A new species of Cernictis (Mammalia, Carnivora, Mustelidae) from the Late Miocene Bidahochi Formation of Arizona, USA

Jon A. Baskin

ABSTRACT

Cernictis repenningi is a new species of mustelid carnivore from the middle Hemphillian (late Miocene) Bidahochi Formation of northeastern Arizona. Cernictis is a late Miocene immigrant from the Old World, where it apparently is represented by undescribed material from China. The upper dentition of this material indicates that Cernictis is a primitive member of the tribe Galictini, which includes one or two extant Neotropical genera, five extinct New World genera, and three or four extinct Old World genera.

Jon A. Baskin. Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, Texas 78363, USA. 

KEY WORDS: Bidahochi Formation; Hemphillian; Mustelidae; Cernictis; new species

PE Article Number: 14.3.26A
Copyright: Society of Vertebrate Paleontology November 2011
Submission: 15 June 2007. Acceptance: 13 February 2011