Editing Pseudaelurus

{{Short description|Extinct genus of carnivores}}
{{Automatic taxobox
|taxon = Pseudaelurus
|authority = [[Paul Gervais|Gervais]], 1850
|fossil_range = {{geological range|20|8|[[Miocene]]}}
|image = Pseudaelurus.JPG
|image_caption = ''Pseudaelurus'' jawbone from the [[Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart]], Germany
|type_species = †'''''Pseudaelurus quadridentatus'''''
|type_species_authority = (Blainville, 1843) ''sensu'' Gervais, 1850
|subdivision_ranks = Other Species
|subdivision =
* †''P. cuspidatus'' {{small|Wang ''et al.'', 1998}}
* †''P. guangheensis'' {{small|Cao ''et al.'', 1990}}
|synonyms =
'''''P. quadridentatus'''''
*''Felis quadridentata'' {{small|Blainville, 1843}}
}}

'''''Pseudaelurus''''' is a prehistoric [[Felidae|cat]] that lived in [[Europe]], [[Asia]] and [[North America]] in the [[Miocene]] between approximately twenty and eight million years ago. It is considered to be a [[Paraphyly|paraphyletic]] grade ancestral to living [[Felinae|felines]] and [[Pantherinae|pantherines]] as well as the extinct [[Machairodontinae|machairodonts]] (saber-tooths), and is a successor to ''[[Proailurus]]''. It originated from Eurasia and was the first cat to reach North America, when it entered the continent at about 18.5&nbsp;[[Megaannum#SI prefix multipliers|Ma]] ending a '[[cat-gap]]' of 7 million years.<ref name=Tedford1978>{{cite book |author1=Tedford, R. H. |author2=Galusha, T. |author3=Skinner, M. F. |author4=Taylor, B. E. |author5=Fields, R. W. |author6=Macdonald, J. R. |author7=Rensberger, J. M. |author8=Webb, S. D. |author9=Whistler, D.P. |year=1987 |chapter=Faunal succession and biochronology of the Arikareean through Hemphillian interval (late Oligocene through earliest Pliocene epochs) in North America |title=Cenozoic mammals of North America: Geochronology and biostratigraphy|editor=Woodburne, M. O. |publisher=University of California Press |location=Berkeley |pages=153–210 |isbn=0-520-05392-3}}</ref><ref name=Rothwell2003>{{cite journal |author1=Rothwell, Tom |title=Phylogenetic systematics of North American ''Pseudaelurus'' (Carnivora: Felidae) |journal=American Museum Novitates |issue=3403 |year=2003 |pages=1–64 |url=http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/bitstream/handle/2246/2829/v2/dspace/ingest/pdfSource/nov/N3403.pdf?sequence=1&sa=U&ei=0S79UNrkFJSGhQeUhIDIBQ&ved=0CBUQFjAA&sig2=r_VziMUyYLwJPQq_P43EJw&usg=AFQjCNEfHwEMGAy1RZq4OJi40dkySY-o7A |issn=0003-0082 |doi=10.1206/0003-0082(2003)403<0001:psonap>2.0.co;2|hdl=2246/2829 |s2cid=67753626 }}</ref> The slender proportions of the animal, together with its short, [[viverridae|viverrid]]-like legs, suggest that it may have been an agile climber of trees.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Turner |first1=Alan |last2=Antón |first2=Mauricio |year=1997 |title=The Big Cats and their fossil relatives |location=New York |publisher=Columbia University Press |isbn=0-231-10228-3}}</ref>

==Species and distribution==
[[File:Mascall-Mural.jpg|thumb|left|Restoration of ''Pseudaelurus'' (in tree at upper right) and other animals of the Mascall assemblage ]] 
''Pseudaelurus quadridentatus'' weighed about {{convert|30|kg|abbr=on}} and was approximately the size of a [[cougar]]. 

