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{{Short description|Extinct species of |
{{Short description|Extinct species of carnivoran}} |
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{{italic title}}{{speciesbox |
{{italic title}}{{speciesbox |
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| name = ''Ekorus'' |
| name = ''Ekorus'' |
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| authority = [[Lars Werdelin|Werdelin]], 2003}} |
| authority = [[Lars Werdelin|Werdelin]], 2003}} |
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'''''Ekorus ekakeran''''' is a large extinct [[mustelidae|mustelid]] |
'''''Ekorus ekakeran''''' is a large, extinct [[mustelidae|mustelid]] mammal. Fossils, including largely complete skeletons, are known from the late [[Miocene]] of [[Kenya]].<ref>Howell F. C. & García N. 2007. — Carnivora (Mammalia) from Lemudong’o (late Miocene: Narok District, Kenya). ''Kirtlandia'' 56: 121-139.</ref> |
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== Description == |
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Standing {{convert|60|cm|ft|sigfig=1}} tall at the shoulders, its build was not similar to that of modern mustelids. Modern-day weasels have short legs and can only achieve short bursts of speed. The legs of ''Ekorus'' are built like those of leopards.<ref>Werdelin L. 2003. — Mio-Pliocene Carnivora from Lothagam, Kenya, in Leakey M. G. & Harris J. D. (eds), ''Lothagam: Dawn of Humanity in Eastern Africa''. Columbia University Press, New York: 261-328.</ref> It appears that before Africa's big cats ruled the savannas, the giant mustelid ''Ekorus'' chased down its prey, such as the three-toed horse ''[[Eurygnathohippus]]'' and the large pig ''[[Nyanzachoerus]]''. The reason for this evolution may be related to the [[Great Rift Valley, Kenya|Great Rift Valley]]. Before the rift opened, [[Kenya]] was more forested.<ref>Werdelin L. & Simpson S. W. 2009. — The last amphicyonid (Mammalia, Carnivora) in Africa. ''Geodiversitas'' 31 (4) : 775-787.</ref> Eventually as moisture was drawn from the forests by the highlands, the forests opened up into grasslands. The swifter creatures built for open terrain prospered, while the slower forest species perished.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}} |
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''Ekorus'' reached almost {{cvt|44|kg}}, comparably to a [[wolf]]<ref> |
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{{cite book |
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| isbn = 9781400884452 |
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| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=eiftDAAAQBAJ&dq=Ekorus++size&pg=PA144 |
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| title = The Princeton Field Guide to Prehistoric Mammals |
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| publisher = Princeton University Press |
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| date = 2016 |
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| access-date = 2022-08-28 |
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| page = 144 |
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| author = Donald R. Prothero |
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}}</ref> and much bigger than the modern [[honey badger]] (''[[Mellivora capensis]]'').<ref> |
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{{cite book |
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| isbn = 9780231507608 |
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| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=fgyKCnZD0R8C&dq=Ekorus++size&pg=PA662 |
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| title = Lothagam: The Dawn of Humanity in Eastern Africa |
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| publisher = Columbia University Press |
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| date = 2003 |
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| access-date = 2022-08-28 |
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| page = 662 |
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| author = John M. Harris, Meave G. Leakey |
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}}</ref> Standing {{convert|60|cm|ft|abbr=on}} tall at the shoulders, its build was not similar to that of modern mustelids. Small, modern-day weasels have short legs and can only achieve short bursts of speed. Living large mustelids are either aquatic predators (the otters, [[Lutrinae]]), or terrestrial animals with a crouching stance and heavy limbs with adaptations for digging (the [[wolverine]], and various groups called [[badger]]s). ''Ekorus'' is a representative of an extinct ecological type of mustelid – large stalking and running mammals comparable to [[Canidae|dogs]], [[Felidae|cats]], [[hyena]]s, and [[Bear dog|amphicyonids]]. The legs of ''Ekorus'' are built like those of leopards.<ref>Werdelin L. 2003. — Mio-Pliocene Carnivora from Lothagam, Kenya, in Leakey M. G. & Harris J. D. (eds), ''Lothagam: Dawn of Humanity in Eastern Africa''. Columbia University Press, New York: 261-328.</ref> The face is short, with a felid-like tooth pattern; Ekorus was a [[hypercarnivore]]. Analysis of the elbow indicates that it was a strong runner, like modern hyenas and dogs, and did not grapple with its paws, as bears and raccoons do. The legs are long; the feet are short and stout.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Andersson|first=Ki|date=September 2004|title=Elbow-joint morphology as a guide to forearm function and foraging behaviour in mammalian carnivores|journal=Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society|volume=142|issue=1|pages=91–104|doi=10.1111/j.1096-3642.2004.00129.x|issn=1096-3642|doi-access=free}}</ref> |
