Fossil carnivores from the Leisey Shell Pits, Hillsborough County, Florida

Abstract

Thirteen species of carnivores have been recovered from the Leisey Shell Pits, late early Irvingtonian of Florida. These species include Armbruster's wolf Canis armbrusteri, the wolf coyote Canis edwardii, the gray fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus, the tremarctine bear Arctodus pristinus, the gracile sabercat Smilodon gracilis, the machairodont Homotherium sp., the bobcat Lynx rufus, the cheetah-like cat Miracinonyx inexpectatus, the raccoon Procyon lotor, the long-tailed weasel Mustela frenata, the spotted skunk Spilogale putorius, the river ottor Lutra canadensis, and the Caribbean monk seal Monachus tropicalis. Of significance, the Leisey carnivore fauna includes (1) the largest, most complete sample of Smilodon gracilis, and (2) the first Irvingtonian record from Florida of Lutra canadensis. The Leisey carnivores rank with those from Coleman 2A and Inglis IA as the most diverse carnivore faunas known from the Irvingtonian of Florida.