| Fossil range | Early-Mid Miocene (Colhuehuapian-Friasian) ~ |
|---|---|
| Taxon | Cladosictis |
| Authority | Ameghino 1887 |
| Subdivision ranks | Species |
| Subdivision |
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| Synonyms |
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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]
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]
References
- ^ Cladosictis at Fossilworks.org
- ^ Palmer, D. (ed.) (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. pp. 202–203. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.
- ^ Blanco, R. Ernesto; Jones, Washington W.; Grinspan, Gustavo A. (2 December 2010). "Fossil marsupial predators of South America (Marsupialia, Borhyaenoidea): bite mechanics and palaeobiological implications". Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology. 35 (3): 377–387. doi:10.1080/03115518.2010.519644. ISSN 0311-5518. Retrieved 7 March 2026. – via Taylor and Francis Online.