Vishnuictis

Vishnuictis Temporal range: Miocene–Pleistocene,
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Carnivora
Suborder:	Feliformia
Family:	Viverridae
Genus:	†Vishnuictis Pilgrim, 1932
Type species
†Vishnuictis hinduiensis
Species
†V. salmontanus †V. durandi †V. africana †V. chinjiensis †V. hariensis

Vishnuictis is an extinct genus of viverrid known from the Middle Miocene to Pleistocene of India, Pakistan, Kenya, and China. It is named Vishnu, one of the primary Hindu deities.

Description

Vishnuictis is one of the largest viverrids ever to exist with a head-body length of about 1.5–3.4 metres (4.9–11.2 ft) long and a weight of about 290–300 kilograms (640–660 lb). It was a giant civet with a large skull, sharp teeth, and powerful jaws, which suggest it was likely a faunivorous predator (unlike other giant civets which were primarily omnivorous or herbivorous). It was larger than other viverrids, and was likely the main predator of its area, preying on elephant calves, pigs, deer, antelopes, goats, and giraffe calves. It has been described as wolf-like in size and possibly appearance, but like all civets it was more closely related to cats and hyenas than to wolves.

Distribution

The oldest known fossil record of Vishnuictis is V. africana (named after the continent of Africa) from the Muruyur Formation of Kenya, which date to the Middle Miocene. In Asia, V. salmontanus has been reported from the Dhok Pathan Formation (Pakistan) and the Yuanmou Formation (China). V. hariensis is known from Late Miocene Nagri Formation (India). V. chinjiensis is reported from the Middle Miocene Chinji Formation of both India and Pakistan and is the oldest known Asian species of the genus.The species V. durandi and V. hinduensis have been reported from the Pliocene to Pleistocene Pinjor Formation (India).