Lynx issiodorensis
Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Suborder
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Lynx issiodorensis

Lynx issiodorensis, sometimes called the Issoire lynx, is an extinct species of lynx that inhabited Europe during the late Pliocene to Pleistocene epochs, and may have originated in Africa during the late Pliocene. It is named after the town of Issoire where the first remains were found. It probably became extinct during the end of the last glacial period.

Show More

It is generally considered as the ancestor of all four species of lynx alive today. Its skeleton resembled that of living lynxes, but it had shorter and more robust limbs, with a larger head and longer neck. As a result, the Issoire lynx more closely resembled a typical member of the cat family than do its extant descendants.

In 1945, another lynx species, Lynx shansius, was described based on fossils from Asia. However, in 1984 a reexamination of the L. shansius material determined it to be synonymous with L. issiodorensis.

Show Less

References

1. Lynx issiodorensis Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynx_issiodorensis

More Fascinating Animals to Learn About