Comparison of Lower Carnassials of Cave Lion, Tiger, and Leopard

[Psittacosaurus]

Comparison of Lower Carnassials of Cave Lion, Tiger, and  Leopard

 

Here is a comparison between the lower carnassials (m1) of the three Panthera species that I own.

 

 

 

 

 

1. Size: from smallest to largest:

• Leopard: 1.86 cm
• Tiger: 2.54 cm
• Cave Lion: 2.7 cm

 

2. Morphology:

In image 1, the red circle indicates the metaconid and the green circle indicates the talonid.

 

1. The cave lion m1's metaconid is very well-developed (it should be more developed than modern lions), while the talonid is almost nonexistent.
2. The leopard m1 is noticeably much smaller, with a relatively pronounced but underdeveloped metaconid, and no talonid.
3. The tiger has an even smaller metaconid than the leopard, but the talonid is very well-developed.

 

 

So far, I have collected lower carnassials from three members of the Panthera genus, but I feel there may not be many more that can be purchased. My current aims are to acquire the lower carnassials of P. palaeosinensis/zdanskyi from the Equus fauna of Gansu, China,  and a leopard m1 from the Stegodon - Ailuropoda fauna from southwestern China.

 

One day, when I stop having to pay student loans being poor, I can look for the lower carnassials of jaguars and American lions; I don't have high hopes for other Panthera species.

 

 

Panthera (leo) spelaea:

 

Panthera tigris (probably amoyensis or acutidens):