyaenids rather than ‘false hyenas (percrocutids)’ which were believed to evolve independently from Stenoplesictis-like ancestors. The m1 of P. xixiaensis is more complex than Stenoplesictis and other Percrocuta species, indicating a relationship with other Miocene hyaenids. Cranial features like the small frontal sinus, the low neurocranium and the weak zygomatic process in P. xixiaensis are less adapted to bone cracking than its robust premolars. P. xixiaensis is close to P. miocenica but differs from the latter in narrower premolars and less reduced talonid of m1. It probably predates P. miocenica, which suggests an age of MN5 (early Middle Miocene) for the localities in the Zhang’enbao Formation of Tongxin.urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:E3B79008-6443-478A-B7A2-BAAE44CC8B63