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LONGCHUANSMILUS GEN. NOV. Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n: l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: 5EDA893F-E63F-4F0D-A6A7-A815CF116C01 Diagnosis: See diagnosis of the type species L. xingyongi. Etymology: The genus is named after the Longchuan River, which runs across the Yuanmou Basin, and Greek σµίλη, dagger.

TRIBE MACHAIRODONTINI GILL, 1872 Remarks: Most recent authors use Homotheriini to refer to the scimitar-toothed cat, including, e.g. Amphimachairodus, Homotherium, Lokotunjailurus Werdelin, 2003 Xenosmilus Martin et al., 2000, and sometimes Machairodus Kaup, 1833 (Turner & Antón, 1997; Werdelin et al., 2010). When Machairodus is included in this tribe, which is adopted here, the correct tribe name should then be Machairodontini Gill, 1872. In addition to the abovementioned genera, and the new genus described below, some smaller-sized species, e.g. derived species of Paramachaerodus like P. maximiliani McKenna & Bell, 1997, have a potential affinity to this tribe., Published as part of Jiangzuo, Qigao, Li, Shijie, Fu, Jiao, Duan, Shiqi Wang Xueping Ji Mei & Che, Decai, 2022, Fossil Felidae (Carnivora: Mammalia) from the Yuanmou hominid site, southern China (Late Miocene) and its significance in the living environment of the fossil ape, pp. 1156-1174 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 196 on page 1158, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab116, http://zenodo.org/record/7323717, {"references":["Werdelin L. 2003. Mio-Pliocene Carnivora from Lothagam, Kenya. In: Leakey MG, Harris, JD, eds. Lothagam: the dawn of humanity in eastern Africa. New York: Columbia University Press, 261 - 328.","Kaup JJ. 1833. Description d'ossements fossiles des Mammiferes inconnus jusqu'a present, qui se trouvent au Museum Grand-Ducal de Darmstadt. Carnassiers Fossiles. J. G. Heyer, libraire-editeur. Archiv fur Mineralogie 5: 150 - 158.","Turner A, Anton M. 1997. The big cats and their fossil relatives: an illustrated guide to their evolution and natural history. New York: Columbia University Press.","Werdelin L, Yamaguchi N, Johnson WE, O'Brien SJ. 2010. Phylogeny and evolution of cats (Felidae). In: Macdonald DW, Loveridge AJ, eds. Biology and conservation of wild felids. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 59 - 82."]}

Jiangzuo, Qigao, Li, Shijie, Fu, Jiao, Duan, Shiqi Wang Xueping Ji Mei, Che, Decai (2022): Fossil Felidae (Carnivora: Mammalia) from the Yuanmou hominid site, southern China (Late Miocene) and its significance in the living environment of the fossil ape. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 196: 1156-1174, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab116, URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab116

LONGCHUANSMILUS GEN. NOV. Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n: l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: 5EDA893F-E63F-4F0D-A6A7-A815CF116C01 Diagnosis: See diagnosis of the type species L. xingyongi. Etymology: The genus is named after the Longchuan River, which runs across the Yuanmou Basin, and Greek σµίλη, dagger., Published as part of Jiangzuo, Qigao, Li, Shijie, Fu, Jiao, Duan, Shiqi Wang Xueping Ji Mei & Che, Decai, 2022, Fossil Felidae (Carnivora: Mammalia) from the Yuanmou hominid site, southern China (Late Miocene) and its significance in the living environment of the fossil ape, pp. 1156-1174 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 196 on page 1159, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab116, http://zenodo.org/record/7323717