''Pseudaelurus guangheensis'' from the middle Miocene of [[Gansu]] (China) and ''Pseudaelurus cuspidatus'' from the middle Miocene of [[Xinjiang]] (China) are reported.<ref name=Rothwell2003/>

==Taxonomy and phylogeny==
{{Location map+ |World |float=right |width=600 |caption=Location of ''Pseudaelurus'' grade fossils based on Paleobiology Database.<ref name=Pseudaelurus>{{cite web |title=Pseudaelurus |url=https://www.paleobiodb.org/navigator |website=paleobiodb.org |publisher=The data were downloaded from the Paleobiology Database on June 27, 2017 using the taxon name 'Pseudaelurus' |access-date=June 27, 2017}}</ref>{{plainlist|
* [[File:Purple_pog.svg|8px]] †''Pseudaelurus''
* [[File:Green_pog.svg|8px]] †''[[Styriofelis]]''
* [[File:Blue_pog.svg|8px]] †''[[Hyperailurictis]]''
* [[File:Brown_pog.svg|8px]] now assigned to †''Afrosmilus'' within the family †[[Barbourofelidae]]}}
|places=
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|42.799999|-100.800003}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Big Beaver A (Ash Hollow), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|43.200001|-101.800003}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Big Spring Canyon, US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|42.900002|-98.800003}} |label=Pseudaelurus intrepidus from Forked Hills of Hayden, US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|42.799999|-100.800003}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Fort Niobrara (Valentine), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|41.5|-103.800003}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Immense Journey Quarry, US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|42.900002|-98.800003}} |label=Pseudaelurus marshi from Joseph Jamber Quarry, US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|40.799999|-103.099998}} |label=Pseudaelurus stouti from Kennesaw (Pawnee Creek Beds), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|41.5|-103.800003}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Mastodon Quarry, US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|42.799999|-100.800003}} |label=Pseudaelurus marshi from Mouth of Minnechaduza Creek, US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|41.299999|-105.099998}} |label=Pseudaelurus intrepidus from Trail Creek Quarry (Ash Hollow), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|42.799999|-100.800003}} |label=Pseudaelurus marshi from Valentine Railway Quarries (Valentine), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|42.799999|-100.800003}} |label=Pseudaelurus intrepidus from Valentine Railway Quarries (Valentine), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|42.599998|-98}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Verdigre Quarry (Valentine), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|43.299999|-102.5}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Wolf Creek (SDSM V-5324), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|21.083332|-100.666664}} |label=Pseudaelurus intrepidus from Rancho El Ocote (Basal) (Rancho Viejo Beds), MX |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|28.799999|-108}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Yepomera, MX |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|49.200001|-106.199997}} |label=Pseudaelurus aeluroides from Yost Farm (Wood Mountain), CA |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|43.599998|-117.5}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Black Butte (UO 2343) (Juntura), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|38.25|-117.900002}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Cedar Mountain (Esmeralda), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|37.956669|-118.031944}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Fish Lake Valley (Esmeralda), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|43.599998|-117.5}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Juniper Creek (UO 2451), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|43.599998|-117.5}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Red Basin (UO 2495) (Butte Creek Volcanic Sandstone), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|38.099998|-117.300003}} |label=Pseudaelurus intrepidus from Tonopah, US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|34.799999|-117}} |label=Pseudaelurus intrepidus from Avawatz Mountains (Avawatz), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|34.299999|-119}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Kent Quarry (DS Caliente), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|35.5|-106.199997}} |label=Pseudaelurus validus from Nambe (Tesuque), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|34.299999|-119}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Quatal Canyon South Side 3 (MR Caliente), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|34.700001|-113.400002}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Wikieup (Big Sandy), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|35|-100.800003}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Adam Risley Ranch, US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|29.265278|-103.045555}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Screw Bean (Banta Shut-In), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|50.683334|17.166668}} |label=Pseudaelurus quadridentatus from Przeworno 1, Lower Silesia, PL |position=none |mark=Purple_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|50.683334|17.166668}} |label=Pseudaelurus lorteti from Przeworno 2, Lower Silesia, PL |position=none |mark=Green_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|25.016666|102.066666}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Lufeng, Section D, Layer 2, CN |position=none |mark=Purple_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|25.016666|102.066666}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Lufeng, Section D, Layer 3, CN |position=none |mark=Purple_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|25.016666|102.066666}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Lufeng, Section D, Layer 4, CN |position=none |mark=Purple_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|25.016666|102.066666}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Lufeng, Section D, Layer 5, CN |position=none |mark=Purple_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|25.016666|102.066666}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Lufeng, Section D, Layer 6, CN |position=none |mark=Purple_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|25.98361|49.393612}} |label=Pseudaelurus turnauensis from Al-Sarrar, Locality 8, Dam Formation (Dam), SA |position=none |mark=Green_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|25.627222|104.73333}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Panxian