Amphicticeps enters the LRT with Cynogale, the otter civet
According to Wikipedia – Amphicticeps
“Amphicticeps is an extinct genus of small, weasel-like carnivoran mammal. It lived in Mongolia during the Oligocene. The classification of Amphicticeps has historically been problematic.”
In the large reptile tree (LRT, 2332 taxa), Amphictieps nested with Cynogale (Fig 2) the extant aquatic otter civet from SE Asia.
Figure 1. Amphicticeps as originally illustrated. Colors added here. Frame two lowers the cranium to match related taxa.
” data-medium-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/amphicticeps_skull588.gif?w=185″ data-large-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/amphicticeps_skull588.gif?w=584″ class=”size-full wp-image-91153″ src=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/amphicticeps_skull588.gif” alt=”Figure 1. Amphicticeps as originally illustrated. Colors added here. Frame two lowers the cranium to match related taxa. ” width=”584″ height=”949″ srcset=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/amphicticeps_skull588.gif?w=584&h=949 584w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/amphicticeps_skull588.gif?w=92&h=150 92w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/amphicticeps_skull588.gif?w=185&h=300 185w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/amphicticeps_skull588.gif 588w” sizes=”(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px” />
Figure 1. Amphicticeps as originally illustrated. Colors added here. Frame two lowers the cranium to match related taxa.
The holotype
(AMNH 19010, Early Oligocene) is an almost complete skull, broken in the middle at its narrowest dimension. Wang et al 2023 nested Amphicticeps as the earliest diverging pinniped (seals + sea lions + walruses.
The LRT confirms that nesting. Wang et al did not include i.
Figure 2. Amphiciteps to scale with Cynogale and basal pinnipeds.
” data-medium-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/cynogale_amhicticeps_skulls588.jpg?w=239″ data-large-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/cynogale_amhicticeps_skulls588.jpg?w=584″ class=”size-full wp-image-91155″ src=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/cynogale_amhicticeps_skulls588.jpg” alt=”Figure 2. Amphiciteps to scale with Cynogale and basal pinnipeds. ” width=”584″ height=”732″ srcset=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/cynogale_amhicticeps_skulls588.jpg?w=584&h=732 584w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/cynogale_amhicticeps_skulls588.jpg?w=120&h=150 120w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/cynogale_amhicticeps_skulls588.jpg?w=239&h=300 239w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/cynogale_amhicticeps_skulls588.jpg 588w” sizes=”(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px” />
Figure 2. Amphiciteps to scale with Cynogale and basal pinnipeds. Amphicyon, Palaeogale and Phoca are pinnipeds in the LRT, separated from Cynogale by Mellivora, the European badger.
Phylogenetic miniaturization
appears to have taken place between Cynogale and Amphicticeps, then on the Palaeogale before the larger extant earless seal, Phoca (Fig 1). Mellivora, the European badger, currently separates them. Note the four premolars in Cynogale and Amphicticep, one more than in Mellivora.
This appears to be a novel hypothesis of interrelationships.
If not please provide a citation so I can promote it here.
References
Matthew WD and Granger W 1924. New Carnivora from the Tertiary of Mongolia. American Museum Novitates 104.
Source: https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/2025/01/18/amphicticeps-enters-the-lrt-with-cynogale-the-otter-civet/
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