TRIBE METAILURINI Remarks: Our concept of Metailurini is largely similar to that used by Turner & Antón (1997) and Werdelin et al. (2010), only that we found most species of Paramachaerodus similar to Metailurus, and these two genera are likely to be closely related. Paramachaerodus does not show a closer affinity to Smilodontini than Metailurus does. The two derived species of Paramachaerodus have serrated canines and V-shaped incisors, and are unlikely to be ancestral to Smilodontini. Their positions are in need of further investigation., Published as part of Jiangzuo, Qigao, Li, Shijie, Fu, Jiao, Duan, Shiqi Wang Xueping Ji Mei & Che, Decai, 2022, Fossil Felidae (Carnivora: Mammalia) from the Yuanmou hominid site, southern China (Late Miocene) and its significance in the living environment of the fossil ape, pp. 1156-1174 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 196 on page 1163, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab116, http://zenodo.org/record/7323717, {"references":["Turner A, Anton M. 1997. The big cats and their fossil relatives: an illustrated guide to their evolution and natural history. New York: Columbia University Press.","Werdelin L, Yamaguchi N, Johnson WE, O'Brien SJ. 2010. Phylogeny and evolution of cats (Felidae). In: Macdonald DW, Loveridge AJ, eds. Biology and conservation of wild felids. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 59 - 82."]}

Partin Felis sp.1 Zong, 1997: 86. Material: PDYV2524.2, an isolated P4, from Locality 8801, Xiaohe. Description The isolate P4 PDYV2524.2 is smaller but more robust than that of Longchuansmilus xingyongi and PDYV2524.1. There is no distinct buccal concavity. The parastyle is small, with a tiny and indistinct preparastyle located slightly lingual to the parastyle. The protocone is located at the level between the parastyle and the paracone. It is only slightly reduced in size, larger than the corresponding one in Longchuansmilus xingyongi. SUBFAMILY FELINAE FISCHER, 1817 FELINAE GEN. & SP. INDET. (FIG. 3; TABLE 1) Material: RV2006020 (PDYV929), an isolated upper canine, from Locality 9904, Leilao; RV2006021 (PDYV375), an isolated lower canine, from Locality 9904, Leilao; RV2006022 (PDYV936), an isolated p4, from Locality 9803, Xiaohe; no catalogue number, an isolated p4; PDYV2575, an isolated m1; PDYV2526, an isolated m1, from Locality 9001, Xiaohe. Description Both upper and lower canines are conical, and both have a distinct buccal groove, but no lingual groove. The two p4s were similar to those of aff. Yoshi sp. but considerably smaller. The dental crown is slightly higher and the tooth is more slender. The accessory cuspids are generally smaller. The posterior cingulid is distinctly lower and not cusplike. The m1 is stouter. The talonid is smaller and also not distinguished from the protoconid. The buccal border is smoothly convex., Published as part of Jiangzuo, Qigao, Li, Shijie, Fu, Jiao, Duan, Shiqi Wang Xueping Ji Mei & Che, Decai, 2022, Fossil Felidae (Carnivora: Mammalia) from the Yuanmou hominid site, southern China (Late Miocene) and its significance in the living environment of the fossil ape, pp. 1156-1174 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 196 on page 1164, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab116, http://zenodo.org/record/7323717, {"references":["Zong GF. 1997. 5.3. 4 Carnivora. In: He ZQ, ed. Yuanmou Hominoid Fauna. Kunming: Yunnan Science and Technology Press, 69 - 88."]}

