Metahyaena
Extinct genus of mammals
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Metahyaena is an extinct genus of hyaenids that lived in Turkey during the Late Miocene. The type and only known species, M. confector, was discovered in the Sinap Formation.[1][2] Metahyaena shows some primitive durophagous adaptations. The premolars of Metahyaena are narrower than those of other durophagous hyaenids such as Belbus beaumonti.[1]
| Metahyaena Temporal range: Late Miocene (Vallesian) | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Hyaenidae |
| Genus: | †Metahyaena Viranta & Werdelin, 2003 |
| Type species | |
| †Metahyaena confector Viranta & Werdelin, 2003 | |
Etymology
The specific name of M. confector (from Latin: confector, 'maker' or 'destroyer') was chosen due to the significant number of bites found on bones of other species in its type locality.[1]