Dadong, CN |position=none |mark=Purple_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|48.484444|10.098333}} |label=Pseudaelurus romieviensis from Langenau 1 (Brackwater Molasse), DE |position=none |mark=Green_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|44.016666|0.45}} |label=Pseudaelurus from BÃ©zian, FR |position=none |mark=Purple_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|44.016666|0.45}} |label=Pseudaelurus lorteti from BÃ©zian, FR |position=none |mark=Green_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|48.133331|1.816667}} |label=Pseudaelurus romieviensis from Baigneaux-en-Beauce, FR |position=none |mark=Green_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|48.076389|1.856944}} |label=Pseudaelurus lorteti from Artenay, FR |position=none |mark=Green_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|48.200001|17.016666}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Zapfe's fissures, SK |position=none |mark=Purple_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|48.200001|17}} |label=Pseudaelurus lorteti from Sandberg, SK |position=none |mark=Green_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|48.200001|17}} |label=Pseudaelurus turnauensis from Sandberg, SK |position=none |mark=Green_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|48.351391|9.858333}} |label=Pseudaelurus lorteti from Eggingen-Mittelhart 3 (Brackwater Molasse), DE |position=none |mark=Green_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|43.983334|0.5}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Pellecahus, FR |position=none |mark=Purple_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|39.973888|28.303612}} |label=Pseudaelurus quadridentatus from Pasalar, TR |position=none |mark=Purple_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|39.973888|28.303612}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Pasalar, TR |position=none |mark=Purple_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|40.5|23}} |label=Pseudaelurus lorteti from Antonios (Antonios), GR |position=none |mark=Green_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|40.5|23}} |label=Pseudaelurus quadridentatus from Antonios (Antonios), GR |position=none |mark=Purple_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|46.759998|31.1}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Isayevo, UA |position=none |mark=Purple_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|42.033333|-102.75}} |label=Pseudaelurus aeluroides from Northeast Rim of Sinclair Draw (Olcott), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|45.344166|101.833611}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Ulaan Tologoi, UTO-A/5 (Loh), MN |position=none |mark=Purple_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|42.400002|-103.800003}} |label=Pseudaelurus intrepidus from Rhino Quarry (F:AM) (Sheep Creek), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|43.983334|0.5}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Pellecahus, FR |position=none |mark=Purple_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|35.299999|-118.5}} |label=Pseudaelurus intrepidus from Sharktooth Hill (terrestrial mammals) (Temblor), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|48.663612|10.229167}} |label=Pseudaelurus quadridentatus from Oggenhausen 2 (Upper Freshwater Molasse), DE |position=none |mark=Purple_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|-0.4|34.116699}} |label=Pseudaelurus africanus from Rusinga Island, KE |position=none |mark=Brown_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|-0.0333|35.216702}} |label=Pseudaelurus africanus from Songhor (Main Site), KE |position=none |mark=Brown_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|0.843333|34.157501}} |label=Pseudaelurus africanus from Karungu, KE |position=none |mark=Brown_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|47.548058|-0.041111}} |label=Pseudaelurus lorteti from Pontigne 3, FR |position=none |mark=Green_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|47.548058|-0.041111}} |label=Pseudaelurus turnauensis from Pontigne 4 (marine), FR |position=none |mark=Green_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|47.548058|-0.041111}} |label=Pseudaelurus lorteti from Pontigne 4 (marine), FR |position=none |mark=Green_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|47.53389|-0.025833}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Grand-Trouve 4 (marine), FR |position=none |mark=Purple_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|47.53389|-0.025833}} |label=Pseudaelurus lorteti from Grand-Trouve 4 (marine), FR |position=none |mark=Green_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|47.53389|-0.025833}} |label=Pseudaelurus romieviensis from Grand-Trouve 4 (marine), FR |position=none |mark=Green_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|36.544167|-120.553055}} |label=Pseudaelurus marshi from UCMP V-99563 (Temblor), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|42.400002|-103.800003}} |label=Pseudaelurus validus from Greenside Quarry (Sheep Creek), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|42.400002|-103.800003}} |label=Pseudaelurus validus from Pliohippus Draw (Lower) (Sheep Creek), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|42.400002|-103.800003}} |label=Pseudaelurus validus from Humbug Quarry (Olcott), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|42.400002|-103.800003}} |label=Pseudaelurus validus from Far Surface Quarry (Olcott), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|42.400002|-103.800003}} |label=Pseudaelurus validus from North Wall Quarry (Olcott), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|42.1856|-103.732651}} |label=Pseudaelurus validus from Echo Quarry (Olcott), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|34.299999|-119}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Quatal Canyon South Side 14 (DSC Caliente), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|35.299999|-118.5}} |label=Pseudaelurus intrepidus from Sharktooth Hill (Temblor), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|42.400002|-103.800003}} |label=Pseudaelurus from Princeton Loc. 1000C (Olcott), US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|42.683334|-102.849998}} |label=Pseudaelurus marshi from Observation Quarry, US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|42.683334|-102.849998}} |label=Pseudaelurus stouti from Observation Quarry, US |position=none |mark=Blue_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|43.450001|0.716667}} |label=Pseudaelurus quadridentatus from En Pejouan, FR |position=none |mark=Purple_pog.svg}}
{{location map~ |World |coordinates={{coord|43.483334|0.7}} |label=Pseudaelurus quadridentatus from Malartic, a la ferme Larrieu, FR |position=none |mark=Purple_pog.svg}}
}}