AFF. YOSHI SP. (FIG. 3; TABLES 1, 2) Partim Felis sp.1 Zong, 1997: 86. Felis sp.2 Zong, 1997: 87. Metailurus parvulus Qi, 2006: 175. Material: PDYV 2522.2, a fragmented upper canine, from Locality 8603, Zhupeng; YMV335, a broken upper canine, from Locality 8603, Zhupeng; PDYV2524.1, an isolated P4; RV2006023, an isolated p4; RV2006047 (PDYV328), an isolated p4, from Locality 9803, Xiaohe; PDYV2522.3, an isolated p4, from Locality 8704, Xiaohe; RV2006049, an isolated m1 (PDYV316), from Locality9803, Xiaohe; PDYV2525, one complete and one broken m1, from Locality 8801, Xiaohe. Description The fragmented upper canine PDYV2522.2 has a clear ridge on its anterior and posterior sides, but no serration is present. The broken canine YMV335 is similar. Even though partially reconstructed, it seems that the crown of the canine is high. The P4 PDYV2524.1 is elongated and slender. There is no preparastyle. The protocone is more anteriorly located, behind the level of the parastyle/paracone notch. Longchuansmilus xingyongi 0.50585.9012.340.15 The three p4s have similar morphology. There is no buccal or lingual concavity. The anterior and posterior accessory cuspids are similar in size, and the posterior cingulid is only slightly cusp-like. The two m1s are elongated, with a talonid not distinguished from the protoconid. The teeth are trapezium-shaped, with a nearly straight buccal border. The lingual border is concave between the paraconid and protoconid. The widest part of the tooth lies at the level between the paraconid and the protoconid. The broken m1 seems to be wider, and has a smoother buccal border, but no further information can be discussed. MACHAIRODONTINAE GEN. & SP. INDET. (FIG. 3; TABLE 2), Published as part of Jiangzuo, Qigao, Li, Shijie, Fu, Jiao, Duan, Shiqi Wang Xueping Ji Mei & Che, Decai, 2022, Fossil Felidae (Carnivora: Mammalia) from the Yuanmou hominid site, southern China (Late Miocene) and its significance in the living environment of the fossil ape, pp. 1156-1174 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 196 on pages 1163-1164, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab116, http://zenodo.org/record/7323717, {"references":["Zong GF. 1997. 5.3. 4 Carnivora. In: He ZQ, ed. Yuanmou Hominoid Fauna. Kunming: Yunnan Science and Technology Press, 69 - 88."]}

LONGCHUANSMILUS XINGYONGI SP. NOV. (FIGS 3, 4; TABLE 2) Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n: l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: AE047000-2CEB-4B18-9339-38B7AC13C139 Machairodus cf. maximiliani sp. Zong, 1997: 88. Holotype: YMV87001, a crushed partial cranium, lacking the zygomatic arch, with the poorly preserved basicranial part, from Locality 8603, Zhupeng. Assigned material: RV2006045 (PDYV1853), a broken upper canine, without tip, from Locality 9907, Leilao; RV2006045 (PDYV702), a broken upper canine, with only the tip, probably from Locality 9803, Xiaohe; PDYV2522.1, an isolated P3, probably from Locality 8801, Xiaohe. Etymology: The species name is given in honour of Xingyong Zhang, who has contributed greatly to the discovery and study of the fossils at the Yuanmou hominid site. Type locality: Yuanmou. Diagnosis: Medium-sized machairodontine of large jaguar size. Forehead not distinctly wider than rostrum, but frontal sinus well developed. Incisor moderate in size, not procumbent; canine narrow, with clear serration; no P2; P3 reduced in size, with distinct anterior accessory cusp; P4 with distinct preparastyle and moderately reduced protocone. Differential diagnosis: Differs from Machairodus by its smaller size, I2 with V-shaped posterior