Cladosictis
Extinct genus of South American metatherian mammals
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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  | |
| 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
Cladosictis 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]
Palaeobiology
The absolute value of the bite force of Cladosictis patagonica was extremely similar to that of the grey fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), while its bite force quotient (BFQ) was comparable to that of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), the Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus), and the golden jackal (Canis aureus).[3]