Traditionally, all the ''Pseudaelurus''-grade species from Europe, Asia, and North America have been assigned to a single genus, even though the paraphyletic nature of the group has often been noted. Several authorities have split ''Pseudaelurus'' into separate genera or subgenera, including ''[[Hyperailurictis]]'', ''[[Styriofelis]]'', ''Miopanthera'' and ''Schizailurus''. These different groups of ''Pseudaelurus''-grade felids are often considered to have given rise to later felid lineages.

The genus ''Styriofelis'' was originally proposed in 1929 by Kretzoi for the species ''Pseudaelurus turnaeunsis''.<ref name=Kretzoi1929a>{{cite journal |author1=Kretzoi, M. |title=Feliden-Studien |journal=A Magyar Királyi Földtani Intézet Hazinyomdaja |volume=24 |pages=1–22 |year=1929a}}</ref> Kretzoi also proposed the genus ''Hyperailurictis'' for the North American species ''Pseudaelurus intrepidus'',<ref name=Kretzoi1929b>{{cite journal |author1=Kretzoi, M. |title=Materialien zur phylogenetischen Klassifikation der Aeluroideen |journal=Int Cong Zool Budapest |volume=10 |pages=1293–1355 |year=1929b}}</ref> and ''Miopanthera'' for ''Ps. lorteti''.<ref name=Kretzoi1938>{{cite journal |author1=Kretzoi, M. |title=Die Raubtiere von Gombaszög nebst einer Übersicht der Gesamtfauna |journal=Ann Mus Nat Hungar |volume=31 |pages=88–157 |year=1938}}</ref> In 1964, Beaumont elaborated on Kretzoi's proposal and split ''Pseudaelurus'' into three separate genera: ''Pseudaelurus'' for the European ''Ps. quadridentatus'', ''Schizailurus'' for ''Ps. lorteti'', and ''Hyperailurictis'' for ''Ps. intrepidus''.<ref name=Werdelin2010/>

===Taxonomic history===
In 1843, the paleontologist [[Henri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville|H.M. de Blainville]] published a description of a felid cranium and lower jaw fragment from Sansan, France. He assigned these fossils to a new species, ''Felis quadridentata''. The cranium was later reassigned to another species, but in 1850 the lower jaw fragment was assigned to a new genus by Paul Gervais as ''Pseudaelurus quadridentatus'', due to having certain primitive features.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Gervais, Paul |author-link=Paul Gervais |title=Zoologie et paléontologie françaises. Nouvelles recherches sur les animaux vertébrés dont on trouve les ossements enfouis dans les sol de le France et sur leur comparaison avec les espèces propres aux autres regions du globe |journal=Zoologie et Paléontologie Françaises |volume=8 |pages=1–271 |year=1850}}</ref>

