Prosansanosmilus

Pro-san-san-o-smy-lus.
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Nisha Yadav

Physicist

Nisha Yadav is a dedicated physicist whose work bridges the gap between physics and paleontology. With a deep interest in the processes that preserve ancient life, she explores how physical principles govern fossilization and the preservation of extinct species.

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Name

Prosansanosmilus ‭(‬Before Sansanosmilus‭)‬.

Phonetic

Pro-san-san-o-smy-lus.

Named By

E.P.J.‭ ‬Heizmann,‭ ‬L.‭ ‬Ginsburg‭ & ‬C.‭ ‬Bulot‭ ‬-‭ ‬1980.

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Mammalia,‭ ‬Carnivora,‭ ‬Feliformia,‭ ‬Barbourofelidae.

Diet

Carnivore.

Species

P.‭ ‬peregrinus‭

Size

Unavailable.

Known locations

Europe.

Time Period

Burdigalian of the Miocene.

Fossil representation

Several specimens.

In Depth

       Prosansanosmilus is similar to another European genus of barbourofelid called Sansanosmilus,‭ ‬but is known from deposits that are dated to being a few million years older than the earliest currently known fossils of Sansanosmilus,‭ ‬hence the addition of‭ ‘‬Pro‭’ ‬to the genus name.‭ ‬The early appearance of Prosansanosmilus is also revealed in its more primitive form to later barbourofelids which includes upper canines that are not as well developed as later forms.‭ ‬Prosansanosmilus does still appear however to have been an ambush predator as indicated by its proportionately short legs,‭ ‬an adaptation that is great for sudden acceleration,‭ ‬but not so good for a high top speed over distance.‭ ‬The robust features of the skeleton also hint that it was a very physical predator that may have subdued its prey with physical strength before delivering a killing bite.‭ ‬Although exact size is unavailable,‭ ‬Prosansanosmilus is one of the smaller European genera of barbourofelid.

Further Reading

– Prosansanosmilus peregrinus, ein neuer machairodontider Felide aus dem Mioc�n Deutschlands und Frankreichs. – Stuttgarter Beitr�ge zur Naturkunde, Ser. B. 58:1-27. – E.P.J. Heizmann, L. Ginsburg & C. Bulot – 1980. – A new species of Prosansanosmilus: implications for the systematic relationships of the family Barbourofelidae new rank (Carnivora, Mammalia). – Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 140:43-61. – M. Morlo, S. Peign� & D. Nagel – 2004.

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