Lutra euxena
Lutra euxena Temporal range: 2.588 to 0.012 Ma
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Extinct (0.012 Ma)
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Carnivora |
Family: | Mustelidae |
Genus: | Lutra |
Species: | †L. euxena
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Binomial name | |
†Lutra euxena Willemsen, 2006
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Synonyms | |
†Nesolutra euxena Bate 1935 |
Lutra euxena is an extinct species of otter that was endemic to Malta during the middle to late Pleistocene. The species likely went extinct because of human activity.[1][2]
Evolutionary history
The species lived in Malta between 2.588 and 0.012 Ma.,[3] having a relatively equal size to its mainland counterpart.[2] It along with its Mediterranean counterparts colonized islands by crossing sea channels that were up to 30 km across. Over time, these otters adopted a more land-based lifestyle, eating small mammals on islands alongside fish and shellfish.[1] It was discovered by John Bate.[4]
References
- ^ JSTOR 1312401.
- ^ S2CID 53700369.
- ^ "Nesolutra euxena". Palaeobiology Database. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
- ^ "Lutra euxena - The Recently Extinct Plants and Animals Database". recentlyextinctspecies.com. Retrieved 2021-11-05.