Biology:Lontra weiri
| Weir's otter | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Mustelidae |
| Genus: | Lontra |
| Species: | †L. weiri
|
| Binomial name | |
| †Lontra weiri Prassack (2016)
| |
Lontra weiri (Weir's otter) is a fossil species in the carnivoran family Mustelidae from the Hagerman Fossil Beds of Idaho. It shared its habitat with Satherium piscinarium, a probable ancestor of the giant otter of South America.[1] It is named in honor of musician Bob Weir, and is the oldest known member of its genus.[2] Prior to its discovery, Lontra was thought to have evolved from Lutra licenti, which dates from the Pleistocene of East Asia.[3]
Description
Weir's otter was intermediate in form between Lutra (Old World river otters) and modern members of its genus. It was a small otter, similar in size to the modern marine otter (Lontra felina),[2] which has a head-body length of 33 to 44 inches and can weigh up to 12 pounds.[4] It is known from most of a right mandible and a left humerus.[2]
References
- ↑ Prassack, K.A. (July 2016). "Lontra weiri, sp. nov., a Pliocene river otter (Mammalia, Carnivora, Mustelidae, Lutrinae) from the Hagerman Fossil Beds (Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument), Idaho, USA". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 36 (4): e1149075. doi:10.1080/02724634.2016.1149075.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Switek, Brian. "Paleo Profile: Bob Weir's Otter". https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/laelaps/paleo-profile-bob-weir-s-otter/.
- ↑ Revell, Jamie. "Ancient Otters of Idaho". https://synapsida.blogspot.com/2016/09/ancient-otters-of-idaho.html.
- ↑ Marine otter (Lontra felina). arkive.org
Wikidata ☰ Q55621237 entry
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