accessory cusp, more reduced P3 and P4 protocones; differs from Amphimachairodus by its distinctly smaller size, smaller and less procumbent incisor, more reduced P3; differs from Lokotunjailurus by smaller size, absence of P2, slightly larger P3, less elongated P4 with larger protocone; differs from Homotherium / Xenosmilus by its smaller size, distinctly smaller and much less procumbent incisor, larger P3 and P4 protocones, stronger P4 parastyle; differs from Paramachaerodus and Metailurus by its larger size, presence of distinct canine serration, smaller P3 and distinctly stronger P4 preparastyle and smaller protocone. Description The cranium is nearly complete, but unfortunately laterally crushed and somewhat deformed. The zygomatic arch is missing and poorly reconstructed by plaster. The posterior part of the sagittal crest is broken (so the total length of the skull cannot be established) and the basicranial part is poorly preserved. The cranium seems to have an angle in its dorsal profile, at the level of the anterior part of the braincase. In dorsal view, it can be seen that the rostrum has no postcanine constriction. No information on nasal shape and its boundary can be extracted due to poor preservation. The postorbital process of the frontal is small but distinct. The forehead is not widened, only slightly wider than the rostrum. It can be seen that the frontal sinus is well developed, expanding the postorbital constriction. The temporal ridges from both sides unite with the sagittal crest at the level between the postorbital constriction and the braincase. The sagittal crest is well developed. In lateral view, the mastoid process is largely broken, but judging from the remaining part, the mastoid process is significantly enlarged. There is nearly no trait that can be seen in the ventral view due to breakage. The bony choana extends significantly posterior to the tooth row. The glenoid fossa does not seem to elevate above the basicranial region. The incisor row is only slightly procumbent. The medial incisor is slightly enlarged. Judging from the facet, the posterior accessory cusps are V-shaped and ridge-like. The I3 is slightly enlarged, without an accessory cusp. The canine is narrow, with clear serration seen in the posterior side. (The situation in the anterior side is invisible) There is no P2. The P3 is reduced in size. It has a distinct anterior accessory cusp, located slightly medial to the main cusp. The lingual part of the tooth cannot be clearly seen due to poor preservation. The buccal border is concave between the main cusp and the posterior cingulum. The P4 has a narrow blade. The parastyle part is clearly elongated. Even though the tooth is heavily worn, it can be seen that the preparastyle is large and seems to be in line with the parastyle. The metacone is also elongated. The protocone is reduced in size. It is located at the level between the parastyle and paracone. There were two isolated canine fragments and one P3 that most likely belongs to this species. Both canine fragments have clear serrations on their edges. The P3 is in good preservation; it is nearly the same size as that of YMV87001 and has a similar tooth outline. The anterior accessory cusp is more lingually located than in the case of YMV87001. The postero-lingual convexity is distinct. The posterior cingulum has a distinct cusp. A single premolar RV2006046, which seems to be a p3, has a unique morphology. Weak serration can be seen in the tooth, a typical trait of Machairodontini, and seems to be too small for Amphimachairodus, which we tentatively assign to Longchuansmilus.

