| Proteles | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Aardwolf(Proteles cristatus) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Suborder: | Feliformia |
| Family: | Hyaenidae |
| Subfamily: | Protelinae Saint-Hilaire, 1851 |
| Genus: | Proteles Saint-Hilaire, 1824 |
| Type species | |
| Viverra cristata Sparrman, 1783 | |
| Species | |
Proteles is a genus of distinctivehyenas which contain theaardwolf(Proteles cristatus) and its close fossil relatives.[1] It is the only extant genus of the subfamilyProtelinae.
While the oldest fossils definitely belonging toProteles date back to thePliocene, material from theMiocene dating to around 10 million years ago has been suggested to belong to the genus, which would significantly increase its temporal range.[2]
It has been suggested that the Proelinae subfamily may actually be an offshoot of the "running hyenas" (such asLycyaena) who adapted to an insectivorous diet due to increased competition from canines and felines.[3]
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| Proteles | |
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