Arminiheringia is an extinct genus of sparassodont. It lived during the Early Eocene in South America.
Description
This animal had an exceptionally robust skull with strong teeth. The lower canines were exceptionally long and projected forward. The molars and premolars suggests a
carnivorous diet. Its body was probably massive, and the animal reached a considerable size, about 1.8 meters in length. Its legs were strong and sturdy, with a general appearance probably resembling that of a modern
bear.
Classification
Arminiheringia was a typical member of the family
Proborhyaenidae, a clade of South American bear-like
. Those animals belonged to the order Sparassodonta, a clade related to marsupials whose members, during the course of their evolution, occupied niches ordinarily occupied on other continents by
Carnivora.
Arminiheringia and its relatives superficially resembled
. The only currently recognized species is
Arminiheringia auceta. It was closely related to
Callistoe.
Paleobiology
Its strong, sturdy body and its skull armed with large teeth are typical indicators of a carnivorous diet ; the strange lower canines, elongated forwards, indicates that
Arminiheringia was a specialised predator, although its hunting techniques are still a mystery.
Bibliography
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Babot, M. J., Powell, J. E. & de Muizon, C. 2002. Callistoe vincei, a new Proborhyaenidae (Borhyaenoidea, Metatheria, Mammalia) from the Early Eocene of Argentina. Geobios 35, 615–629.
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Bond, M. & Pascual, R. 1983. Nuevos y elocuentes restos craneanos de Proborhyaena gigantea Ameghino, 1897 (Marsupialia, Borhyaenidae, Proborhyaeninae) de la Edad Deseadense. Un ejemplo de coevolución. Ameghiniana 20, 47–60.
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Simpson, G. G. 1932. Skulls and brains of some mammals from the Notostylops beds of Patagonia. American Museum Novitates 578, 1-11.