A MPHIMACHAIRODUS CF. HORRIBILIS S CHLOSSER, 1903 (FIG. 3; TABLE 1) Machairodus sp., Qi, 2006: 174. Material: RV2006048 (PDYV1222), an isolated p4, from Locality 9903, Leilao. Description: This p4 has a large size. The tooth is slightly widened posteriorly. The anterior accessory cuspid is distinctly larger than the posterior one. There is a tiny additional cuspid before the anterior accessory cuspid. The posterior cingulid is cusp-like., Published as part of Jiangzuo, Qigao, Li, Shijie, Fu, Jiao, Duan, Shiqi Wang Xueping Ji Mei & Che, Decai, 2022, Fossil Felidae (Carnivora: Mammalia) from the Yuanmou hominid site, southern China (Late Miocene) and its significance in the living environment of the fossil ape, pp. 1156-1174 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 196 on page 1158, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab116, http://zenodo.org/record/7323717

LONGCHUANSMILUS XINGYONGI SP. NOV. (FIGS 3, 4; TABLE 2) Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n: l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: AE047000-2CEB-4B18-9339-38B7AC13C139 Machairodus cf. maximiliani sp. Zong, 1997: 88. Holotype: YMV87001, a crushed partial cranium, lacking the zygomatic arch, with the poorly preserved basicranial part, from Locality 8603, Zhupeng. Assigned material: RV2006045 (PDYV1853), a broken upper canine, without tip, from Locality 9907, Leilao; RV2006045 (PDYV702), a broken upper canine, with only the tip, probably from Locality 9803, Xiaohe; PDYV2522.1, an isolated P3, probably from Locality 8801, Xiaohe. Etymology: The species name is given in honour of Xingyong Zhang, who has contributed greatly to the discovery and study of the fossils at the Yuanmou hominid site. Type locality: Yuanmou. Diagnosis: Medium-sized machairodontine of large jaguar size. Forehead not distinctly wider than rostrum, but frontal sinus well developed. Incisor moderate in size, not procumbent; canine narrow, with clear serration; no P2; P3 reduced in size, with distinct anterior accessory cusp; P4 with distinct preparastyle and moderately reduced protocone. Differential diagnosis: Differs from Machairodus by its smaller size, I2 with V-shaped posterior accessory cusp, more reduced P3 and P4 protocones; differs from Amphimachairodus by its distinctly smaller size, smaller and less procumbent incisor, more reduced P3; differs from Lokotunjailurus by smaller size, absence of P2, slightly larger P3, less elongated P4 with larger protocone; differs from Homotherium / Xenosmilus by its smaller size, distinctly smaller and much less procumbent incisor, larger P3 and P4 protocones, stronger P4 parastyle; differs from Paramachaerodus and Metailurus by its larger size, presence of distinct canine serration, smaller P3 and distinctly stronger P4 preparastyle and smaller protocone. Description The cranium is nearly complete, but unfortunately laterally crushed and somewhat deformed. The zygomatic arch is missing and poorly reconstructed by plaster. The posterior part of the sagittal crest is broken (so the total length of the skull cannot be established) and the basicranial part is poorly preserved. The cranium seems to have an angle in its dorsal profile, at the level of the anterior part of the braincase. In dorsal view, it can be seen that the rostrum has no postcanine constriction. No information on nasal shape and its boundary can be extracted due to poor preservation. The postorbital process of the frontal is small but distinct. The forehead is not widened, only slightly wider than the rostrum. It can be seen that the frontal sinus is well developed, expanding the postorbital constriction. The temporal ridges from both sides unite with the sagittal crest at the level between the postorbital constriction and the braincase. The sagittal crest is well developed. In lateral view, the mastoid process is largely broken, but judging from the remaining part, the mastoid process is significantly enlarged. There is nearly no trait that can be seen in the ventral view due to breakage. The bony choana extends significantly posterior to the tooth row. The glenoid fossa does not seem to elevate above the basicranial region. The incisor row is only slightly procumbent. The medial incisor is slightly enlarged. Judging from the facet, the posterior accessory cusps are V-shaped and ridge-like. The I3 is slightly enlarged, without an accessory cusp. The canine is narrow, with clear serration seen in the posterior side. (The situation in the anterior side is invisible) There is no P2. The P3 is reduced in size. It has a distinct anterior accessory cusp, located slightly medial to the main cusp. The lingual part of the tooth cannot be clearly seen due to poor preservation. The buccal border is concave between the main cusp and the posterior cingulum. The P4 has a narrow blade. The parastyle part is clearly elongated. Even though the tooth is heavily worn, it can be seen that the preparastyle is large and seems to be in line with the parastyle. The metacone is also elongated. The protocone is reduced in size. It is located at the level between the parastyle and paracone. There were two isolated canine fragments and one P3 that most likely belongs to this species. Both canine fragments have clear serrations on their edges. The P3 is in good preservation; it is nearly the same size as that of YMV87001 and has a similar tooth outline. The anterior accessory cusp is more lingually located than in the case of YMV87001. The postero-lingual convexity is distinct. The posterior cingulum has a distinct cusp. A single premolar RV2006046, which seems to be a p3, has a unique morphology. Weak serration can be seen in the tooth, a typical trait of Machairodontini, and seems to be too small for Amphimachairodus, which we tentatively assign to Longchuansmilus., Published as part of Jiangzuo, Qigao, Li, Shijie, Fu, Jiao, Duan, Shiqi Wang Xueping Ji Mei & Che, Decai, 2022, Fossil Felidae (Carnivora: Mammalia) from the Yuanmou hominid site, southern China (Late Miocene) and its significance in the living environment of the fossil ape, pp. 1156-1174 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 196 on pages 1159-1161, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab116, http://zenodo.org/record/7323717, {"references":["Zong GF. 1997. 5.3. 4 Carnivora. In: He ZQ, ed. Yuanmou Hominoid Fauna. Kunming: Yunnan Science and Technology Press, 69 - 88."]}