Lynx issiodorensis

Issoire lynx Temporal range: Villafranchian
Fossils
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Carnivora
Suborder:	Feliformia
Family:	Felidae
Subfamily:	Felinae
Genus:	Lynx
Species:	†L. issiodorensis
Binomial name
†Lynx issiodorensis (Croizet & Jobert, 1828)

The Issoire lynx (Lynx issiodorensis) is an extinct species of lynx that inhabited Europe during the late Pliocene to Pleistocene epoches, and may have originated in Africa during the late Pliocene. It is named after the town of Issoire where the first remains were found. It probably became extinct during the end of the last glacial period.

It is generally considered as the ancestor of all four species of lynx alive today. Its skeleton resembled that of living lynxes, but it had shorter and more robust limbs, with a larger head and longer neck. As a result, the Issoire lynx more closely resembled a typical member of the cat family than do its extant descendants.

Species descending from Lynx issiodorensis

• 
  Bobcat
  (Lynx rufus)
• 
  Canada lynx
  (Lynx canadensis)
• 
  Eurasian lynx
  (Lynx lynx)
• 
  Iberian lynx
  (Lynx pardinus)

External links

Data related to Lynx issiodorensis at Wikispecies