Albanosmilus
| Albanosmilus | |
|---|---|
| Cranium of Albanosmilus jourdani | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Suborder: | Feliformia |
| Family: | †Barbourofelidae |
| Tribe: | †Barbourofelini |
| Genus: | †Albanosmilus Kretzoi, 1929 |
| Type species | |
| Albanosmilus jourdani (Filhol, 1883) | |
| Other Species | |
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
A. jourdani
A. whitfordi
| |
Albanosmilus is an extinct genus of the family Barbourofelidae, within the tribe Barbourofelini. The genus currently consists of two named species: Albanosmilus jourdani and Albanosmilus whitfordi. Albanosmilus lived in Eurasia and North America from the Middle to Late Miocene from 12 to 7 mya.
A. jourdani was found in Eurasia and was the largest species of the genus. With estimates suggesting it could’ve weighed 80–100 kg (180–220 lb), making it as large as a jaguar and smaller than Barbourofelis fricki. Like Barbourofelis, A. jourdani was believed to have been an ambulatory, ambush predator and was likely an apex predator in its environment. A. whitfordi was endemic to North America and was smaller in size, more similar in size a leopard. Unlike A. jourdani, A. whitfordi was believed to have been a cursorial predator. In addition, Albanosmilus has been found within East Asia.