Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Mammalia
Order : Carnivora
Family : Felidae
Subfamilies : Felinae, Pantherinae, Acinonychinae, Machairodontine (Extinct)
The Eocene Period was when the first true Felidae had appeared in history, however, because the smallest and barest of ancestors of the Felidae had been around for over 60 million years before the closest ancestry of the ape, when the first true species of cat appeared, it would be an intimidating one
They were was Machairodontinae. A subfamily of the Felidae (true cats) this early branch of cats that would commonly known as “saber-toothed cats”, including the famed genus Smilodon as well as other cats with only minor increases in the size and length of their canine teeth.
Depending on where they were stationed at, the region had effect on their tribe of evolution. Machairodonts initially became divided into two types: dirk-toothed and scimitar-toothed.
The more aggressive of the two tribes was the Machairodontinae Metailurini. They existed from the Miocene to early Pleistocene, with most species being found in Eurasia. Members of this tribe were all scimitar-toothed, (having broad and mildy elongated upper canines). The scimitar-toothed cats typically lither form with longer legs. The longer-toothed cats often had a bony flange that extended from their lower mandible.
A latter and less aggressive branch to come about was the Machairodontinae Smilodontini. As the name suggests, this group was the more famous genus of Smilodon. Various species of Smilodontini have lived in Africa, Eurasia, North America and South America. All of these are dirk-toothed cats, maning that they have long narrow upper canines and stocky, well muscled proportions.
However, one genus, broke this mold. Starting in Eurasia, where both of the first great ancestors of Felindae coexisted, the next genus would be born from the intermingling of both tribes. Possessing both the stout heavy limbs associated with dirk-toothed cats, and the stout canines of a scimitar-toothed cat, they would prove to be a superior hunter, in the area which would become the cradle of Felidae Civilization. They would become known as Machairodontinae Xenosmilus.
An interesting side-note of Xenosmilus was that they gained a new advantage over both ancestors. While they were confined to walking on all fours for the most part, this superior version of sabretooth tiger could manage considerable distance of walking on it’s hind-legs. A good technique for pouncing on prey with heavy mass and sharp teeth and claws, WITHOUT needing a height advantage.
“Fascinating,” Ami mumbled to herself as she scanned over the alternate history for earth with the Mercury Computer. “Most fascinating...”
Her eye twitching, Jupiter turned to the Sailor Senshi in blue. “I don’t see what’s so fascinating about watching one of OUR ancestors torn apart by a pack of vicious killers,” she said as she pointed to the time gates, which showed an ape getting pushed out of a tree by one of the Xenosmilius before three more tackled and tore into their shrieking prey.
Wincing, and not at the savagery, but at the glare she was getting from Saturn, Sailor Pluto continued on, “It may be one of our ancestors for now, but when we step out of this chronoplast...” she shuddered.
Blinking her eyes, Rei was the first to put voice to everyone’s thoughts. “What do you mean, Pluto?”
“As soon as we leave the Time Gates, our bodies will shift to fit that of this new reality...”
Everyone stared silently at Pluto as the timeline continued over the course of thousands of years. Machairodontinae Xenosmilus would evolve larger brains, and while still impressive, they would have slightly shorter canine-teeth, (a fall-back to their dirk-toothed ancestors). They would begin creating the makings of stone tools and the process of using fire to cook their meat. These differences and others are sufficient for anthropologists to classify them as a new species, the first ancestor of what would become this world's modern human: Felidae Erectus. In addition Felidae Erectus was the first human ancestor to walk not only on its hind-legs, but fully upright! This was made possible by the evolution of locking knees and a different location of the foramen magnum, (the hole in the skull where the spine enters).
And there would be a ritual which Felidae Erectus adapted to use. Instead of leaving them behind, the Felidae Erectus would begin burying their dead. Such an action would suggest that Felidae Erectus was the first ‘man’ to have a form of religious beliefs, which some suggest actually propelled this man’s evolution.
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(Posted Thu, 03 Aug 2006 17:54)
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