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Fossils of |
Fossils of giant Miocene mustelids with similar morphology, reconstructed as hypercarnivores or carnivore-scavengers, have also been discovered in North America,<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Valenciano|first1=Alberto|last2=Baskin|first2=Jon A.|last3=Abella|first3=Juan|last4=Pérez-Ramos|first4=Alejandro|last5=Álvarez-Sierra|first5=M. Ángeles|last6=Morales|first6=Jorge|last7=Hartstone-Rose|first7=Adam|date=2016-04-07|title=Megalictis, the Bone-Crushing Giant Mustelid (Carnivora, Mustelidae, Oligobuninae) from the Early Miocene of North America|journal=PLOS ONE|language=en|volume=11|issue=4|pages=e0152430|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0152430|issn=1932-6203|pmc=4824437|pmid=27054570|doi-access=free }}</ref> [[Europe]],<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Valenciano|first1=Alberto|last2=Abella|first2=Juan|last3=Sanisidro|first3=Oscar|last4=Hartstone-Rose|first4=Adam|last5=Álvarez-Sierra|first5=María Ángeles|last6=Morales|first6=Jorge|date=2015-07-04|title=Complete description of the skull and mandible of the giant mustelid Eomellivora piveteaui Ozansoy, 1965 (Mammalia, Carnivora, Mustelidae), from Batallones (MN10), late Miocene (Madrid, Spain)|url=https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2014.934570|journal=Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology|volume=35|issue=4|pages=e934570|doi=10.1080/02724634.2014.934570|s2cid=86216613 |issn=0272-4634}}</ref> and [[Asia]],<ref>{{cite journal |last1= Pickford |first1= M. |date= 2007 |title= Revision de los mamíferos bunodontos de tipo nutria del Mio-Plioceno del Subcontinente Indio |journal= Estudios Geológicos |volume= 63 |issue= 1 |pages= 85–127 |doi= 10.3989/egeol.07631192|doi-access= free }}</ref> as well as other parts of [[Africa]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1= Valenciano |first1= A. |last2= Govender |first2= R. |date= June 2020 |title= New insights into the giant mustelids (Mammalia, Carnivora, Mustelidae) from Langebaanweg fossil site (West Coast Fossil Park, South Africa, early Pliocene) |journal= PeerJ |volume= 8 |pages= 9221 |doi= 10.7717/peerj.9221 |pmid= 32547866 |pmc= 7271888 |doi-access= free }}</ref> |
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== Paleoecology == |
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Apparently before the African savannas evolved, the giant mustelid ''Ekorus'' stalked its prey, such as the three-toed horse ''[[Eurygnathohippus]]'' and the large pig ''[[Nyanzachoerus]]'', in forests and woodlands. |
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In the early Cenozoic, Africa was isolated from Eurasia, where modern African groups such as cats and giraffes first evolved. African predators and prey developed along their own lines to hunt in closed environments. ''Ekorus'' had the upright stance typical of active hunters, lacked digging adaptations, and was leopard-sized, with leopard-like body proportions. Since leopards are ambush hunters in forests and woodlands,<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Gröcke|first=Darren|title=Paleoecological reconstruction of a lower Pleistocene large mammal community using biogeochemical (δ13C, δ15N, δ18O, Sr:Zn) and ecomorphological approaches|url=https://www.academia.edu/1026083|journal=Paleobiology|date=January 2003 }}</ref> ''Ekorus'' may have filled a parallel role in the Miocene forests of Africa.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Turner|first=Alan|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/53900492|title=Evolving eden : an illustrated guide to the evolution of the African large-mammal fauna|date=2004|publisher=Columbia University Press|others=Mauricio Antón|isbn=0-231-11944-5|location=New York|pages=106–107|oclc=53900492}}</ref> Other research has suggested the genus was cursorial, chasing down prey more like a modern [[wolf]] or [[spotted hyena]].<ref name=":0" /> In general, Miocene predators show larger body sizes with anatomies between the modern "dog-like" pursuit running and "cat-like" stalk-pounce-and-grapple strategies. This was suggested to be the result of the great abundance of prey species in Miocene forests, which allowed predators to survive without having to specialize as either fast runners or grapplers.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Andersson|first=Ki|date=2003|title=Aspects of locomotor evolution in the Carnivora (Mammalia)|url=http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-3543}}</ref> |
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== Extinction == |
