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New viverravids from the Torrejonian (Middle Paleocene) of Kutz Canyon, New Mexico and the oldest skull of the order Carnivora

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 May 2016

T. J. Meehan  and
Robert W. Wilson
T. J. Meehan
Affiliation:
Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center, University of Kansas, 1345 Jayhawk Blvd, Lawrence 66045-7561,
Robert W. Wilson
Affiliation:
Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center, University of Kansas, 1345 Jayhawk Blvd, Lawrence 66045-7561,
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Abstract

Three new species of Viverravidae (Carnivora: Miacoidea) are described: Protictis simpsoni, P. minor, and Bryanictis paulus. Holotypes and referred specimens are from the Angel Peak area, Kutz Canyon, San Juan Basin, New Mexico and are of middle Torrejonian age (middle Paleocene). The holotype of Protictis simpsoni includes a skull—the oldest known skull of the Order Carnivora. The locality is narrowly restricted stratigraphically and geographically, and specimens are better preserved than most other viverravid specimens of San Juan Basin strata.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Paleontology , Volume 76 , Issue 6 , November 2002 , pp. 1091 - 1101
Copyright
Copyright © The Paleontological Society

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