In 1858, Joseph Leidy described the species ''Felis intrepidus'', from North America, and reassigned the species as ''Pseudaelurus intrepidus'' in 1869. After that discovery, another eight species of ''Pseudaelurus'' would be described in North America, but only five are still considered valid.<ref name=Rothwell2003/>

In 1872, Henri Filhol described the species ''Pseudaelurus edwardsi'' from France, but the species was reassigned to the nimravid genus ''Eofelis'' in 2000.<ref name=Peigne>{{cite journal |author1=Peigné, Stéphane |year=2000 |title=A new species of Eofelis (Carnivora: Nimravidae) from the Phosphorites of Quercy, France |journal=Comptes Rendus de l'Académie des Sciences, Série IIA |volume=330 |issue=9 |pages=653–658 |doi=10.1016/s1251-8050(00)00199-3|bibcode=2000CRASE.330..653P }}</ref>

In 1882, a second species from Europe was described as ''Pseudaelurus turauensis'', and a third species, ''Pseudaelurus lorteti'', in 1899. The fourth European species, ''Pseudaelurus romieviensis'', was described in 1934. In addition, the species ''Pseudaelurus transitorius'' was described in 1892, but most later authors considered it a synonym of ''P. turnaeunsis''.<ref name=Rothwell2003/>

In 1914, fossils from Africa were described and assigned to the species ''Pseudaelurus africanus''. However, the species was later reassigned, first to the genus ''Metailurus'', and then finally to ''[[Afrosmilus]]''.<ref name=Morales2008>{{cite journal |author1=Morales, Jorge |author2=Pickford, M. |author3=Salesa, Manuel J. |title=Creodonta and Carnivora from the Early Miocene of the Northern Sperrgebiet, Namibia |journal=Memoir of the Geological Survey of Namibia |volume=20 |pages=291–310 |year=2008}}</ref>

In Asia, the first description of ''Pseudaelurus'' was in 1910, when a fragmentary fossil was assigned to ''Pseudaelurus chinjiensis''; however, it was reassigned in 1915 to the new genus ''[[Sivaelurus]]''.<ref name=Rothwell2004/> The next appearance of ''Pseudaelurus''-grade felids in Asia wasn't until 1986, when a lower jaw fragment and some dental fragments were assigned to the species ''Pseudaelurus lorteti''. In 1990, the species ''Pseudaelurus guangheensis'' was described.<ref name=Cao1990>{{cite journal |author1=Cao, Z. |author2=Du, H |author3=Zhao, Q. |author4=Cheng, J |title=Discovery of the middle Miocene fossil mammals in Guanghe District, Gansu and their stratigraphic significance |journal=Geoscience |volume=4 |pages=16–32 |year=1990}}</ref> In 1998, a second Asian species, ''Pseudaelurus cuspidatus'', was also described.<ref name=Wang1998>{{cite journal |author1=Wang, X. |author2=Ye, J. |author3=Meng, J. |author4=Wu, W |author5=Liu, L. |author6=Bi, S. |title=Carnivora from middle Miocene of northern Junggar Basin, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, China |journal=Vertebrata PalAsiatica |volume=36 |pages=218–243 |year=1998}}</ref> Both of the Asian species are known only from fragmentary fossils.<ref name=Rothwell2003/>

In 1998, while measuring fragmentary fossils from the Hsanda-Gol locality in Mongolia, Robert Hunt referred a lower jaw fragment to ''Proailurus'' sp.; while this was reassigned to the nimravid genus ''Eofelis'' in 1999 instead, a 2004 review of felid material from other localities in Mongolia suggested that it could belong to ''Pseudaelurus cuspidatus'' instead, on basis of having similar features. However, the Hsanda-Gol specimen is dated back to the Oligocene, while ''Pseudaelurus cuspidatus'' is found solely in Miocene-aged localities. The same paper also described a pair of fragments (a lower jaw fragment and a metapodial) and attributed them to ''Pseudaelurus'' sp.<ref name=Rothwell2004>{{cite journal |author1=Rothwell, Tom |title= Chapter 12: New Felid Material from the Ulaan Tologoi Locality, Loh Formation (Early Miocene) of Mongolia|journal= Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History|volume=285 |pages=157–165 |year=2004 |doi=10.1206/0003-0090(2004)285<0157:c>2.0.co;2|citeseerx=10.1.1.616.5669 |s2cid= 85951519}}</ref>