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[[Felidae|Felids]] are first recorded on the continent in the early Miocene, in north Africa.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Turner|first=Alan|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/53900492|title=Evolving eden : an illustrated guide to the evolution of the African large-mammal fauna|date=2004|publisher=Columbia University Press|others=Mauricio Antón|isbn=0-231-11944-5|location=New York|pages=85|oclc=53900492}}</ref> Tectonic changes starting about 35 million years ago led to the formation of the [[Great Rift Valley, Kenya|Great Rift Valley]], and the rise of highlands that cause [[rain shadow]]s in the surrounding region. Before the rift opened, [[Kenya]] was more forested.<ref>Werdelin L. & Simpson S. W. 2009. — The last amphicyonid (Mammalia, Carnivora) in Africa. ''Geodiversitas'' 31 (4) : 775-787.</ref> Grasslands began to spread across Africa in the mid-Miocene, slowly replacing closed forest environments with open savannas.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Polissar|first1=Pratigya J.|last2=Rose|first2=Cassaundra|last3=Uno|first3=Kevin T.|last4=Phelps|first4=Samuel R.|last5=deMenocal|first5=Peter|date=2019|title=Synchronous rise of African C4 ecosystems 10 million years ago in the absence of aridification|url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-019-0399-2|journal=Nature Geoscience|language=en|volume=12|issue=8|pages=657–660|doi=10.1038/s41561-019-0399-2|s2cid=199473686 |issn=1752-0908}}</ref> Any or all of these factors may have led to the replacement of ''Ekorus'' and other large mustelid hunters by modern felids, hyaenids, and canids. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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{{Musteloidea|Mae.|state=collapsed}} |
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{{taxonbar|from=Q2258308}} |
{{taxonbar|from=Q2258308}} |
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[[Category:Miocene carnivorans]] |
[[Category:Miocene carnivorans]] |
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[[Category:Fossil taxa described in 2003]] |
[[Category:Fossil taxa described in 2003]] |
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[[Category:Prehistoric carnivoran genera]] |
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[[Category:Prehistoric monotypic mammal genera]] |
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Latest revision as of 16:35, 3 December 2023
| Ekorus Temporal range: Late Miocene,
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| Ekorus ekakeran | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Mustelidae |
| Genus: | †Ekorus Werdelin, 2003 |
| Species: | †E. ekakeran
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| Binomial name | |
| †Ekorus ekakeran Werdelin, 2003
| |
Ekorus ekakeran is a large, extinct mustelid mammal. Fossils, including largely complete skeletons, are known from the late Miocene of Kenya.[1]
Description[edit]
Ekorus reached almost 44 kg (97 lb), comparably to a wolf[2] and much bigger than the modern honey badger (Mellivora capensis).[3] Standing 60 cm (2.0 ft) tall at the shoulders, its build was not similar to that of modern mustelids. Small, modern-day weasels have short legs and can only achieve short bursts of speed. Living large mustelids are either aquatic predators (the otters, Lutrinae), or terrestrial animals with a crouching stance and heavy limbs with adaptations for digging (the wolverine, and various groups called badgers). Ekorus is a representative of an extinct ecological type of mustelid – large stalking and running mammals comparable to dogs, cats, hyenas, and amphicyonids. The legs of Ekorus are built like those of leopards.[4] The face is short, with a felid-like tooth pattern; Ekorus was a hypercarnivore. Analysis of the elbow indicates that it was a strong runner, like modern hyenas and dogs, and did not grapple with its paws, as bears and raccoons do. The legs are long; the feet are short and stout.[5]
Fossils of giant Miocene mustelids with similar morphology, reconstructed as hypercarnivores or carnivore-scavengers, have also been discovered in North America,[6] Europe,[7] and Asia,[8] as well as other parts of Africa.[9]
Paleoecology[edit]
Apparently before the African savannas evolved, the giant mustelid Ekorus stalked its prey, such as the three-toed horse Eurygnathohippus and the large pig Nyanzachoerus, in forests and woodlands.
In the early Cenozoic, Africa was isolated from Eurasia, where modern African groups such as cats and giraffes first evolved. African predators and prey developed along their own lines to hunt in closed environments. Ekorus had the upright stance typical of active hunters, lacked digging adaptations, and was leopard-sized, with leopard-like body proportions. Since leopards are ambush hunters in forests and woodlands,[10] Ekorus may have filled a parallel role in the Miocene forests of Africa.[11] Other research has suggested the genus was cursorial, chasing down prey more like a modern wolf or spotted hyena.[5] In general, Miocene predators show larger body sizes with anatomies between the modern "dog-like" pursuit running and "cat-like" stalk-pounce-and-grapple strategies. This was suggested to be the result of the great abundance of prey species in Miocene forests, which allowed predators to survive without having to specialize as either fast runners or grapplers.[12]
Extinction[edit]
Felids are first recorded on the continent in the early Miocene, in north Africa.[13] Tectonic changes starting about 35 million years ago led to the formation of the Great Rift Valley, and the rise of highlands that cause rain shadows in the surrounding region. Before the rift opened, Kenya was more forested.[14] Grasslands began to spread across Africa in the mid-Miocene, slowly replacing closed forest environments with open savannas.[15] Any or all of these factors may have led to the replacement of Ekorus and other large mustelid hunters by modern felids, hyaenids, and canids.
