Herpestides

Herpestides is an extinct genus of terrestrial carnivore that was endemic to North Africa and Southern Europe during the Early Miocene subepoch (22.4—20 mya) and existed for approximately 2.4 million years.

Taxonomy

Herpestides is considered to belong to the Aeluroidea group of cat-like carnivores and, in particular, to the Viverridae.

Four species are recognised:

• H. aegypticus
• H. aequatorialis
• H. antiquus
• H. compactus

References