In 2010, a review of the Felidae as a whole suggested that ''Pseudaelurus'' be split into three genera: ''Hyperailurictis'' for the five North American species, ''Styriofelis'' for two of the European species (''P. lorteti'' and ''P. turnaunensis''), and ''Pseudaelurus'' ''sensu stricto'' for ''P. quadridentatus''. The status of ''P. romieviensis'', ''P. guangheensis'', and ''P. cuspidatus'' was given as uncertain. In addition, ''Miopanthera'' and ''Schizailurus'' were recognized as junior synonyms of ''Styriofelis''.<ref name=Werdelin2010>{{cite book |title=Biology and Conservation of Wild Felids |year=2010 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |author=Werdelin, Lars |author2=O'Brien, Stephen J. |author3=Johnson, Warren E. |author4=Yamaguchi, Nobuyuki |editor=Macdonald, D.W. |editor2=Loveridge, A.J. |chapter=Phylogeny and evolution of cats (Felidae) |chapter-url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/266755142}}</ref>

In 2012, a new species ''Styriofelis vallesiensis'' was described based on a specimen found in Spain.<ref name="Salesa2012">{{cite journal |author1=Salesa, Manuel J. |author2=Antón, Mauricio |author3=Morales, Jorge |author4=Peigné, Stéphane |title=Systematics and phylogeny of the small felines (Carnivora, Felidae) from the Late Miocene of Europe: a new species of Felinae from the Vallesian of Batallones (MN 10, Madrid, Spain) |journal=Journal of Systematic Palaeontology |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=87–102 |year=2012 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/254249560 |issn=1477-2019 |doi=10.1080/14772019.2011.566584|s2cid=84912711 }}</ref> However, a review of the species in 2017 concluded that it was sufficiently different from other ''Styriofelis'' species as to require a separate genus. It was thus reassigned to the new genus ''[[Leptofelis]]'' as ''Leptofelis vallesiensis''.<ref name=Salesa2017>{{cite journal |author1=Salesa, Manuel J. |author2=Siliceo, Gema |author3=Antón, Mauricio |author4=Peigné, Stéphane |author5=Morales, Jorge |title=Functional and Systematic Implications of the Postcranial Anatomy of a Late Miocene Feline (Carnivora, Felidae) from Batallones-1 (Madrid, Spain) |journal=Journal of Mammalian Evolution |volume=26 |pages=1–31 |year=2017 |doi=10.1007/s10914-017-9414-9|hdl=10261/225344 |s2cid=19719645 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

In 2017, a review of the species ''Felis pamiri'', which was named based on a snout fragment from Turkey and dated to the late Miocene, concluded that ''Felis pamiri'' and ''Pseudaelurus lorteti'' were likely closely related to each other, and ancestral to the ''Panthera'' lineage. Both species were reassigned to the genus ''[[Miopanthera]]'' as ''Miopanthera lorteti'' and ''Miopanthera pamiri''.<ref name=Peigne2017>{{cite journal |author1=Geraads, Denis |author2=Peigné, Stéphane |title=Re-appraisal of 'Felis' pamiri Ozansoy 1959 (Carnivora, Felidae) from the upper Miocene of Turkey: the earliest pantherin cat? |journal=Journal of Mammalian Evolution |volume=24 |issue=4 |pages=415–425 |year=2017 |url=https://hal.sorbonne-universite.fr/hal-01675275/document |doi=10.1007/s10914-016-9349-6|s2cid=207195894 }}</ref>

