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Hystrix refossa
Extinct species of rodent From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Hystrix refossa is an extinct species of large porcupine that was widespread in Eurasia during the Pleistocene.
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Taxonomy
Hystrix refossa was first described by palaeontologist Paul Gervais in 1852. Over the years, other large species of Hystrix have been described, including H. angressi from Israel[2] and H. gigantea of Java.[3] These forms are now considered synonymous with H. refossa.[1]
Description
Hystrix refossa was larger than living porcupines. It was approximately 20% larger than its closest relative, the living Indian porcupine (H. indica), reaching lengths of over 115 cm (45 in). It also differs from the Indian porcupine in having a high and narrow occipital region, in the anteriorly convergent arrangement of maxillary cheek-teeth series, and in its mandible and the cheek-teeth pattern.[2]
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Paleoecology
The earliest remains of H. refossa are dated to the start of the Villafranchian and were found at the site of Milea, Grevena in northern Greece.[4] It presumably inhabited vegetated river banks within a mosaic of open and forested terrain under warm and humid conditions.
References
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