Dinailurictis bonali Helbing, 1922

(Fig. 5 A-D)

TYPE SPECIMEN. — Lectotype, left upper canine (NMB-AGN 618) NHMB, from La Tuque, France, was designated by Kretzoi (1929: 1320).

NEW MATERIAL. — UM VD 46, fragment of lower canine; UM VBOA 3-15, distal right humerus; UM VBOA 3-17, distal left ulna; UM VBOA 3-16, proximal of piece right femur.

DESCRIPTION

The lower canine (UM VD46), of which part of the root and part of the crown are broken off (Fig.5D), displays the large size and crenulated trenchant distal carena that is typical of a large sabre-toothed cat. Eofelis, Nimravus, and Eusmilus are too small for this canine. We think that it belongs to Dinailurictis bonali.

UM VBOA3-15, distal right humerus, has only a part preserved, the epitrochlear arch is lacking (Fig. 5A). The size is intermediate between lion and leopard. The medial lip of the trochlea is less projecting than in modern large cats. It is may be an indication of a different way of running, Dinailurictis being less cursorial, a projected lip fixing better the elbow joint in cranio-caudal movements. The cranial fossa for receiving the olecranon process of the ulna is quite deep. The size fits Dinailurictis bonali.

UM VD-45, a distal left ulna (Fig. 5C), whose size is intermediate between lion and leopard, is characterized by a high and sharp interosseous crest.

UM VBOA3-16, a proximal right femur (Fig. 5B), consists of a small part of femur whose size is also intermediate between those of leopard and lion. The inter-trochanteric crest is well developed and the trochanteric fossa is deep. The small trochanter projects well laterally.