===Phylogeny===
The following cladogram is based on Piras et al. (2013)<ref name="PirasMaiorino2013">{{cite journal |author1=Piras, P. |author2=Maiorino, L. |author3=Teresi, L. |author4=Meloro, C. |author5=Lucci, F. |author6=Kotsakis, T. |author7=Raia, P. |title=Bite of the Cats: Relationships between Functional Integration and Mechanical Performance as Revealed by Mandible Geometry |journal=Systematic Biology |volume=62 |issue=6 |year=2013 |pages=878–900 |issn=1063-5157 |doi=10.1093/sysbio/syt053 |pmid=23925509|doi-access=free }}</ref> and illustrates the three more derived lineages that evolved from "''Pseudaelurus''" species.
{{clade |style=font-size:85%;line-height:85%;
|label1='''[[Felidae]]'''
|1={{clade
   |style1=background-color:#eeccFF;
   |label1=†''[[Proailurus]]''
   |1={{clade
      |caption=Proailurinae |captionstyle=text-align:middle;font-weight:bold;color:purple;padding:2px 10px 1px 1px;
      |1=†''Proailurus bourbonnensis''
      |2=†''Proailurus lemanensis''
      |3=†''Proailurus major''
      }}
   |label2=''"Pseudaelurus"''|sublabel2=''(grade)''
   |2={{clade
      |style1=background-color:#B0CEFF;
      |1={{clade
         |caption=Pseudaelurus lineage |captionstyle=text-align:right;font-weight:bold;color:blue;padding:2px 10px 1px 1px;
         |label1=†''Pseudaelurus''
         |1={{clade
            |1=†''Pseudaelurus quadridentatus''
            |2=†''Pseudaelurus cuspidatus''
            |3=†''Pseudaelurus guangheensis''
            }}
         |2=†'''[[Machairodontinae]]''' [[File:Smilodon_fatalis.jpg|50px]]
         }}
      |label2=†''[[Hyperailurictis]]''|style2=background-color:#FFB6B6;
      |2={{clade
         |caption=Hyperailurictis lineage |captionstyle=text-align:right;font-weight:bold;color:#882277;padding:2px 10px 1px 1px;
         |1=†''Hyperailurictis intrepidus''
         |2=†''Hyperailurictis marshi''
         |3=†''Hyperailurictis stouti''
         |4=†''Hyperailurictis validus''
         |5=†''Hyperailurictis skinneri''
         }}
      |label3=†''[[Sivaelurus]]''|style3=background-color:#ddddFF;
      |3=†''Sivaelurus chinjiensis''
      |style4=background-color:#CCFF99;
      |4={{clade
         |caption=Styriofelis lineage |captionstyle=text-align:right;font-weight:bold;color:green;padding:2px 10px 1px 1px;
         |label1=†''[[Styriofelis]]''
         |1={{clade
            |1=†''Styriofelis turnauensis''
            |2=†''Styriofelis romieviensis''
            }}
            |label2='''Felinae'''|sublabel2=''sensu lato''
         |2={{clade
            |1='''[[Felinae]]''' [[File:Anatomie_descriptive_et_comparative_du_chat_(1845)_Pl-I_(white_background_%26_colourised).jpg|50px]]
            |2={{clade
               |label1=†''[[Miopanthera]]''
               |1={{clade
                  |1=†''Miopanthera lorteti''
                  |2=†''Miopanthera pamiri''
                  }}
               |2='''[[Pantherinae]]''' [[File:Stamp-russia2014-save-russian-cats-(snow_leopard).png|50px]]
               }} }} }} }} }} }}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

* {{cite journal |last=Christiansen |first=Per |title=Phylogeny of the great cats (Felidae: Pantherinae), and the influence of fossil taxa and missing characters |journal=Cladistics |year=2008 |doi=10.1111/j.1096-0031.2008.00226.x |volume=24 |issue=6 |pages=977–992|pmid=34892880 |s2cid=84497516 |doi-access=free }}

{{Feliformia|Fel.|state=collapsed}}
{{Taxonbar|from1=Q132747|from2=Q27150052|from3=Q27150046|from4=Q27150048}}

[[Category:Prehistoric felids]]
[[Category:Miocene felids]]
[[Category:Tortonian extinctions]]
[[Category:Miocene mammals of Europe]]
[[Category:Miocene mammals of North America]]
[[Category:Prehistoric carnivoran genera]]
[[Category:Burdigalian first appearances]]
[[Category:Fossil taxa described in 1850]]