Studies of fossil hyaenas: the genera Thalassictis Gervais ex Nordmann, Palhyaena Gervais, Hyaenictitherium Kretzoi, Lycyaena Hensel and Palinhyaena Qiu, Huang … Guo

Abstract

Samples of the Chinese upper Mioeene hyaenids Thalassictis wongii (Zdansky), Thalassictis hyaenoides (Zdansky) and Palinhyaena reperta Qiu, Huang … Guo are analysed and characterized statistically. The generic and specific designations above are considered correct. Using these samples as a basis, the taxonomic status of similar forms from Eurasia is evaluated. Lycyaena is considered a subgenus of Thalassictis and includes the species T. (L.) dubia (Zdansky), T. (L.) chaeretis (Gaudry), T. (L.) macrostoma (Lydekker), and T. (L.) crusafonti (Kurtén). ‘Lycyaena’ proava Pilgrim and ‘L.’ chinjiensis Pilgrim are removed from this subgenus. The type specimen of Palhyaena hipparionum (Gervais) is missing and cannot be determined to genus on the basis of published information. Most other forms are referred to Thalassictis (Thalassictis), except ‘Ictitherium’ sivalense Lydekker, which is considered to be closely related to Palinhyaena.

Taxonomy, Hyaenidae, Thalassictis, Palinhyaena, Lycyaena, Miocene, China, Eurasia