References[edit]
- ^ Howell F. C. & García N. 2007. — Carnivora (Mammalia) from Lemudong’o (late Miocene: Narok District, Kenya). Kirtlandia 56: 121-139.
- ^ Donald R. Prothero (2016). The Princeton Field Guide to Prehistoric Mammals. Princeton University Press. p. 144. ISBN 9781400884452. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
- ^ John M. Harris, Meave G. Leakey (2003). Lothagam: The Dawn of Humanity in Eastern Africa. Columbia University Press. p. 662. ISBN 9780231507608. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
- ^ Werdelin L. 2003. — Mio-Pliocene Carnivora from Lothagam, Kenya, in Leakey M. G. & Harris J. D. (eds), Lothagam: Dawn of Humanity in Eastern Africa. Columbia University Press, New York: 261-328.
- ^ a b Andersson, Ki (September 2004). "Elbow-joint morphology as a guide to forearm function and foraging behaviour in mammalian carnivores". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 142 (1): 91–104. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.2004.00129.x. ISSN 1096-3642.
- ^ Valenciano, Alberto; Baskin, Jon A.; Abella, Juan; Pérez-Ramos, Alejandro; Álvarez-Sierra, M. Ángeles; Morales, Jorge; Hartstone-Rose, Adam (2016-04-07). "Megalictis, the Bone-Crushing Giant Mustelid (Carnivora, Mustelidae, Oligobuninae) from the Early Miocene of North America". PLOS ONE. 11 (4): e0152430. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0152430. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 4824437. PMID 27054570.
- ^ Valenciano, Alberto; Abella, Juan; Sanisidro, Oscar; Hartstone-Rose, Adam; Álvarez-Sierra, María Ángeles; Morales, Jorge (2015-07-04). "Complete description of the skull and mandible of the giant mustelid Eomellivora piveteaui Ozansoy, 1965 (Mammalia, Carnivora, Mustelidae), from Batallones (MN10), late Miocene (Madrid, Spain)". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 35 (4): e934570. doi:10.1080/02724634.2014.934570. ISSN 0272-4634. S2CID 86216613.
- ^ Pickford, M. (2007). "Revision de los mamíferos bunodontos de tipo nutria del Mio-Plioceno del Subcontinente Indio". Estudios Geológicos. 63 (1): 85–127. doi:10.3989/egeol.07631192.
- ^ Valenciano, A.; Govender, R. (June 2020). "New insights into the giant mustelids (Mammalia, Carnivora, Mustelidae) from Langebaanweg fossil site (West Coast Fossil Park, South Africa, early Pliocene)". PeerJ. 8: 9221. doi:10.7717/peerj.9221. PMC 7271888. PMID 32547866.
- ^ Gröcke, Darren (January 2003). "Paleoecological reconstruction of a lower Pleistocene large mammal community using biogeochemical (δ13C, δ15N, δ18O, Sr:Zn) and ecomorphological approaches". Paleobiology.
- ^ Turner, Alan (2004). Evolving eden : an illustrated guide to the evolution of the African large-mammal fauna. Mauricio Antón. New York: Columbia University Press. pp. 106–107. ISBN 0-231-11944-5. OCLC 53900492.
- ^ Andersson, Ki (2003). "Aspects of locomotor evolution in the Carnivora (Mammalia)".
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ Turner, Alan (2004). Evolving eden : an illustrated guide to the evolution of the African large-mammal fauna. Mauricio Antón. New York: Columbia University Press. p. 85. ISBN 0-231-11944-5. OCLC 53900492.
- ^ Werdelin L. & Simpson S. W. 2009. — The last amphicyonid (Mammalia, Carnivora) in Africa. Geodiversitas 31 (4) : 775-787.
- ^ Polissar, Pratigya J.; Rose, Cassaundra; Uno, Kevin T.; Phelps, Samuel R.; deMenocal, Peter (2019). "Synchronous rise of African C4 ecosystems 10 million years ago in the absence of aridification". Nature Geoscience. 12 (8): 657–660. doi:10.1038/s41561-019-0399-2. ISSN 1752-0908. S2CID 199473686.