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Pachycrocuta is an extinct genus of prehistoric hyenas.The largest and most well-researched species is Pachycrocuta brevirostris, colloquially known as the giant short-faced hyena as it stood about 90–100 cm (35–39 in) at the shoulder [1] and it is estimated to have averaged 110 kg (240 lb) in weight, [2] approaching the size of a lioness, making it the largest known hyena.
The species C. ossifragus was the only hyena to cross the Bering land bridge into the Americas, and ranged over what is now Arizona and Mexico during Blancan and early Irvingtonian Land Mammal ages, between 5.0 and 1.5 million years ago. [6] [4]
The four extant species are the striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), the brown hyena (Parahyaena brunnea), the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), and the aardwolf (Proteles cristata). The aardwolf can trace its lineage directly back to Plioviverrops 15 million years ago, and is the only survivor of the dog-like hyena lineage.
Percrocutidae is an extinct family of hyena-like feliform carnivorans endemic to Asia, Africa, and Southern Europe from the Middle Miocene through the Pliocene, existing for about [ 1 ] The first percrocutids are known from the middle Miocene of Europe and western Asia and belonged to the genus Percrocuta .
Cave hyena (Crocuta (crocuta) spelaea and Crocuta (crocuta) ultima) are extinct species or subspecies of hyena known from Eurasia, which ranged from Western Europe to eastern Asia and Siberia during the Pleistocene epoch. It is well represented in many European caves, primarily dating to the Last Glacial Period.
Dinocrocuta is an extinct genus of large percrocutid, an extinct group of hyena-like carnivorans. It lived in Asia, Europe and Africa during the late Miocene epoch. It had very strong jaws that were able to crush bones. [1] [2] It considerably exceeded the size of living hyenas.
Some species like Oxyaena forcipata were bigger with a body mass estimated to be 20 kg. [11] Oxyaena had a broad, low skull (20 cm long) with a long facial part and a massive lower jaw, while its body and tail were long and its five-toed limbs were short. Oxyaenidae, a family of extinct meat-eating mammals, takes its name from this genus.
Protictitherium (gr. first striking beast) is an extinct genus of hyena that lived across Europe and Asia during the Middle and Late Miocene, it is often considered to be the first hyena since it contains some of the oldest fossils of the family. [1] [2] [3] They were especially prolific in Turkey, where every species has been registered. [4]